Colombia Expat Forum

JasonWriter
Joined 2016
Posts: 493

7 years ago

Manana Time in Colombia: How it Works

7 years ago

So prior to arriving in Medellin, I'd already experienced the laidback, sometimes super slow pace of things in many parts of Latin America. The whole manana attitude, the long waits in lines. But only recently have I begun to look at exactly how these lines manage to move so slowly, and how things manage to take forever.

This morning I was in line at a little bodega to buy a cup of coffee and a little snack. There were two people ahead of me, guy and a girl together, a couple. The guy orders a food item, pays for it. Starts unwrapping the food and eating it, while leisurely chatting to the guy in the bodega and his lady friend. Then after a minute of this, he decides to buy something else. Repeat. Then he asks about some other thing behind the counter. This whole time I'm standing right behind this couple, staring the bodega owner straight in the face, like "Please hurry this up, for the love of God." Doesn't matter. The guy makes another purchase, and the bodega owner again has to look for change and figure out how to make the proper cambio, and all that. And then....yes.

The girl decides she wants to buy something now. She pulls out her purse, and starts asking about things behind the counter...

This goes on for 10 minutes, at least, before I get to make my 20 second transaction.

William Russell

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William Russell

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Living in Colombia Guide

Expats in Colombia discuss the pros and cons of living in Colombia. From the Colombian people to driving to taxes and more. As challenging as it can be, expats in Colombia clearly find that there is a lot to love about a country that is a surprising expat hot spot.

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William Russell

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William Russell

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Contribute
Help others in Colombia by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Colombia.