The obsession with age

Mr. Hollywood says on Apr 9, 2004, 13:28:

Well, you geezer It's just a single data point, but I've been in Colombia more than a month now, in constant contact with locals, and nobody has asked me my age (Then again, I look exactly like Brad Pitt so maybe they just assume I'm 41 ;) Back when I was a teacher in the United States I got asked my age constantly from students, so maybe it's a student thing, not a cultural one. You might find the same curiousity here that you do in Mexico if you're teaching English still.

On the looks front, yes, Colombians devote a lot of energy to looking good, which is why they do look so good most of the time. Lots of working out. Lots of plastic surgery (I think, judging by some of the bodies I see). Lots of sexy clothes on the women and sharp suits on the men. On the whole it's nice. I can see how it might be very difficult to be a woman here trying to age gracefully without getting steamrolled by the youth obsession.

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Skippy says on Apr 9, 2004, 13:37:

Damn I guess I need to join the gym and stop pigging out on tacos.


Here in Mexico many people are fat. It is unbelieveable the rate of obeasity here. Girls walk around with half shirts and stomachs hanging out. The men are nicknamed "Gordo" most of the time yet feel that they are sexiest men on earth, its all that macho crap. I guess Colombia like Brazil is very much into diet and exercise. I like that. I lost a lot of weight living in Brazil and I was hard pressed to find a fat girl like here in Mexico.

Yup

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Mr. Hollywood says on Apr 9, 2004, 13:44:

Very different Colombia is very different from Mexico. The general diet is much healthier so you don't see that manteca-induced layer of fat that's so common in Mexico.

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Apr 9, 2004, 15:57:

age thingie Colombia is a nation of young people. If you chech the demographic charts you'll find out that that a 30-50 % of the people are under 30 years of age.
Oh, there's a plenty of tne good old manteca in Colombia too...the empanadas are fried in manteca, the tamales are fatty, the chorizos, the fritanga, almost everything is fried in in oil. The rest has a high sugar content...

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Sam Salmon says on Apr 9, 2004, 22:15:

I saw a lot of svelte young women pigging out on fruit salads smothered in ice cream and especially cheese-they aren't going to stay svelte for too many more years-matron hood awaits.
Also the men all dye their hair black or even brown-funny as hell with those big sad campesinos mugs they have after 40.


' a la orden!'

' a la orden!'

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asmith says on Apr 9, 2004, 23:31:

obsession about age Dear Sir: Age is great, matter of fact it may be used to ones advantage. Age is a measure of time and time only. If you think of yourself as being old, you are. Mental attitude and physical health as well as definiton of the body is most important. With age and some intelligence one may acquire some wisdom. Young people have not experienced enough of life to reflect upon age nor, can they imagine much of anything. I am sure we will get some responses to this post, have at it youngbloods, give it your best shot or if you are wise you will inquire. More to follow.

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Skippy says on Apr 10, 2004, 12:40:

Good one Yes, I agree with you. Age usually equals wisdom to some degree. I love how some of my male students who are in their late twenties and early thirties walk around like bigshots all very macho. Yet, they have never left their country nor have they left their homes. They live with their mommies who protect them until about 30 years old. Where is the wisdom in that? It has nothing to do with money as many of them are well off.

Yup

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AngelGabriel says on Apr 11, 2004, 13:02:

40 & Up Hello
"Many people believe that if you are 40 years old forget about meeting a woman, you are finished"
If this a general assumption in the States or in other places? Why would people think of single man no kids at the age of 40? I'm in my twenties, I'd see that as perfectly fine. Is it a requirement being
"married"? Would surely like to have a steady, loving, interesting company as I grow into my late 40s & beyond...Thanks!

Siente el Mambo YoYo

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emero says on Apr 16, 2004, 05:30:

37 and 25 just to confuse matters i'm 37 and my colombian boyfriend is 25, he prefer older women always has done I think it's down to how you feel in yourself, not about age...

hugs Diane x

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mafalda.edna says on Apr 16, 2004, 13:02:

it's not a latinamerican thing Shane I am assuming you are from the US, let me tell you that I have experienced more “discrimination” in the US for being 28, single and fat that I did in Colombia. In general Colombians are thin and it is not uncommon to be over 30 and be single but here in the States that is almost a curse especially if you are a woman, they look down on you and wonder what is wrong with you. Men can be as fat as they want to and still expect women to be thin. A guy that is 40 and single, would be consider sexy but a woman that is 40 and single has no chance whatsoever. So obsession with age and looks is everywhere if you can put up with the pressure in the US we can put up with the pressure anywhere else.

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asmith says on Apr 17, 2004, 13:23:

Its not a Latinamerican Thing Hey wait a minute, yes there is fat discrimination in Pan America, that includes the U.S. a little extra may be ok even plump but fat is a lot diffrent. Please do not tell me that God made you that way, you did it by eating what you ate, period. If one does not like the way that they are only that person can change it. What ever it is. Please be advised: Women over forty have a great deal more to offer than a twenty year old girl. If you want to baby sit, get a young and dumb one. An older woman knows how to act and perform in every situation unless they are on drugs. A mature latina beauty is better, I speak from experience, personally, I would not waste my time on those younger than 30. Really, what do they know???? Not much. Because they do not have much experience in life,period.Latins are kind and only discriminate with Indigenous Peoples .

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asmith says on Apr 17, 2004, 13:28:

Its not a Latinamerican Thing Hey wait a minute, yes there is fat discrimination in Pan America, that includes the U.S. a little extra may be ok even plump but fat is a lot diffrent. Please do not tell me that God made you that way, you did it by eating what you ate, period. If one does not like the way that they are only that person can change it. What ever it is. Please be advised: Women over forty have a great deal more to offer than a twenty year old girl. If you want to baby sit, get a young and dumb one. An older woman knows how to act and perform in every situation unless they are on drugs. A mature latina beauty is better, I speak from experience, personally, I would not waste my time on those younger than 30. Really, what do they know???? Not much. Because they do not have much experience in life,period.

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Apr 17, 2004, 13:33:

age bias in Colombia If anything, people in Colombia mix freely in different age groups. I feel it is a refreshing thing, after experiencing the strict age segregation in the Nordic countries. To go out to have fun people do choose places where they can meet people of their own age, it's only natural. However, in Colombia you can see a grandmother doing an elegant salsa number on the dance floor with a man half her age...maybe a nephew or something:) People are not restricted to their own age groups but move much more freely over the generation gaps.
Many Colombian men like older women; they find them more stable and more interesting. Provided that some of them are only after a quick adventure and some others have unresolved mother complex, there are still many who think that a woman a few years older is just fine. There's more flexibility.

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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mafalda.edna says on Apr 18, 2004, 14:26:

Latina BEAUTY I agree with you asmith, in the fact that a little extra or plump is ok and fat in way different but I don’t think everybody sees it that way. I am not 400 lbs but I get discriminated just as if I was 10 or 100 lbs overweighed makes no difference for most men, as I said before they just expect women to be thin or skinny. I also agree God did not do us this way and we are responsible for what we do with our bodies. I just find it funny that in a country like the US where there is people that are insanely fat there is also so much obsession over looks. Let me also point out that you mentioned "a mature Latina BEAUTY", this clearly shows my point, men in their macho head think they deserve a beauty and what does beauty mean for them? I’m sure I don’t have to tell you because we all know.

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crazyforcolombia says on Apr 22, 2004, 05:41:

Age Gracefully I don't think colombians have an obsession with age,I do think the younger generation have an obsession with their looks,but that it natural,the older generation is happy to grow old gracefully.
Whatever the age, Colombians have a great diet,with all the fruits and meats,I would say go to colombia and there you find you a new lease of life,as the people are so friendly,they do not care what your age is,they except you for who you are,I personally recommend Cali to find yourself

Crazy For Colombia

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