Racism in Colombia - Elmo covered racism towards the darker skinned folks, but I'm curious what about Asians ( Koreans, Japanese, etc.)

Grateful Dead says on Oct 25, 2007, 11:21:

They're cool with asians,they're cool with dark browns and blacks too, the other thread got out of control

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rhydewithdis says on Oct 25, 2007, 11:23:

Everyone is going to think you own a Chinese Food restaurant, because those are the only Asians there. haha... oh, and almost ALL of them spend their time and money in the Casinos (in Medellin anyway).

I'm Asian (albeit, of the sub-continent persuasion), and never have a problem when I tell them where I am from. Most people I've met think that India and they tell me how Indian customs are amazingly mystic, enchanting and sexy (think Kama Sutra, saris, and the hindu religion).

I hung out with one guy from NYC who is Asian (a major dork) while I was in Medellin... he was down there on vacation and to try and meet girls. Unfortunately he got no love. Why? 1) because he speaks ZERO spanish, 2) he dressed like a chump, and 3) he never picked up girls back in NYC which is TEEMING with women of all flavors. He clearly has no chance wherever he goes.

If you go to Sao Paulo, you'll notice there is a huge Japanese population there (the largest outside of Japan). I had a novia in SP that was half Brazilian/half Japanese (can I say her looks were WOWWW?!?!?).

They said I couldn't play football I was too small / They say I couldn't play basketball I wasn't tall / They say I couldn't play baseball at all / And now everyday of my life I ball.

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Grateful Dead says on Oct 25, 2007, 12:18:

"GD your living in la la land if you think that"

I might be , let me ask you what do you consider "white" in Colombia , would that be a Native pre Colombian culture mixed with Spanish ?

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Mononoke28 says on Oct 25, 2007, 12:58:

All Asians are Chinese in Colombia. You can say "no but she's from Japan", they'll still call her Chinese. It's weird.

Diana

Diana

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Chriscan says on Oct 25, 2007, 14:00:

One of the things I love about Colombia is that it is much less racist than your average country. Of course it always exsits but I think that Colombia has a lot to be proud of in this department.

As for the ¨All asians are Chinese comment¨ It remeinds me of an interview I saw with Fujimori (formor president of Peru). He had tears of joy in his eyes when he recalled the people chanting,¨Vive el presidente chino¨

************* WARNING ************* my words often come from my ass

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Chriscan says on Oct 25, 2007, 14:03:

A de mas

I had problems in Nieve as a gringo. When my Colombian girlfriend and I arrive in a new town. I wait at a resturant with the bags and she goes hotel shopping. Two places in Nieve said they were full when they saw her return with me. The one we stayed in didn´t seem to happy about me being there.

************* WARNING ************* my words often come from my ass

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Chriscan says on Oct 25, 2007, 14:36:

una cosa mas

To my girlfriend´s mother at least, if your spanish isn´t perfect, you are a gringo. It´s funny how in central america only americans are gringos, but in Colombia you don´t even have to be white. M gilrfriend´s mom would call someone from asia, africa or even Brazil a gringo.

************* WARNING ************* my words often come from my ass

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Oct 25, 2007, 14:39:

Como dice mi querida madre, En Colombia todo el mundo que hable medio enredao es GRINGO!

engage brain before opening mouth

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jtrapp says on Oct 25, 2007, 14:40:

Is gringo really deragatory anyway? Personally, I don't care if someone calls me a gringo - should I care.

I was renting a bike in Costa Rica once, and a little girl was at the desk. When I asked her if I could rent a bike, she ran off happily shouting, "Mama, Gringo aqui!"

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Grateful Dead says on Oct 25, 2007, 14:53:

Is gringo really deragatory anyway?

no

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Chriscan says on Oct 25, 2007, 15:11:

In Nicaragua it sure is. Panama too. The word was invented in Panama to tell the american soldiers in green to go.

In Colombia it is just a word.

************* WARNING ************* my words often come from my ass

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scarby558 says on Oct 25, 2007, 15:13:

At first, I thought it was... my fiances friends would all call me the gringa... but now I see it is normal.. and no one means to be oppressive or offensive by saying it. Good point Grateful Dead

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gringolondinense says on Oct 26, 2007, 01:24:

I really dont like the word Asian as a description of race. It has no meaning whatsoever.

The following people can all be called asian:
Japanese
Sri Lankans
Uzbeks

They dont have that much in common culturally, genetically, or religion to be grouped in that way.

Junk Science.

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morphus says on Oct 26, 2007, 04:38:

Most people see Asians as non threatening so there should'nt be a problem.

"I hung out with one guy from NYC who is Asian (a major dork) while I was in Medellin... he was down there on vacation and to try and meet girls. Unfortunately he got no love"

I hung out with a Asian guy in Medellin. He was young, not bad looking. A Paisa girl wispered to me in English "if he is here looking for girls, he's losing the time". I could'nt understand because there are so many fat, bald and ugly gringos getting some action.

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Timba says on Oct 26, 2007, 05:31:

Bogota is a little more 'cosmopolitan'.

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E-Man says on Nov 20, 2007, 08:05:

I am an Asian from the US (born in the US) and have traveled to Colombia twice and other latin american countires and will be going back to Colombia soon. I haven't been to Medellin but here are my thoughts about my visits:

1) There are Asians in Colombia but you will not see very many.
2) When they see you they will most likely think you are from Asia rather than the US.
3) The Colombians as well as in many Latin American countries will call you Chino if you look anything like a Chinese person even if you are Japanese or Korean. Don't take it negatively even if you are not Chinese, just accept it. It's not typically a derogatory comment.
4) The general perception is that you have money just like a white gringo from the US. Thus, people will try to charge you more money on goods. Just pay what you believe is fair.
5) If you are a guy looking for women, there are women that like Asian guys and obviously there are some that don't like Asian guys. If you are an Asian woman, many of the Colombian guys I talked to like Asian women.
6) Throw the preconceived racism out the door that you have encountered in the US and go to Colombia and enjoy the culture.
7) In order to be really accepted you will need to speak and understand some spanish and the culture. If you are outgoing (not being shy and so reserved like your typical Asian, especially since generally latino men are more aggressive in approaching women) and want to learn more about the culture you would be surprised how many nice people there are and people that are interested in you in Colombia. By communicating it throws out the preconceived ideas about you. The Colombians are proud people and value people that want to understand their culture.
8) As an Asian guy I did meet some Colombian women that were definitely very interested in me.
9) Colombia has some of the most beautiful women that value a good man. However, the women won't know you are a good man unless you communicate effectively.

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elmodefoque says on Nov 20, 2007, 08:52:

Here’s my honest assessment regarding Asians in Colombia.
You have a much better chance in Bogotá medllin and Cali.
In coastal cities machismo still prevails.
Unless you’re Bruce fokin Lee, they will see you as weak and guys will come on to your woman right in your face and if you don’t physically defend their honor, be ready to get dumped on the spot.
Listen I’m not a particularly young or good looking guy but I do have something going in curramba that attracts the wrong kind of women, mostly hookers and pre pagos, they think I'm a murderous PARACO drug dealing thug, which could not be further from the truth.
In curramba women are attracted by guys that get attention from other broads. And that happens to me quite often in the lower estrato places.
I was sitting with some female friends in a low life club in south curramba and this super hot young stunning broad sitting next to us started dancing for me, giving me the eye and moving all sexy and chit. I did not know that until my female friends pointed that out. I asked them, why the fok would that girl be interested in an old modefoque like me? and sure enough when I went to the men’s room for a quick picker upper there she was following me and when I came out cleaning my nose she winked at me, I look behind me to see if it was meant for another guy, no! she wanted me.
Anyway, if you do go to curramba, act tough, just like Bruce fokin Lee and you’ll do ok.
What ever you do, don’t have a pen sticking outta your shirt pocket, in Bogotá si but not in Barranquilla. good luck and happy chucha hunting

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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Miguel says on Nov 20, 2007, 10:46:

They are all chinos...take it to the bank.

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JumboBond007 says on Nov 20, 2007, 14:17:

Uzbekistan - not all of them are Asian. Many of them are of Russian descendents especially in Tashkent - capital of Uzbekistan

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john_stark says on Nov 20, 2007, 21:01:

If you're Asian, you're chino. If you're not from Latin America or Africa, you're gringo. From Africa you're negro. Latin Americans can be pigeon-holed from their accents.

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webmanco says on Nov 21, 2007, 02:27:

A girl from Malaysia, long time poster at PBH.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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elmodefoque says on Nov 21, 2007, 04:55:

"many colombianos like a hole and a heartbeat... jijiji diablitopaisa

i don't need no stinking heartbeat!

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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E-Man says on Nov 21, 2007, 15:38:

Agreed with gringoinbogota that the Asians typically stick to themselves in Colombia.

The comment: "many colombianos like a hole and a heartbeat... jijiji is hilarious.
The only color that counts to "Putas" (if that is what you are looking) is green.

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Chelesupercono says on Nov 21, 2007, 16:04:

Hey Elmo....how about a warm sand dune......

never go to bed with someone crazier then you are, you will do it and you will regret it.......

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