I haven’t seen any foreigners share their experience of living in Bogota and the discuss the weird, sad, shameful and awkward stories and sightings of the class system in the works.
Maybe it might not be such a shock if you are a foreigner who lived in another developing country before.
But if you are from Europe or the US, some things will surprise you. Sadden you. Shock you. Make you angry.
And as much as you might want to judge me for saying this right now, some things you might even start participating in. That’s what happens when you live here long enough. Ask any foreigner. To some degree, they partake in it.
If you are paying for a service or good and know that the person you are buying it from cannot live from this decently, you are perpetuating the cycle. We’re all consciously guilty.
Anyways, some things about the class system are really unique to Colombia. I wanted to list a few things that I’ve seen repeated over time. I’m sure it’s only a glimpse. But if you plan on living in Colombia, or already do, I’m sure you’ve seen this around.
And if you need a crash course on how the class system works in Colombian be sure to read up on the subject here.
You are automatically excluded from it all
Colombians categorize each other within seconds. In Bogota, this is based on which elementary, middle, and high school they went to.
And this can potentially be a factor that will determine if Colombians will be friends or not. Because believe it or not, societies are so small, that when two strangers from estrato 5-6 from the same city meet for the first time, if they don’t know each other, there is a VERY high chance they have friends in common. I’m always amazed.
As a foreigner are automatically excluded. It’s like a free pass…
Estrato 4 and below are MUCH more likely to want to be your friend
These people probably haven’t traveled outside of the country much IF ever. Maybe they’re learning English. And so you come into the picture and you’re some sort of exotic being their raises their estrato. That pretty much sums up the mentality.
Foreigners get mocked for dating estrato 4 and down
More specifically, girls from estrato 5+ will mock foreigners’ choice. Probably right there and then in the presence of the Colombian date.
This Colombian date will get absolutely destroyed. I don’t think I’ve ever heard such open trash talk. Mind you, this is a normal and typical party conversation.
It seems like a scene out of Gossip Girl. Only that it’s not a whisper-in-your-ear type of conversation. Everyone joins in and sees it as just a good laugh.
Bogotanos always ask each other which high school they went to
People live and die by their high school group. Bogotanos go to the same school from 6-18 years-old, so it’s even more than high school.
There’s such a strong attachment to the ‘colegio’.
And that’s because education here is not a right. It’s a privilege.
Public school are renown for being bad. And so the only way to get a decent education is to pay up! So while the minimum salary is about $250 USD, Private schools cost between $600-$1000 USD. Add to that an hefty entrance fee, which can be up to $20,000 USD, and you’ve got yourself a super exclusive society.
So even more than just getting your kid in school, if you can pay for something decent, it becomes more about, WHO do you want your kids growing up with. Because more often than not, people will make long, lasting relationships that will affect their personal and professional life. This translates to senior Bogotanos still hanging out with people they knew when they where 7.
So what’s it going to be? The upper-middle class, the rich or the ultra rich? You are who you hang out with. Especially in Bogota.
Coming from Europe, these seemingly small classist behaviors are so strange to me as such factors haven’t been such a focus in my social interactions.
However, as with everything, when you’re around it long enough, you start to get used to it.
Have you been surprised by the classist Colombian behavior? Let me know what’s caught your eye in the comment box down below!
6 comments
Yes! I am half Colombian but British by birth and where I live. Whenever I’ve been to visit my mum’s family in Bogotá, wonderful as they are, I’ve been pretty horrified by some of the snobbery and racialism. Cousin’s new boyfriends were commented on as ‘very dark’, darker skinned friends jokingly nicked named ‘the negro’, my grandmother wanting to know both family names of anyone new mentioned, and lots of talk and respect for ‘good’ families. Lots of behaviours, places, clothes etc were frowned on as a bit lower class. While they love their country, their love for indigenous people is always in a kind of patronising way: ‘our Indians’ – like pets who need to be looked after. I adore Colombia but would struggle to kill e amongst this attitude
Hi Jade, this in an excellent observation. I am a Bogotana living in California since high school. Since I was five years old, I attended a “nice” private catholic school in Bogota, and moving to the US as a teenager really opened my eyes in how close-minded and obsessed with social status Colombians can be.
Yes absolutely! If I could avoid it, my children would not grow up in Colombia!!
I really appreciate your articles, I have been learning a lot! I don’t even know where to begin. My boyfriend has always made it a point to tell me about his estrato…and of course being American I don’t make it a point to pry too much because we certainly don’t mind. We are taught that if one is self sufficient and has goals, well love is love. But I have always found it strange when he talks about “class” in ways that I don’t understand. I also know he thinks it’s strange that I don’t ask him very much about the social classes…now I can see it’s a much bigger deal than I realized!
Let me guest the black race is at the bottom right?
I may be mistaken, but this echelon organization is most felt in Bogotá. The Costeños and Llaneros seem more realxed.