This is some pretty basic stuff but from what I’ve seen, I feel I need to give a crash course on how to not disrespect Colombians.
Being culturally sensitive will help you meet locals and make friends during your trip in Colombia. Don’t be that gringo who stands out like a sore thumb from a mile off. Integrating with locals can help you have a more authentic experience, and avoid getting into trouble.
To help you integrate during your vacation and possibly get invited to a local hang out, here’s a bit of advice to avoid getting the stank eye from fellow Colombians:
1. Don’t ask random Colombians for drugs
This might seem like a no brainer but apparently it isn’t so. I’ve heard of cab drivers making an extra buck by hooking up passengers with illegal substances and escorts.
One particular cab driver told me that about 90% of the tourists he drove around asked him to hook them up.
The poor, old man was insulted and angry that foreigners assumed that just because he was Colombian he did drugs.
As a matter fact, this also applies when meeting Colombians abroad. Colombians are so sick of hearing the same old “hook me up!” “got coke? MJ?” Whether you’re joking or not, that is not what Colombians want to hear considering most have been affected and suffered in one way or another because of the war on drugs.
So if you’re really looking for drugs, go about finding it the same way you would anywhere else: DISCRETELY!
2. Don’t strike up a random convo about Pablo
If that’s the first person that comes to your mind when you think of Colombia, Colombians will most likely take you for an ignorant fool. No joke.
Instead, try to think of one of the many other Colombian celebrities who’ve put Colombia on the map and talk about them instead. My personal favorite: Sofia Vergara!
3. Don’t turn down a shot of aguardiente
I have to admit, I’ve done it on a number of occasions. Then one day a Colombian guy discretely asked me, “You do know it’s not very polite to refuse a shot?” Others concurred. I now always accept even if I only take a small sip, just to wet my lips, or discretely dump it when no one’s watching.
4. Don’t refuse an invitation to dance
It’s a rite of passage into any social gathering. If you love dancing, great! And if it’s not your thing, no matter how clueless you are about salsa or whatever is playing, if you are asked to dance, just smile, get up, and make the best of it for those painstakingly long 3:52 minutes of the song. Then quietly head over to the bar and forget what just happened out there.
5. As a matter of fact, don’t diss anything Colombian
Although this seems a bit over the top, Colombians are very sensitive and totally defensive of anything that has the name Colombia on it.
Don’t like Colombia food? Keep it to yourself.
Didn’t think much about a particular Colombian city? Try and focus on the good. Colombians will be the first to snap back at you and tell you to go home if you don’t like it here. Tipico.
With these five tips, you should be good to go and well on your way to integrating with locals during your stay. Colombia is a pretty cool country, yet I find many foreigners make the error of saying or doing the wrong things. Save yourself the trouble and make the most of your stay in the country!
**This is a slightly modified version of an article originally published on Uncover Colombia**
