Why Can't I be a "Doctor" in Colombia?

Monita Linda says on Jul 26, 2008, 07:18:

In my Colombian family I do have someone with a PHD (in science), but no one calls him Doctor, ever.
In my experience only M.D.'s here get to be called Doctor or Doctora.

Poor but Preppy ______Colombia: the only risk is wanting to lay.

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Monita Linda says on Jul 26, 2008, 07:21:

Another peace of advise: let your ego go and go with the flow.. ENJOY you time in colombia!!!

Poor but Preppy ______Colombia: the only risk is wanting to lay.

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adrienne79 says on Jul 26, 2008, 07:28:

You say it is a cultural thing in the North to respect the name "doctor". I agree.

Here it is a cultural thing to get to be called Doctor in other circumstances. Get over it!

My husbad is called a doctor by all his students and coworkers. He only has a masters.

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Rikito says on Jul 26, 2008, 07:45:

Actually I am over it, but I also view this as a class struggle thing. The people who have the greatest impact on Colombia's economy are the workers and laborers. The rich people love to have all of these cute little designations that they do not deserve. I'm over it, but I feel sorry for those who make Colombia..Colombia.

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jul 26, 2008, 07:49:

Not all professional people are called "doctor" in Colombia. I would also think that this quite pictoresque and parochial usage of the honorific "doctor" varies widely from one region to another in Colombia. The medical professionals are, of course, called doctors, but so are lawyers, economists etc. especially if the hold an important position or are employed by the local government or state. This honorific used to be much, much more common when referring to me, female professionals got to be happy with being called "Do~na", this has changed, however, and female professionals of any field of study are also called "doctora".

Basically, and as I see it, I see it part of the local culture, even if it strikes me as paying homage to your superiors, as sucking upwards. It's the language of the maids, janitors, doormen, employees ...people who want to be make an impression, to be remembered when it's time to pay aguinaldos. It's just another little thing produced by class society and elitism in Colombia.

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

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Monita Linda says on Jul 26, 2008, 07:49:

the ones in my family with PHD deserved it, get over it. LOL

Poor but Preppy ______Colombia: the only risk is wanting to lay.

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ozgringo says on Jul 26, 2008, 08:35:

On the subject of names and titles, I have always wondered about the American habit of having names like Charles Whatever Jr III . If you aren't in line for a Lordship or Crown appointment does it really matter if you are the 2nd or 3rd? Last I checked the US was a republic.. just curious..

HRH the Gringo of Oz.. the first.. Jr .. Or maybe senior, I am sure there must be a little Oz gringo out there somewhere..dunno which country though..

tried to think of something deep to write here.. but couldn't think of anything..

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mrgizmo says on Jul 26, 2008, 09:05:

Perhaps this will somewhat answer your question:
A hillbilly from rural Colombia went to the city and bought a used and beat-up suit and necktie. With dirty shoes and the way he was dressed he looked like a street bum but felt he looked really good. As he walked down the street a shoe-shine boy asked: "Can I give you a shine, Doctor?'' The man was sooo impressed that he said, "go ahead.'' As the boy shine his shoes the hillbilly asked, "So, how did you know I was a Doctor?'' "Oh well, that's simple, the boy answered, here we call any Son of a Bitch a doctor.''

Behind every successful man, there's a nagging woman

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webmanco says on Jul 26, 2008, 09:09:

Doctorizimo Rikito, I do feel left out

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

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Gator says on Jul 26, 2008, 09:20:

Desi is correct, the Dr. is SOP for medicine and attorneys, others maybe maybe not depending on the degree and position held.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Bill Turley (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 26, 2008, 09:38:

droble77 says on Jul 26, 2008, 10:14:

I think I'd laugh if someone addressed me as "doctor tal-y-tal" . . . but I do like the ring of Señor or Don. . . ;-)

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britabroad says on Jul 26, 2008, 10:28:

I get called 'Doctor' by my maid too, sometimes. Which is a little weird as I only have 4 'O' Levels and used to read The Sun newspaper.

I'm told that it's a mark of respect and not uncommon - it's assumed that Gringos living here are well educated and professional types. Parking attendants (the guys with red hankys), beggars, the porteros where I live, and some of the builders I've come across also use the term. I actually don't like it much. It feels pretentious and demeaning to others.
However, I do like having a maid. I don't agree that it's BS to have one. Even some of the estrata 2&3 homes here have a maid. I'm not lazy and my arse isn't fat either. I employ two people, providing a home for one of them, paying their EPS, taxes, etc and realistic salaries. Both are displaced due to guerrilla activity in el campo and I'm happy to employ them, whereby helping them to get back on their feet a bit. And, of course, it's nice to have a spotless home, beautiful garden, and lovely meals cooked. We're grateful for their efforts (for which they get paid) and they enjoy working for us because we don't treat them like 2nd rate citizens.
Perhaps being called 'Doctor' is like being called 'Sir'. But how many of us have been knighted? And I don't see the House of Lords whinging about that.

Leave the big stick at home...carry a cannon!

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Lisa Zee says on Jul 26, 2008, 10:51:

Doctor RIkito:...... Embrace our Colombian culture.

I absolutely like the idea of having a maid, it makes my life easier, so I can enjoy life and work more productibly Think of one less unemployed person. If you want to get up extra early to scrub floors, clean toilets, wash and iron clothes, cook, instead of being productive with your job and life, that is your choice and your costume. Do not criticise how Colombians live, enjoy life Doctor Rikito.

Feliz Navidad!

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Alma del Norte says on Jul 26, 2008, 11:03:

Britabroad - the "Scum" newspaper eh? That's quite an admission. tsk tsk ;-)

La vida es una rutina

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papiChulo says on Jul 26, 2008, 11:08:

bravo Jack Jayson... "And trust me, every one in PBH knows the meaning of Phd, and think it is more insulting for people in PBH that an arrogant little man with some university courses tells us the meaning of Phd o what it stands for."

what a silly little thing to be bothered about in Colombia... I really wonder why some ppl bother.

some of the rudest people I know don't smoke

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adrienne79 says on Jul 26, 2008, 11:12:

If you are over it then why poke fun of the culture by "Now when we go to the store or just out ,I call anyone I do not know ‘doctor’ ".

I guess maturity and respect of cultural differences was not taught to you in all those years of education. Makes me wonder if you went to all those years of school just for the designation and now you realize there is a faster, easier way to become a doctor...live as a professional in Colombia.

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vicshere says on Jul 26, 2008, 11:42:

ouch :))

listo

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) says on Jul 26, 2008, 12:07:

Ha ha. Giz, you are absolutely dead on with that joke. I have heard that since I was a kid in Colombia.

This practice used to be even more commmon. In any case, the OP really needs to get over it.

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utopiacowboy says on Jul 26, 2008, 12:34:

BS: Bull shit.
MS: More Shit.
PhD: Piled Higher and Deeper.

Whenever I go to Colombia I'm a doctor: amateur gynecologist.

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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quantum says on Jul 26, 2008, 12:49:

Imagine, all that education and no spelling and grammar lessons......

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papiChulo says on Jul 26, 2008, 13:33:

utopiacowboy... that was good...LOL

some of the rudest people I know don't smoke

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Chriscan says on Jul 26, 2008, 13:46:

You're a doctor of philosphomy?

I'm a dentist of toe nails!

Call me doctor, doctor

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

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Coffeeman says on Jul 26, 2008, 20:13:

As far as I am concerned, the Colombians use of Doctor is quaint and ok by me. Rikto, I would not loose sleep over it. By the way, I see you made a career of schooling (over 17 years), good for you. How have you made use of it? I have seen alot of people with less education become very successful and make the most of their learning. Likewise, I have seen just the opposite. What was you undergraduate degree in?
In my 25 years (and still counting) I have worked for the government and many private corporations. There are alot of people with degrees in Public Administration that are, well worthless. They only end up increasing the complexity of the government programs to a point of dis-functionality. Since all of us wipe our butts the same way, perceived superiority only exist in our own minds.
Doctor Rikto, use you MS in Philosophy to figure this out, and your Phd in government to create a public program to implement the "Mandatory Doctor salutations greeting ordinance"

On a lighter note!
My favorite translation of BS, MS, and Phd are "Bullshit", "More of the Same", and "Piled higher, and deeper"

Please don't tell me you teach, cuz you know that old saying.

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mrgizmo says on Jul 27, 2008, 10:27:

All kidding aside, the title of Doctor or Doctora is simply a title of respect and humbleness from the person who says it. it's the same as Don or Doña.
They know you are NOT a medical doctor or that you DON'T have a PhD (doctorate) but again, it's simply a title of respect to the person you are addressing and a sign of humbleness.

Behind every successful man, there's a nagging woman

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Lisa Zee says on Jul 27, 2008, 10:33:

I agree.

Feliz Navidad!

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vicshere says on Jul 27, 2008, 10:44:

then i would like to be refered to as Dr. Prick...i mean Dr. Vic

listo

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papiChulo says on Jul 27, 2008, 11:30:

I'm not a doctor but I play one in Colombia... ;)

some of the rudest people I know don't smoke

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Gator says on Jul 27, 2008, 13:10:

Better than being called a "mo fo" in the USA, I guess.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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dwmte7 says on Jul 27, 2008, 17:11:

heh jack...you musta got up this morning and had nails for breakfast. what's up doc?

dwmte

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Gator says on Jul 27, 2008, 18:32:

Nada absolutamente nada;

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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britabroad says on Jul 28, 2008, 10:30:

Alma,

Sometimes the news written in the scum newspaper, The Sun, is preferable to what's really happenning in the world. Also, there's always 'Page 3'. lol

Leave the big stick at home...carry a cannon!

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aztec says on Jul 29, 2008, 08:50:

You are in Colombia. Go with the flow.

Even the lowest secretary with a little power may at some times be referred to as doctor. It is a way of showing them respect.

Unfortunately, too often it is used as a way to infer superior status on an individual. It can be very offensive if you are on the receiving end of a dismissal by one of these people.

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rocinante says on Aug 4, 2008, 15:36:

Having a hard time with the culture? Like when someone in the US calls you "boss" or "brother" or "bro". Does it really mean you are their boss or cuz?

"Whenever I go to Colombia I'm a doctor: amateur gynecologist." UTC

I heard there's alot of openings in that field.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Not that the US president actually runs the US." Feb 5, 2008

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