There goes the neighborhood

Albatross says on Mar 2, 2005, 05:17:

. But I thought everyone loved "progress"...

“Democracy - a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H.L. Mencken

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Mar 2, 2005, 05:24:

I like starbuck and TGI. I like starbuck and TGI

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Lola63 says on Mar 2, 2005, 08:04:

is this really "progress"??? I think it's a terribly sad thing that these giant chains are taking over the world. Colombia has great things to offer, lets keep it that way. I think people compare "progress" with becoming "americanized".

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Mr. Hollywood says on Mar 2, 2005, 08:06:

Tony Roma There's been a Tony Roma in Bogota for a while. It's in Andino mall.

What's weird to me is that Dunkin' Donuts is in Colombia. Just seems like such a throwback to the 1970s in the USA that it wouldn't be a big export, but what do I know.

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Albatross says on Mar 2, 2005, 08:11:

;) Of course I was being sarcastic...

I avoid Starbucks, TGI Fridays, ect. even in my own country... I'm not looking for them elsewhere.

Now if I could only give up Big Macs and Budweiser...

“Democracy - a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H.L. Mencken

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teppar says on Mar 2, 2005, 08:16:

come to the middle east... we've got mcdonalds, starbucks, burger king, tgifridays, dunkin donuts...you name it, we've got the america export...of course i have to say no tony roma's yet....so perhaps we're one step ahead of the game still ;-)

cheers

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claudia82 says on Mar 2, 2005, 08:23:

spigrimace Wow, such an american way of seeing the world...americanized meaning "progress" if you want the entire world to be like the USA, why don't you just stay there

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utopiacowboy says on Mar 2, 2005, 08:25:

They have had this type of place in Medellin for quite some time. Most of the locals do not patronize them as they are too expensive. I showed my wife the National Geographic article about Medellin and asked her if she had ever been in Mambo's, a night spot pictured in the article. She said only once - it was just too expensive to go there.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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dwmte says on Mar 2, 2005, 08:27:

in 1989.... in upper poblado by parke llaneras, there was a gucci and a oshkosh for kids.

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dwmte says on Mar 2, 2005, 08:29:

oops... and a haagandaz by el parke in '95 or 96.

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michaelz says on Mar 2, 2005, 08:50:

cali tony romas There has been a Tony Romas rib place in Cali for some time. Its in a hotel near the Intercontinental. I've eaten there with my girlfriend (her choice) and the barbeque was lousy.

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juanalejo says on Mar 2, 2005, 08:53:

American Restaurants have been off and on in Colombia for a good number of years just like basically anywhere in the world. There a not considered neither extremely exclusive nor cheap either. Tony Romas in Medellin had been the revolving restaurant on top of the Dann Carlton hotel since I can remember. But that kind of places are not uncommon. In Bogotá there are two TGI Fridays, Houston´s, Hard Rock Cafe, Tony Romas, Mr Ribs, there used to be a Benihana but closed down, there used to be Burger King chain but did not do well, neither did KFC which still has a few around nor did Wendy´s which fell in competition to El Corral for obvious reasons. Dunking Donuts, Baskin Robins and even Canadian chain Yogen Fruz is around, and obviously Mc Donalds.

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michaelz says on Mar 2, 2005, 12:16:

excuse me too Most of what the USA imports is commodities (coffee, roses etc) that are the same everywhere, or consumer goods made to the US pattern. Those are not the issue.

The US is exporting its culture (for both good and ill), not just goods. I see many american restaurants in other countries, but few or no foreign restaurants in the USA. How many Karen's Pizzasm or Frisby Burgers, or El Corrals (or Tim Hortons for that matter) do you see in the USA? Would such chains even exist without the influence of the USA. Look at the films in any colombian theatre - 80% USA. Meanwhile, one film from colombia makes it in the USA (Maria Full of Grace) and its a big deal.

You may like it, or you may not, but USA culture is rapidly taking over. If this means more democracy, and less corruption, that is a good thing. When it means mindless consumerism, obesity and laziness, maybe its not.

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william_andrew_channell says on Mar 2, 2005, 12:16:

I'm from Alabama, land of BBQ and ribs. We know ribs and I'd never even heard of Tony Romas until I saw it in Andino, apparently it's popular in the states (or at least the parts that don't know what BBQ is). Didn't look too good, and I'm not going to eat there because I already had one bad experience with ribs here; Mr Ribs sucks above anything else in this world. I'm just waiting for a Dreamland in Bogota.

www.dreamlandbbq.com

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william_andrew_channell says on Mar 2, 2005, 12:18:

Teppar,
I don't picture a Tony Romas in the Middle East anytime soon. How well do you think BBQ would go over in Kosher and Halal countries?

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Mar 2, 2005, 13:31:

We just chucky cheese and hoo We just need chucky cheese and hooters :-)

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cremaster says on Mar 2, 2005, 13:38:

michael Tim Hortons was bought by Wendys a few years ago. And, they are trying to open stores in the US. I think that they`re starting with the Midwest - Ohio, Michigan or somewhere close.

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fzrdan says on Mar 2, 2005, 14:31:

These places wouldn't be in other countries if there wasn't a demand for them. If Tony Roma's opened up but nobody ever went there, the place would close. Before you complain to the people who own these chains, maybe you should complain to the people that patronize them.

It is not McDonalds fault people in the US are fat. If the fat idiots could control what they ate and only had this junk in moderation, they wouldn't be fat. Same goes for these places in other countries.

You have a choice. Eat there or not. Watch the movie or not. Listen to the music or not. Instead you bitch and moan that the US is taking over the world with its culture. Whatever.

As far as movies go. Guess what. Catalina makes one movie and now she lives in New York. Why do you think that is? Because she wants tons of money and to be famous. She will not get that making movies in Colombia. The whaa meter is pegged for you.

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juanalejo says on Mar 2, 2005, 14:48:

demand I hope those of you who insist that the demand for drugs has to do with those who buy it and not those who sell it remember one of the basic principles of capitalism as exposed by FZRDAN. Just for the record.

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chismoso says on Mar 2, 2005, 14:58:

Every Opinion – Backed By Cash! I have to say, I can't argue with fzrdan. Each time you spend a dollar (or a peso or a cruzeiro) you're VOTING. No one should pay the least attention to the words escaping your flapping lips if they're contradicted by your spending habits, don'cha THINK?

(I admit it. I've sat in the funky little plastic chairs at Dunkin Donutl I even had the cojones to ENJOY it!!)

But personally, I usually look for a Starbucks first, but then look for the little Mom & Pop coffee bar across the street that was there first and vote my dollars there instead.

For perspective though – true though all this may be, let's not get mired in ire and vitriol. Don't lose your sense of humor. We're all so ridiculously silly. It doesn't really matter. Save your mad-juice for stuff like treachery, violence, cancer!

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YEP says on Mar 2, 2005, 15:17:

He he ... Albatross ;-)

Now if I could only give up Big Macs and Budweiser...

------------------------------------------------------------------- Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

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Lorenzo de Australia says on Mar 2, 2005, 18:55:

Haagan Daas in Medellin? Hey was that Haagan Daas in Medellin, or in Botota or somewhere else???

****** ******
"...don't let life get in the way of living..."
Lorenzo 2004

Also, if you want to email me directly... as I'm not always that good with forums... email me at lorrytrippin2 at yahoo.com

****** ******

****** ****** "...don't let life get in the way of living..." Lorenzo 2004 Also, if you want to email me directly... as I'm not always that good with forums... email me at lorrytrippin2@yahoo.com ****** ******

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michaelz says on Mar 3, 2005, 04:04:

Tim Hortons Glad to see Tim Hortons may come to the USA.

As to various other posts, I don't recall saying that the Americanizing of the world is all bad. Many third world countries would do well to copy our governmental and business model.

In fact, I like seeing familiar restaurants. After a few days of beans,rice and pork, a good burger of pizza hits the spot. But it is undeniable that the "Americanization" of consumer culture it taking place, even in Colombia. My girlfriend complains all of the time that her nephew is "muy gordo" and that all he ever wants to do is eat in McDonalds. His mother frequently gives in because a. its cheap, b. it shuts him up, c. he can play in Ronald-land.

Yeah, yeah, thats her choice and is not McDonalds fault, but doesn't the situation kind of remind you of a certain large northern neighbor? I doubt if this was common in Colombia 20 or 30 years ago.

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Thededalus says on Mar 3, 2005, 05:27:

Tim Hortons I live in Dayton, OH, and we have at least two Tim Horton's now.

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spigrimace says on Mar 3, 2005, 06:21:

Claudia82 Not really sure how you took my post as saying this was progress or that I was happy about it. And I don`t think you realize how rude it is to tell someone who has taken the initiative and balls to invest in your country and gives many Colombians full time work, to go back home. Maybe you just don`t like Americans? Maybe I shouldn´t have used American phrases like "There goes the neighborhood" (means things are changing and one is helpless to stop it) or My jaw hit the ground (means astonished). Or maybe you are closed-minded to sharing culture vs. the vast majority of Americans that are used to sharing, expericiencing and respecting other cultures as immigrants from all over the world make up the U.S.

As for people saying that the American restaurants are taking over the world, I can give an example of a Central American chain thats started in Guatemala that is quickly gobbling up market share in the US (currently NYC, LA and Miami) named Pollo Campero. I go to the one outside Shea Stadium all the time when in NYC and typically I`m the only caucasian there but it`s just as delicious as when I ate it in Guatemala. And I`m not telling the owner to go back there.

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dwmte says on Mar 3, 2005, 09:53:

hagaan daz... yup...that's in medellin, in el poblado, where a dish of ice cream--a couple of scoops--costs about u.s.$4.50. not bad, eh? love progress.

i can remember sitting there eating a dish of ice cream in their out door patio and watching the poor street children watching me eat this unafortdable delight. what a shame (on me) and pity (for them).

dw.

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YEP says on Mar 3, 2005, 10:16:

Spigrimace ...... oh .... please enlighten me then
What is the primal goal of a company ..... red/black figures ..... so they're not going there if they didn't see an economic advantage of doing it. ;-)


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Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

------------------------------------------------------------------- Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

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dwmte says on Mar 4, 2005, 10:06:

i was just out in the garage... i'm having a garage sale and lo and behold!!! there's a tony roma's hat from aruba...aruba?

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Lionheart says on Mar 4, 2005, 10:25:

real black numbers Tinto, you probably have details on this:

From what I have been seeing is that while consumer markets are moving world-wide from the USA, the real money-makers in the USA are being bought up by European corporations, many own the consumer markets. From what I see is that the "American way of business" is failing in its own country, after they failed in Europe. This business is where I used to make money, and I followed it 10 years ago when it failed in Germany. Now it is crumbling here. I wouldn't be surprised to see the actual owners of TGI, Starbucks etc to turn out to be Europeans soon, if it's not already the case when you add up the shareholders. Follow this trend, and you will see Europe owning businesses in Colombia, using US names.

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vladimiro says on Mar 4, 2005, 11:26:

TOny Roma's The Tony Roma's, TGI Friday's and Hard Rocks might do ok in Bogota which has a large foriegn and American comunity but I doubt they would do well in Medellin. Unlike the McDonald's in Medellin which only the wealthy Colombians can afford, I doubt there too many people that have ever heard of Tony Roma's or TGI Firday's.

My American co-workers in Bogota eat at TGI's every single night when they're in town....Now atleast there'll be a place I can take them in Medellin where they can feel more comfortable:)

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Lionheart says on Mar 4, 2005, 12:11:

sad sad US history I worked for multi-national companies in Europe, the US visitors only ate US fast food wherever they were ... except getting drunk in the Hofbrauhaus in Munich ... I wonder if that is the secret weapon, get rid of fast food and the US will die of starvation?

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YEP says on Mar 4, 2005, 12:26:

Nah ... LH ....
Just tell them that one 33cl beer is equal to 2 slices of "dark bread", that would actually solve several issues ;-)

Eating by drinking
Happy factor up (no need for medicals doing the same)
running from the table to the toilet would make up for the excersize

ROFL
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Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

------------------------------------------------------------------- Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

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Lionheart says on Mar 4, 2005, 12:39:

beer = food Germans call beer "fluessiges Brot" = liquid bread

US don't have good dark bread, all they know is Pumpernickel. Okay, I want to proclaim the new diet: Beer Diet, all natural and healthy ...

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cremaster says on Mar 4, 2005, 12:51:

Beer diet A friend of mine went on the `beer diet` while in University.

He actually lost a few pounds in one week. Although his grades suffered!

Patrick

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YEP says on Mar 4, 2005, 14:45:

Ich will ein "OCTOBERFEST"
aka .... Ik bin ain Münchener (I'm from Munich ;-) )

Hell LH .... lets make an OCTOBERFEST association in Colombia ;-)

Kind of warm up for all the things that takes place in December/january and carnevals down there ;-)


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Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

------------------------------------------------------------------- Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

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Lionheart says on Mar 4, 2005, 16:01:

all for it This is funny ... we keep returning to my German Gasthaus concept for Cali ... have an Octoberfest there until the season for carneval kicks in, having a good time 365 days a year ...

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YEP says on Mar 4, 2005, 16:37:

ROFL
Yeah Colombian made "Pretchels".

Hmmm "Marit" can we rent your Patio. LH and I will do the theme-parties ;-)


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Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

------------------------------------------------------------------- Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Mar 5, 2005, 03:27:

I'm sure that you'll be able to rent my patio:) I'll have to get that damn house fixed first, it's raining like crazy in Cali, all the southern barrios are under water and my roof is probably leaking in several places...
Cheers,
Desi

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

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