2 observations in Colombia.

[fathertime]

#1  When I packed up my suitcase to leave Colombia I distinctly remember putting my little girls gifts in there and thought they would be fine.  When I unpacked my suitcase at home one of the little gifts was missing.  My only explanation is that somebody from Copa Airlines must have ransacked my unlocked luggage and swiped the little gift. It was not really very expensive but very cute for a little girl.  Whoever did this, deserves very bad Karma.

#2  I noticed the Colombian ladies are very good at cutting in front of big dumb gringos like myself.  They never really look at me while doing it, but they just sort of ease in front of me sometimes when I am in line at a restaurant or something.  Does that happen to anyone else or is it only me?  I am fairly laid back but it is somewhat irratating, but I feel like a guest in their country and I am not willing to yank her out of line or browbeat her like I might in the US.

Fathertime!

[doombug]

#2  I noticed the Colombian ladies are very good at cutting in front of big dumb gringos like myself.  They never really look at me while doing it, but they just sort of ease in front of me sometimes when I am in line at a restaurant or something.  Does that happen to anyone else or is it only me?  I am fairly laid back but it is somewhat irratating, but I feel like a guest in their country and I am not willing to yank her out of line or browbeat her like I might in the US.

I've never really noticed this anywhere but Latin America. Upon moving to Mexico in the mid 90's, I was rudely introduced to the practice, and gawd it was tough biting my tongue. It's like, "Hey, am I a stack of petrified cow shit standing here, or what? How could you miss my pale gringo ass standing right in the spot you just swerved around? I'm not some gringo mannequin placed in your shopping line to model North-of-the-Border Ware."

[fathertime]

Thanks doombug, I am glad to hear it is not only me this happens to.

Fathertime!

[papi]

Doom, where did you live in mexico? are yu back in the usa?

[Ray]

"Hey, am I a stack of petrified cow shit standing here, or what?

Well, it certainly appears that way!

Doom, I live right on the Mexican border and I have to deal with dumbass line-cutters from Mexico all the time. Some of those dorks with border passes who shop here in San Diego forget that they are in a foreign country. It’s only the border crossers, not the Chicanos who live here.

I won’t tolerate anyone cutting in front of me in line! They have no shame at all. In the local Costco store, they will come right up to the front of a long checkout line and cut right in with a fully loaded cart. I will yell real loud at them so the whole store can hear me, something like… “Hey Dick Breath! Get your ass back to the end of the line”! If they don’t start moving within about 2 seconds, I start yelling for the manager to kick them out. It got so bad that Costco actually had to post “Rules for Lines” above each register in that one store. 1. No Cutting in Line, 2. No Saving Places in Line, …etc.

I had the same problem in the Philippines. Always someone cutting in line. They will walk right up, bold as hell, looking down at the ground while mumbling “excuse me, excuse me” and cut in line like it was nothing. Most of the locals are non-confrontational and will not say anything or simply mutter a few obscenities.

I found the best way to deal with it overseas is to play their own game by immediately cutting right back directly in front of them while mumbling “excuse me, excuse me”. But I look them straight in the eye and smile at them. 

[fathertime]

found the best way to deal with it overseas is to play their own game by immediately cutting right back directly in front of them while mumbling “excuse me

That seems reasonable to me!

Fathertime

[doombug]

where did you live in mexico?

In Mexicali, for about a year. Very grim city seemingly full of downtrodden types. Strangely, a coworker of mine was born there, yet has quite the bright and personable attitude about him.

[doombug]

“Hey Dick Breath! Get your ass back to the end of the line”! If they don’t start moving within about 2 seconds, I start yelling for the manager to kick them out. It got so bad that Costco actually had to post “Rules for Lines” above each register in that one store. 1. No Cutting in Line, 2. No Saving Places in Line, …etc.

I found the best way to deal with it overseas is to play their own game by immediately cutting right back directly in front of them while mumbling “excuse me, excuse me”. But I look them straight in the eye and smile at them.

Very funny stuff.

I would love to see store videos of these little "cultural" exchanges. 

It is such a phenomenon why, even south of the border, Mexicans so casually allow themselves to be gypped. I still vividly recall how most wouldn't utter a peep or bat an eyelash whenever the line cutters went to work.