Showing up on time and being late.

[bundy_138]

I have seen numerous threads and have been told by just about everyone I have talked to that Colombians in general are always late.  30 minutes, 45 minutes, and hour......is this actually part of the culture or do many Colombians just not give a sh*t?  Input will be appreciated.

Bundy

[rpcv]

It's true that many Colombians do not show up on time but when it comes down to money or something important, they arrive on schedule.

3 examples (although I have several others):

1) I was dating this one woman but decided after several dates that I liked her but didn't see her as wife material. Nevertheless, she was clearly interested in me because she ALWAYS showed up on time. I mentioned I really appreciated that she did this and she said, "well, it's important to me".

2) A guy DayTrader recommended to me as a translator/driver always showed up on time. Actually a few minutes early too.

3) At the airport, I've noticed a huge line everytime I leave the country and folks are there well in advance of the scheduled departure time.

 

[valleydude]

I really don't know what it is, but I am just treating it the same as I would here.
For me, punctuality in the beginning stages is important. 10, 15, 20 minutes late, ok. Things happen. 30 minutes and no call, Adios.

I like what Utopia wrote in the other thread. It was just a casual comment, but it just confirms to me that there are punctual people there. That it isn't all Latinas. I originally accepted all Latinas being late because I learned it as part of the culture. I think it is to some degree, but I think it should be treated the same as one normally would treat it. I think you have to break that with them right from the beginning.

When I was waiting around while I was down there, I started asking people. "Is it your culture? How much time is normal?" I was told 30 minutes and it was unanimous. I asked guys and girls, young and old. It might sound crazy, but I wanted to know.

Of course if a girl calls at 30 minutes and is stuck in a cab. Ok, I am cool with it. Just let me know you are running late, and I will make my decisions as to whether it is sincere or if I am being strung along.

You (Bundy) made a remark in the other thread. Something like "see what happens if we are late ".... When I was making the "culture excuses" for the girl, she finally showed up 2 hours late. You know what happened when I came down from my room? She asked why it took me so long and was mad because she waited 10 minutes. I couldn't believe what I heard, and I called her out on it. I let her go that night. When chicks get mad at me for the exact same thing they are doing, I just have zero tolerance for that. I'm not sure what that is called, and that is probably a whole other topic, but nice guy changes real quick when they start pulling that one.

All in all don't be a guy like I was and start making excuses for her being late. I missed a lot of opportunities while waiting because I was accepting this.

VD

[el_ruso]

Punctuality is really a matter of maturity and experience.  A girl who is 20, has not had a real job in her life, and gets attention from guys as she is, is not likely to be punctual.

A woman who is say 40, has been in a managerial position for a long time, will most likely be punctual.  This is just common sense.

But on average punctuality is not treated in LA the same way as it is here or say in Germany.

[soltero]

I got in the habit of not getting ready until they got there, that way it didn't matter if they were late or not, because I didn't worry about it until they were there and waiting on me. Before they arrive, I would be doing whatever else I wanted to do. Also, if it was for dinner or something that had a specific time frame, I would always tell them to be there an hour early. If they were later than that hour (by this I mean on time), then I would call someone else and leave with them.

[Fuzzyone]

I have seen numerous threads and have been told by just about everyone I have talked to that Colombians in general are always late.  30 minutes, 45 minutes, and hour......is this actually part of the culture or do many Colombians just not give a sh*t?  Input will be appreciated.

Bundy

  Bundy
   I don't recall you have gone to Colombia yet but wait and see for your self. My wife was at least 30 minutes late to work everyday with out fail. If she showed up on time then there was something wrong. I myself never really worried about the late factor. There is other things in life then worrying about my girlfriend at the time being late. I don't think you should think of it as not giving a [snip]. Think of it more as a cultural thing, everything is alot more easy going except when you are driving a car or should we say bumper cars.

  Ever wonder how they drive down there and have fewer accidents? I seen them once in awhile but nothing compared to around where I live.

[bundy_138]

Your right Fuzzy, I have not been to Colombia yet.  I just hear all these stories and it makes me wonder what I am geting myself into.  I just feel very strongly that if you make a commitment to be somewhere at a certain time then you should be there.  I think it is disrespectful to keep someone waiting.  It may be a cultural thing or just a way of life, but in my eyes I see it as showing disrespect.  I understand being late sometimes because things happen, but when I hear that someone went on 10 dates and all 10 were late, that is a little alarming! 

I guess being in the corporate enviornment so long, I just have the mentality that time is money and every minute counts.  I bring the same philosophy to my personal life. 

Bundy

[el_ruso]

Bundy,

Latin America is different from US and Western Europe in its culture.  It is laid back.  It is not a question of the girl thinking: 'I don't care about Bundy, I don't respect Bundy, and I will show up an hour late to prove it so that Bundy will be pissed.'  Colombianas focus on different things.

A girl here might show up for a date on time, but a Colombiana who is perhaps an hour late will make sure she will look as good as she could possibly be for you, including spending that morning at a beauty parlor so that she can have all her hair and nails and skin perfect for you, she will be immaculately made up and dressed.  And almost always she will try her best to make the date with you a pleasant and happy experience, she will be happy with whatever you offer her and will let you take her where you want to go.  In case if she does not do the above, then you can safely deduce that she is not that interested in you, even if she arrives right on the minute.

[daytrader]

I understand being late sometimes because things happen, but when I hear that someone went on 10 dates and all 10 were late, that is a little alarming!

Out of 12 first dates in the north of Cali at ACG, only one was late.  If you pick'em good in Cali, I think most all of them will be there on time.  If the lady is driving from the opposite side of town after work, then she is at the mercy of traffic and likely may be late; I'd expect that. 

DayTrader

[jediknight]

since the beginning i've let everyone i've dealt with know that being on time was important to me and that i was aware of how being on time is a joke to most colombians. i've told them that if they weren't there within 15minutes of the agreed time and haven't called, then they shouldn't expect to find me there. i've never had a problem with people being late when i read them the riot act.
jk

[Fuzzyone]

Your right Fuzzy, I have not been to Colombia yet.  I just hear all these stories and it makes me wonder what I am geting myself into.  I just feel very strongly that if you make a commitment to be somewhere at a certain time then you should be there.  I think it is disrespectful to keep someone waiting.  It may be a cultural thing or just a way of life, but in my eyes I see it as showing disrespect.  I understand being late sometimes because things happen, but when I hear that someone went on 10 dates and all 10 were late, that is a little alarming! 

I guess being in the corporate enviornment so long, I just have the mentality that time is money and every minute counts.  I bring the same philosophy to my personal life. 

Bundy

  Bundy don't let the stories make you think you will have a problem. When I went down to Peru to see my future ex here is what she pulled on me. I was going to a better hotel because the one I was in was a dive. I had to check out at 11:00 am and she was suppose to meet me there to go to another Hotel. Well about 12:30 she finally showed up. The woman behind the counter chewed her a new [snip] for making me wait. That was my first real treat to latinas coming late.

  When you finally do go to Colombia you will have other things to worry about then girls coming late like where is the Ketchup, just kidding you but don't worry about the small stuff and keep your head clear so you don't mistakes like some of us other bone heads did!

[papi]

I

have seen numerous threads and have been told by just about everyone I have talked to that Colombians in general are always late.

here are the cliff notes: some are completely oblivious to time others are punctual.

yes, it is a cultural thing. I have several friends from colombia and living in the USA. They think nothing of showing up 2 or even 3 hours late for social events. I have had chicas do the same. Others will post on the money. It varies. Don't let it get to you...

[Chris F]

General rule of thumb for me in the past while dating is what others have posted:

I give them a half an hour.....after that if they have not called...Im gone with someone else....

Remember something Bundy.....if you waited over an hour for her to show up......she will not think twice about making you wait an hour and a half or two hours the next time...

[bundy_138]

Thanks guys!  I have put a lot of time, effort and money into this trip and want to make the best of it.  I am pretty anal about things, time being one of them.  I think some of you hit the nail on the head, if she shows up late the first time, most likely she will do it again.  I know all women are different, but in some ways, they are all the same.  If she shows up late and looks as good as el_ruso says she will, hell, I'll wait an extra hour!   

I am looking forward to this experience and plan on having a great trip report and stories to share.  13 days and counting!

Bundy

[papi]

73% are tardy, interasadas, unreliable, flaky and worse. The younger/hotter the more problematic. welcome to cali