red flag?

[Gato4Astrid]

Out of Left field and very gay.  Think about changing your name to GAY-TOE?
 
Micky

Hey wanker, how about changing your name into PIG CHAUVINIST    

[Researcher]

       Good point IV. Many guys here think that Colombia and other countries are the same as the US.The first thing a guy should realize is that gringo rules do not apply.Neither does gringo thinking.I hope ISD learned that a woman with an education is no different than one without when it comes to relationships.I like intelligent women myself but that is just a preference and has nothing to do with a relationship's success or failure.

       Researcher

[jb]

name calling aside......

for what it's worth.  Gato's follow up on Studio F added value for me.

When I meet a special lady, i'd love to have an idea where i could buy a special outfit as a gift for her.  Maybe that seems odd, but i've heard it recommended it elsewhere at least as a gift from the US when traveling to meet her once you have an established relationship.

So thanks to all for mentioning Studio F, even if they are over priced.  I found a great top for a gift.

outfit 10 of 79
100765    short
260217    buso largo
098046    aretes
http://www.mercadeostudiof.com/coleccionsf/coleccionsummer/full/4E0C0252.jpg

Although sadly the numbers listed below the photo did not come up with the profile of the model on colombian cupid.      oh well.   At least i found a great gift for "her" when i meet that special someone.       

[whitey]

When I meet a special lady, i'd love to have an idea where i could buy a special outfit as a gift for her.  Maybe that seems odd, but i've heard it recommended it elsewhere at least as a gift from the US when traveling to meet her once you have an established relationship.

jb, generally speaking, Colombians love brand name clothes, and especially American luxury and/or higher end brands like Lacoste, Calvin Klein, Diesel, Tommy Hilfiger, Hugo Boss, Guess, Nike, Adidas, etc.

You'll find these stores at most of the large shopping malls in the major cities of Colombia.

Here's a directory for CC Tesoro in Medellin, for example: http://www.eltesoro.com.co/es/vip/tiendas/ 

They also like other well known American brands like Gap, Old Navy, Aeropostale, etc.

[Researcher]

  That's true Whitey. The last time I was in Bogota I saw a guy on the street selling Ray Bin sunglasses and Folex watches!

      Researcher

[whitey]

  That's true Whitey. The last time I was in Bogota I saw a guy on the street selling Ray Bin sunglasses and Folex watches!

      Researcher

Hahaha ... yeah, I bought a "genuine" pair of Ray Bans on the beach in El Rodadero for only $10.000 ($US5.50).  He gave me such a good deal because I'm a gringo ...

[fathertime]

  That's true Whitey. The last time I was in Bogota I saw a guy on the street selling Ray Bin sunglasses and Folex watches!

      Researcher

hehe  Folex...I remember in Mexico my buddy bought a "Rodex" watch and a few days later the 9 oclock number broke off and was in a perpetual state of floating around the inside of the glass of the watch.


Fathertime!

[jb]

Thanks Whitey,

Since dress seems to be important, does anyone have ideas on how to style and be less gringofied for a first visit?

[Ray]

When I meet a special lady, i'd love to have an idea where i could buy a special outfit as a gift for her.

I would forget about buying clothing items for a woman. You'll never get it right!
 
Stick to colognes, perfumes, stuff like that.
 
If you are already in a committed relationship, you might try some sexy underthings from Victoria's Secret instead of some high-priced 'outfit'.
 
Note: Never buy shoes for a lady as a gift! 
 
Ray
 
 

[InSanDiego]

Micky and IV, thanks for the advice, I have allowed the dating scene here in SoCal to erode my self-esteem a little. I am told I don't look 40 but when I had that number next to my profile on US dating sites it seemed like a negative... The irony of me being 40 is I don't drink or smoke, and am very physically active. I think you are right that probably more than anything I need to experience something different than the reality of dating in this country to get a taste of something better, and I am looking forward to experiencing something different when I go over there in August...
 

[fathertime]

Micky and IV, thanks for the advice, I have allowed the dating scene here in SoCal to erode my self-esteem a little. I am told I don't look 40 but when I had that number next to my profile on US dating sites it seemed like a negative... The irony of me being 40 is I don't drink or smoke, and am very physically active. I think you are right that probably more than anything I need to experience something different than the reality of dating in this country to get a taste of something better, and I am looking forward to experiencing something different when I go over there in August...

Hey Insandiego!


Regarding your advanced age,  ...when I first went to Colombia I was 36 and pretty much lookers from any age were available to me at that age/time....I found my wife when I was 40 and she was 23...I can tell you from experience that age 40 is a great age to be in Colombia...if only you could stop time and stay 40 you would be in for a lifetime of fun....my advice for you would be to get your rear end over there as early and often as you can, because age does start catching up with you soon and in most cases the actual 'fathertime' is not kind to our bodies....I just turned 43 a couple weeks ago and time is going so damn fast now...i think you SHOULD step on the gas insofar as getting over their and getting in the game...you can still use your time to find the right lady, but start getting some ladies in front of you....ALSO forget about your experiences with American ladies around your age (ugggg), listen to us gasbags on this site...when you hit Colombia or whichever country you hit, you will be very pleased with the quality of women if you play your cards right.
So what is your plan? I can't remember.


Good luck,
Fathertime!

[InSanDiego]

FT, I'm going to Barranquilla in August. Time stops for no man, indeed....

[Researcher]

   I would like to add InSanDiego to stop playing around on the internet.I think a guy needs to go and experience Colombia firsthand and at least get past the "kid in a candy store" stage before gettting too serious with a woman.Realize that you have many options here, even at the ripe old age of 40...hehehe....The ball is in your court here and these ladies know it.They will be trying to tie you down before you even step foot into Colombia.They know that once you realize the options you have you may just get picky and decide to look around before committing, which is the best thing to do.

      Researcher

[Gato4Astrid]

jb, generally speaking, Colombians love brand name clothes, and especially American luxury and/or higher end brands like Lacoste, Calvin Klein, Diesel, Tommy Hilfiger, Hugo Boss, Guess, Nike, Adidas, etc.

You'll find these stores at most of the large shopping malls in the major cities of Colombia.

Here's a directory for CC Tesoro in Medellin, for example: http://www.eltesoro.com.co/es/vip/tiendas/ 

They also like other well known American brands like Gap, Old Navy, Aeropostale, etc.

and beware of fake brands.  There are too many of them.  My girlfriend did not know the difference between real and fake, so I showed her in one of the shops and looked at Lacoste and compare to that I was wearing that day!
 
 

[Gato4Astrid]

Hahaha ... yeah, I bought a "genuine" pair of Ray Bans on the beach in El Rodadero for only $10.000 ($US5.50).  He gave me such a good deal because I'm a gringo ...

How about Prado sunglasses? 

[Gato4Astrid]

I would forget about buying clothing items for a woman. You'll never get it right!
 
Stick to colognes, perfumes, stuff like that.
 
If you are already in a committed relationship, you might try some sexy underthings from Victoria's Secret instead of some high-priced 'outfit'.
 
Note: Never buy shoes for a lady as a gift! 
 
Ray

It is not impossible to buy right things for any women.
 

[Gato4Astrid]

Thanks Whitey,

Since dress seems to be important, does anyone have ideas on how to style and be less gringofied for a first visit?

Hello Jb
All Image Consultants/Fashion Stylists would need to know/see what you look like, what body shape you have, what facial shape you have, what colour skin you have, how old are you, how tall are you, do you have beard,etc.    Then they would be able to give out advice for you.
 
 
 

[Jeff S]

Thanks Whitey,

Since dress seems to be important, does anyone have ideas on how to style and be less gringofied for a first visit?

You don't need a fashion consultant. It ain't rocket science.



Leave the loud print shirts, faded jeans, stupid saying tee shirts and cargo pants (and shorts) home. Pull your pants up to your waist - wear decent leather casual and dress shoes, solid color button down or polo shirts (tucked in to your pants,) and flat front gabardine pants or well fitting jeans. Let your hair grow out a bit of you wear a buzz cut or chop it off if you're shaggy, and comb it so it doesn't look like you just got out of bed.

[whitey]

You don't need a fashion consultant. It ain't rocket science.



Leave the loud print shirts, faded jeans, stupid saying tee shirts and cargo pants (and shorts) home. Pull your pants up to your waist - wear decent leather casual and dress shoes, solid color button down or polo shirts (tucked in to your pants,) and flat front gabardine pants or well fitting jeans. Let your hair grow out a bit of you wear a buzz cut or chop it off if you're shaggy, and comb it so it doesn't look like you just got out of bed.

Yep, Jeff's advice is right on.

If you are going to Barranquilla, don't wear shorts except around the pool or gym (no matter what Fathertime tells you ... hahaha).  It's fine to wear shorts in Cartagena and Santa Marta during the day, though.

Most women on the coast don't like facial hair, so think about shaving it off if you have it, and make sure to shave every day when you are dating.

[whitey]

She told me tonight that she and her nurse coworkers have not been paid for the last 3 months (could be a ploy to ask me for money but I don't think so), and that in the past she has had male supervisors tell her they would take care of her financially if she had sex with them. She could be making this up but based on my chatting with her on average 2-3 hours a night for the last two weeks I'm inclined to believe her. She has not asked me for money nor sent naked pictures so whatever relationship we are building through chatting is potentially substantive...My response to her telling me about not getting paid was not to offer her money but rather that in the States she will be compensated for her work...

I had an interesting talk with Nazly last night about salaries and payments in Barranquilla (and Colombia in general).

Apparently state funded institutions like public hospitals and clinics are notorious for not paying their nurses well, and for long delays in payment.  3, 6, 9 month delays ... even a year are not unusual.  When the government delays payment to the hospitals, or when there is fraud in the hospital and the money is stolen (not uncommon), the employees don't get paid.

Certain wealthy individuals with connections to the hospital or state even have a business of "buying" nurses' wages when they don't get paid.  They know what the person's wage is, when they will get paid (via contacts), and then loan the money to the employee (for a 10% cut).

[benjio]

One thing to remember is even though they complain about how Colombian men treat them that is what they are used to. It helps to be somewhat machista in dealing with them. If you're a typical American "nice guy", they will eat you alive.

AMEN!!!!!

[Researcher]

I had an interesting talk with Nazly last night about salaries and payments in Barranquilla (and Colombia in general).

Apparently state funded institutions like public hospitals and clinics are notorious for not paying their nurses well, and for long delays in payment.  3, 6, 9 month delays ... even a year are not unusual.  When the government delays payment to the hospitals, or when there is fraud in the hospital and the money is stolen (not uncommon), the employees don't get paid.

Certain wealthy individuals with connections to the hospital or state even have a business of "buying" nurses' wages when they don't get paid.  They know what the person's wage is, when they will get paid (via contacts), and then loan the money to the employee (for a 10% cut).

    This is something to remember.Just because someone has a job title that pays well in the US doesn't mean it pays well in Colombia or anywhere else for that matter.Despite the perception there are many working poor in these countries.

      Researcher

[beginthebeguin]

Here is a real deal breaker. Current 'novia' had a 'lead-in' foto in www.latinlovesearch.com which showed her and her son, a nice foto. But, today I go to check up on her original profile foto and I notice it is no longer there. She has as her 'lead-in' foto, a new foto of herself, which I was told was a foto of her taken for my benefit only. Now in the mix of fotos added as additional profile fotos there is no sign of the son at all. And all of the new fotos were supposed to be for my benefit only.  Hmmmmm.
My first impression, she is deliberately provoking a 'falling out'. And she will get her wish. There are already a few red flags I won't get into now, but if this is a provocation she has succeded. Only a blind man would see that she is in the process of  'trading up'. 
As was stated before some latinas will provoke a 'spat' to get to the 'make up' phase of a relationship, a form of  relationship re-affirmation. I understand this, but the fact that the presence of a 'son' was involved in her portfolio presentation 'up front'  and now it is not, well this is not what I call good judgement. 
 
It is 'curb kicking' time.

[JimD]

Studio F dresses are too expensive for that type of qualties of dresses!!   They are ripped off prices!!  They should pay that price for top quality not for the title "Studio F"

There is nothing "out of left field" about this comment. Gato has professional experience in the fashion business and knows of what he speaks. Regarding the value of the Studio F products so sought after by colombiana chicas I would certainly respect his estimation. There may indeed be some gays/cross dressers on this forum but Gato isn´t one of them.

[chizz]

Sup,
Jumping in late, but wanted to throw in a few comments.
I've met several woman over the years who've asked for money. Some never asked right away, but dropped "hints". It's actually gotten to the point where the woman is smart enough not to ask directly anymore and keep dropping "hints" hoping you will offer. I had one that dropped hints continually for about 2 weeks. I knew she wasn't the one right away, but It became fun talking to her so I could see how far she would go without asking. I also considered it a learning experience to get inside a scammers mind. Finally, she pulled out her trump card; the tears. She was on the phone with me one night and said, "Amor(she also began calling me that after 1 week) I don't know what i'm going to do!" I said, "What's wrong?" Then the tears came, "The power to the house was cut off, because we can't pay the bill!" She lived with her roommate and did not speak with her family(this was a red flag from the jump). The I said, "Oh my goodness! I can't believe it!" She replied, "Yes, also we're behind on the rent and we're going to be evicted, I don 't know what i'm going to do, I don't have any money!" I said, "Que lastima...I'll call you back." I called the agency and asked the secretary to do me a favor. I told her about the situation and asked her to listen on 3-way. I called the girl back, with the secretary listening, and she added that she couldnt' pay the phone bill. The secretary jumped in and told her she was being removed from the agency. She didn't put up a fight and hung up. Granted she never "asked", but she made it clear what she wanted. This goes to show they will try and they are getting smarter with it.
As far as taking a trip to meeting one girl, I've done that a few times and if I could do it over, I'd do it differently. I would arrange to meet several and be honest with the girls about it. My thinking at the time was the girl would be insulted if I met several. I was thinking like an american and not thinking that things are different in Colombia. I would meet several If could do it over again.
Chizz