Hair vs Shaved

[whitey]

I'm going with Utopiacowboy on this.  If you have blond hair I would definitely grow it out as Latinas go ga-ga over blonde haired guys.  If you have blue eyes that is another BIG plus.  While we are in the looks department if you have a mustache say goodbye to it as 99.9 percent of Colombian women hate them.  Buy some name brand clothes, leave the shorts and flip flops at home, get a manicure and bring along some nice shoes.

I hope you are practicing your Spanish and that you take your time looking for a wife because at your age you can afford to do so.

Good advice.  I would add that it's better to get the manicure when you arrive in Colombia ... much much cheaper and more fun ...

[Researcher]

So I´m told amigo...

     WHEW!! Thanks for clarifying.


      Researcher

[InnocentVixen]

haha yes Jeff, I just said bad guys for short because they can also end up looking like a biker or If the guy is really really white with a shaven head it makes me think of the ku klux clan, if he on top of that shaves his facial hair and his eyebrows are so small and blond you don't really notice them, makes me think of someone sick with cancer.

But then again I am not exactly into it so that might be why I have such negative thoughts about it, also I am not a colombiana and I am not attracted to men who have manicures and wear designer clothes (I do appreciate a well dressed man of course but could care less about brands)... in fact now that I think about it some women go for that kind of man here in Mexico, most are very materialistic though.

That being said, if you don't feel comfortable without shaving, wouldn't be easier to find someone that accepts you that way from the start? it will probably be less of a shock than meeting you with a head full of hair that they might love just to see it gone on the second date or something.

[utopiacowboy]

haha yes Jeff, I just said bad guys for short because they can also end up looking like a biker or If the guy is really really white with a shaven head it makes me think of the ku klux clan, if he on top of that shaves his facial hair and his eyebrows are so small and blond you don't really notice them, makes me think of someone sick with cancer.

But then again I am not exactly into it so that might be why I have such negative thoughts about it, also I am not a colombiana and I am not attracted to men who have manicures and wear designer clothes (I do appreciate a well dressed man of course but could care less about brands)... in fact now that I think about it some women go for that kind of man here in Mexico, most are very materialistic though.

That being said, if you don't feel comfortable without shaving, wouldn't be easier to find someone that accepts you that way from the start? it will probably be less of a shock than meeting you with a head full of hair that they might love just to see it gone on the second date or something.

Even though I've done it for years my wife is always a little shocked when it happens and spends a few days muttering about her peloncito. She loves my full head of blond curly hair but I love the feeling of having it gone in the summer. So tough on her!

[ignorante]

a popular hairstyle in Colombia

  The "I just woke up and did not have time to shower or even comb my hair" look?

 

[Gromit]

Add a little gel and that style fits in perfectly.  

If that doesn't suit his fancy there is always the Colombian version of the mullet, the mulletino.

http://greatlatinomulletwarrior.ytmnd.com/

[jvoorhees]

Post pics of both, and let the women on the forum vote.

Excellent idea.  It'll take me a couple days.  All of the pics I have of me with hair were taken before I had a digital camera.  So none are on my computer.  But I'll get some up here.

[Researcher]

                           


  You could go for the Joe Dirt look.

      Researcher



                                 

[Gromit]

Excellent idea.  It'll take me a couple days.  All of the pics I have of me with hair were taken before I had a digital camera.  So none are on my computer.  But I'll get some up here.

Some unsolicited advice, you might want to rethink posting personal photos of yourself on this forum for security reasons.  Besides, there aren't enough women posters on the forum to give you a consensus of what Colombian women physical preferences are. 

I've given you accurate advice and info as I've been in the front line trenches in Colombia for many a year.  First impressions are important but not so much as what kind of a person you are on the inside.  You do however have only one chance at making a good first impression.  If you follow my advice, you'll score well in that department.  The rest is up to you grasshopper.

[ignorante]

Some unsolicited advice, you might want to rethink posting personal photos of yourself on this forum for security reasons. 

  There are personal photos all over this web site.  To what "security issues" do you refer?

[Gromit]

  There are personal photos all over this web site.  To what "security issues" do you refer?

Indeed, there are a few people that post personal photos on this forum (and think naively nothing of it) although the vast majority of members have chosen not to do so.  IMHO I don't think it wise to post photos of oneself because you never know who might use such information against you, and that can be from many different sources such as a jealous ex-wife, girlfriend, stalker, another forum member that you've offended, scammer, even kidnapper. 

I've read pre-trip reports where guys have given WAY too much information out (besides posting personal photos) as to when they will be arriving, where they will be staying, etc. and I think that is extremely unwise.  Keeping a low profile especially going to a country where serious crime is rampant is smart.

[Bob_S]

  There are personal photos all over this web site.  To what "security issues" do you refer?

Too clever photoshoppers.

Better to post them in the Image Gallery section.  Don't you need to be a registered member to access those?  Keeps it "in the family" as it were, if you are not comfortable posting potentially embarrassing images of yourself to a billion people, just the hundred or so registered active members.

[Gromit]

Better to post them in the Image Gallery section.  Don't you need to be a registered member to access those?  Keeps it "in the family" as it were, if you are not comfortable posting potentially embarrassing images of yourself to a billion people, just the hundred or so registered active members.

Posting photos in the Image Gallery thinking it is somehow more secure from someone misusing them is an example of naiveté.  For starters, the IG is accessible to the public and even if it were for forum members only how difficult would it be for someone to register then obtain access.  

You might be surprised at who some of the "family" members really are.  

It is best to keep a low profile and not post information about yourself that could be misused by those inclined to do so.

[AndyLee]

As one of the ones who "naively" posts his photo on this and other forums I can only say that one should live his or her life in such as way as not to incur the wrath of others or make yourself a target in some unfathomable way. I actually did one time have a pissed off poster in another forum go to my web site and copy pictures of me back to the forum. Several other members committed on how good I look for my age and how the power walking and yoga have done wonders for my looks. I was flattered by their comments, especially the ones saying I looked like Bob Newhart

[Researcher]

      I don't see alot of danger in posting some photos. I just posted some that I took in the Philippines and I don't see how they could be used for evil against me. Of course I don't appear in any of them.But my avatar was taken and used to sell Dos Equis beer!

        Researcher

[Gromit]

As one of the ones who "naively" posts his photo on this and other forums I can only say that one should live his or her life in such as way as not to incur the wrath of others or make yourself a target in some unfathomable way. I actually did one time have a pissed off poster in another forum go to my web site and copy pictures of me back to the forum. Several other members committed on how good I look for my age and how the power walking and yoga have done wonders for my looks. I was flattered by their comments, especially the ones saying I looked like Bob Newhart

That is an admirable trait Andy but just being a Gringo makes you a target with some people.  You could be as nice as Andy of Mayberry but that might not be enough to protect you.  

I noticed you changed some information on your web site which I think was a smart move.  I think taking the more cautious route and not putting too much information on the internet is safer.  You apparently don't think posting a real photo of yourself and other contact information isn't a threat but I firmly believe that it is better to err on the side of being too cautious rather than thinking no harm will come from it.

I can think of a number of examples when Gringos revealed too much personal information on the internet that wished they hadn't.  It may have even been instrumental in one or two of them paying the ultimate price.  Not too long ago I had my life threatened for dating the wrong woman, a threat I took very seriously.  The longer I live in Colombia the more nothing surprises me here.

I betcha SFNM had second thoughts about posting his photos and other contact information on the internet.

I don't see alot of danger in posting some photos. I just posted some that I took in the Philippines and I don't see how they could be used for evil against me. Of course I don't appear in any of them.  But my avatar was taken and used to sell Dos Equis beer!  Researcher

"Of course I don't appear in any of them"

My point exactly Señor Dos XX.

[fathertime]

if you are sensitive then be careful about posting pics of yourself...i remember i was kind enough to let a member here named sean123 view some photos of mine on a site like picturetrail and later he reposted them here and probably all over the internet...of course he disfigured the photos first...i'm not very sensitive so it was no big deal to me...but many people would have been upset...there are some strange obsessed (and Jealous   ) fellow posters out there so you really need to consider that before posting personal pics.  If you are a quiet non-confrontational type then you probably won't have a problem, but if you get into spats then expect somebody to use the photos in an unapproved manner.

Fathertime!

[euforia51]

...
but I firmly believe that it is better to err on the side of being too cautious rather than thinking no harm will come from it.
...

Finally! Someone who celebrates and shares the concept of Internet paranoia! I say this in jest, Gromit ... but I believe you are correct.

[whitey]

I'm not worried about the photos and information I share on this site ... but I might feel differently if I lived in Colombia.  A certain degree of "paranoia" is probably just prudent.

[piglett]

I myself have sculpted a wonderful swan-shaped topiary ... I'll spare you the photos ... 

i myself go for the skinny brown & shaven type 


pig

[V_Man]

My Colombian amigas assure me that if you have blonde hair you definitely should wear it. They swear all girls go crazy over blonde headed blokes. Not only will you attract more girls but the one you are with will be proud to show off what a great catch you are. So grow you hair a little.
Shaving it off when you are married is way into the future. Don't worry about it, she will love you for who you are by then.

[Researcher]

       Hey  Gromit, you keep talking about the "harm" that could happen, could you give some generic examples? FT had a good example but I'm not that sensitive. When someone thinks they have insulted me here I get just as much a laugh out of it as anyone.If it is funny, that is, if it isn't then I just don't laugh.But I'm not bothered by it. So, what are you talking about?ID theft?


       Researcher

[AndyLee]

.... Andy....just being a Gringo makes you a target with some people.....

......I noticed you changed some information on your web site which I think was a smart move.......

Gromit you are freaking me out.....

[Gromit]

Hey  Gromit, you keep talking about the "harm" that could happen, could you give some generic examples? FT had a good example but I'm not that sensitive. When someone thinks they have insulted me here I get just as much a laugh out of it as anyone.If it is funny, that is, if it isn't then I just don't laugh.But I'm not bothered by it. So, what are you talking about?ID theft? Researcher

Now that I've had my morning cup of coffee and read my emails let me respond.  This subject of safety should really be a separate thread altogether because I think it's important and should be emphasized.  I've already provided some generic examples and one personal situation I was involved in.  There is more to be concerned about than another forum member copying your photos and misusing them later although that has happened many times.  

Let me give you some specific examples.

I mentioned before that I've read some pre-trip reports about when a guy would be arriving in a foreign city, how long he would be there and where he would be staying.  If I was a bad guy and I thought this person would be a good mark having his photograph and many times, his real name, would be very valuable information.  How difficult would it be to locate this person and kidnap him, hold him for ransom or just drain his bank accounts?  Not very hard.  Bad guys know that most foreigners have debit cards to access their cash which makes them a very appealing target and all Gringos are considered filthy rich.    

I know one Gringo who has bragged on the forums how much his net worth is.  Just from what's been posted on the internet I know what he looks like, his real name, business name, email address, phone numbers, Facebook account, approximate net worth, where he lives both in the US and in Colombia, that he is now in Colombia and so on.  Revealing all this information or having others reveal it on the forum is not very bright.

I think that many Americans come from a relatively secure environment which can blind them to any potential danger while in a foreign country.  Life is extremely cheap in Latin American countries and getting away with serious crimes is much easier than in the States.  Look at Robert Vignolia getting shot and killed while he was in Cali a few years ago.  The killers and the person that placed the hit on him (and/or his wife) were never apprehended.  I can't recall if Robert announced (as was his normal custom) that he was going to be in Cali that week or even if it would have made a difference in preventing his murder but I would always keep a low profile whoever I was.  I would never give out an itinerary like many foreign travelers do.    

I was at a party in Colombia with about a dozen Gringos present and the subject of crime came up.  I asked how many of them had been the victim of a violent crime.  About 60% had admitted to being a victim.  Two incidents were serious; a failed kidnap attempt and the other an armed robbery where the victim was shot.  Both these men were extremely fortunate to get away with their lives.

Some situations could be fairly innocent.  I mentioned my life was threatened.  My crime?  I dated a woman that had an extremely jealous ex-boyfriend.  Was he blowing smoke that in two days I would be dead?  Probably, but lets just say I was glad he didn't know where I lived or knew what I looked like.  Did I take his threat seriously?  Absolutely!

You mentioned identity theft.  I don't think a person needs to be concerned about that crime in Colombia if posting personal photos on the internet.  I've never heard of ID theft in Colombia like what occurs all too frequently in the States but I would caution anyone using debit and credit cards overseas.  I'd recommend not carrying your debit card on you unless you plan on using an ATM that day.  Make sure you aren't being watched or followed while at an ATM.  Also, never use your debit card to make a credit purchase, rather use a credit card.  Cards can easily be cloned and recovering stolen funds from your debit account will be much more problematic than your credit card account.  Never let your credit card out of your sight and if possible, have the merchant use a hard wire communication system (vs. a wireless one).  We think nothing of giving a waiter a credit or debit card in the States.  Don't do that in a foreign country.

There are companies and software programs that harvest and sell your information.  Think posting a personal photo is harmless?  Take a look at one such company and type in your email address and I think you'll be surprised at just how much information they have on you:

http://www.spokeo.com/email-search

(Just try to get your information deleted from that company and see how difficult it is.  I'll share the "opt out" link if you can't find it but no guarantees it will work or for how long.  The've already reposted my information.)
  

Gromit you are freaking me out.....

Sorry Andy, it wasn't intentional but I know a LOT about you and we've never met.  All this information was posted on the internet by you or gathered by harvester programs.

[fathertime]

I know one Gringo who has bragged on the forums how much his net worth is.  Just from what's been posted on the internet I know what he looks like, his real name, business name, email address, phone numbers, Facebook account, approximate net worth, where he lives both in the US and in Colombia, that he is now in Colombia and so on.  Revealing all this information or having others reveal it on the forum is not very bright.

i'm going to have to agree with Gromit on this one...if i remember right that ex poster here and elsewhere was running scared in Cali when he started receiving threats and demands for cash because of a Finca he owned on the outskirts of cali.  i don't know why on earth that poster would disclose his multimillion dollar net worth when everybody knows that it just takes a couple of desperate locals in Colombia to take out just about anybody...i guess the zest to impress his fellow posters got the best of him.  

it is best to leave exact dates of travel and precise location off the public website...

Fathertime!