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Native or extremely fluent English speakers needed

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2itsfullesttoday
  11/22/2016 12:34 EST

Hey all! I actually moved to Cali to help oversee a staffing company that employs people here to work for US companies. Always looking for various skillsets as long as you have very high english fluency. Be sure to hit me up if you are looking for work. NOT looking for short-term, but people that actually live here.

BrandonBP
  11/22/2016 14:21 EST

"Various skill sets" is vague to the extreme. Are you looking for mechanics or teachers or assassins or cooks or housekeepers or astronauts or engineers?

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guestuser
  11/22/2016 14:56 EST

@Brandon - exactly what I was thinking.

High english fluency? A call center perhaps?

Working for US companies - presumably on Colombian pay scales?

Working here but no mention of Spanish language skills being of benefit.

Perhaps the OP needs to give us some more clues?

2itsfullesttoday
  11/22/2016 16:21 EST

OK here comes the clues. And I apologize for the vagueness of the post.
First, sorry to disappoint, Brandon, but absolutely no assassins need apply!

Basically imagine any job in the U.S. that does not require a physical presence. So we are talking about graphic design, social media experts, content creation, phone sales, inbound customer service, PHP, web design, franchisee support, project management, etc.

Paradise, you are neither correct nor incorrect on your assumption about pay. We are most certainly not paying prevailing US wages, but we are very high-paying for the Colombian economy.

Feel free to ask anything else!

Bobfrozen1
  11/22/2016 16:27 EST

Ok you are looking for cheap labor and using this forum to advertise.

2itsfullesttoday
  11/22/2016 16:29 EST

Bob that's kind of harsh. I recently moved here, so I am using the forum for many things. One of them is to let people know of an opportunity if they like it. We are one of the highest paying companies in Cali.

Sorry if the info was not well received.

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Bobfrozen1
  11/22/2016 16:36 EST

No,

Not harsh just kind of to the point.

Bobfrozen1
  11/22/2016 16:37 EST

Sorry,

And what do you pay?

2itsfullesttoday
  11/22/2016 16:41 EST

Bob, as you can imagine my entry-level employees who handle inbound customer service make significantly less then the guy who works in my office with a Master's in Programming and a Bachelor's in web design. By all means, if you want to check it out, send me a PM and I would be happy to bring you on a tour of our offices in San Fernando, and you can ask the employees themselves if they are well compensated.

pocopelo
  11/22/2016 16:43 EST

@2today. Your solicitation is welcome. Never mind the frozen guy, it appears he must be our new locogringo arisen.

guestuser
  11/22/2016 16:45 EST

I'm with Bob on this. Not US but high Colombian hides a lot of sins. Let's take Project Manager roles. In the US median salaries for general project managers tend to be in the $90k range and for IT PMs over $100k. I also have some knowledge of what locals make here and also what US people located here (not expats) get as packages. So what range would you suggest? I know it's going to be job specific but you should be able to put a range out there.

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Bobfrozen1
  11/22/2016 16:49 EST

Thank you locopelo.

2itsfullesttoday
  11/22/2016 16:52 EST

Paradise,
I have a business model that is a proprietary, and as such am not going to share pay scales on a public forum. I would be happy to speak in person about it with an interested party who had submitted a résumé or CV.
Naturally we have to bring a significant savings to our US clients, and we have to make money (pay for the building and all). Our savings to the US companies are usually net 40%.

guestuser
  11/22/2016 17:25 EST

I have two friends who are CEOs of tech outsourcing companies in the region and they are far less coy about general pay levels for the roles they look to fill.

The problem is that you are posting on this forum where the majority are probably retired or semi retired. This is not an easy country as a foreigner to find work (if you want it) and you are basically pitching that there are two main requirements - English language skills and living in country that most people will be able to fulfill.

That's very tempting but basically you want to keep your side secret while having people submit resumes. I personally have never given my resume to anyone (and you basically want them to potentially market to your client base) with some idea about what they could potentially do for me. You don't mention your company or even your name. Are you prepared to at least share your LinkedIn profile URL?

On the cost structure you have I understand that and how the business works. So, roughly you'll have a role that might pay $60k a year in the US. You'll pitch the role offshore as you say about 40 percent lower, so that equates to $3k a month. How much you then pay is driven to a large extent by how valuable the person is (so for example you may pay the chief on the team a bigger percentage if you also get to 'sell' juniors to the client). However you probably need another 30- 40 percent to cover expenses and make your return. So net net that job that pays $5k a month in the US becomes $2k a month here for the employee. Now COP 6 million a month is pretty good money here, but that's on $60k job. Cold calling roles or customer service center roles are going to be much less.

People may be interested but how do you make them comfortable that they can send their resumes to you?

Bobfrozen1
  11/22/2016 17:26 EST

Like I said

2itsfullesttoday
  11/22/2016 17:32 EST

That is a fair question.. i would be glad to not only share my company (Pericia Solutions) but also give a tour and staff meeting before someone shared a resume. Can't share my LinkedIn because I am on my phone but feel free to google my name (Michael Peterson)+ the word "franchising" and learn a lot about me. I am an open book!

guestuser
  11/22/2016 18:00 EST

Ok I can see Pericia and that links to Groupon Cognitiva and that has links to Play N Trade where you used to be?

According to LinkedIn you're still at Harvard (2012-2017)?

2itsfullesttoday
  11/22/2016 18:07 EST

Yep all me all true...
Harvard extension (online) to be clear. And groupo not groupon..that is a separate but related company.

timllowe
  11/22/2016 18:12 EST

Damn. I love groupon. I miss them. But I just discovered they operate in Colombia. WOO HOO! ;)

guestuser
  11/22/2016 18:23 EST

Yes, sorry for the typo. I guess you haven't updated your LinkedIn but other than Play N Trade (I guess a client) there's nothing that links you to either Pericia or Cognitiva.

Looking online I can see some of the slots that you are trying to fill - for example a PHP developer at COP 5 million a month. For people's reference that's $75k to $90k role in the US.

Appreciate the feedback.

SunsetSteve
  11/22/2016 18:38 EST

If a highly educated English speaking person (a retired lawyer for example) wanted to work the PC on his shaded patio in Popayana for example, such a person would not be displeased to earn substantially less than he might in other circumstances. So the rumour goes . . . :=)`

timllowe
  11/22/2016 18:42 EST

Exactly what does a retired attorney in Popayan earn? And are there retired lawyers in Popayan? God... I hate to think I have to avoid such a nice little town.

SunsetSteve
  11/22/2016 18:44 EST

There might be soonish - and don't be churlish!

2itsfullesttoday
  11/22/2016 18:49 EST

Read deeper into my linkedin you will see several articles published on the topic of offshoring..you are correct i am notnfully up to date on LI..With a move out of country, finishing a book and learning a new language everything is updated... and my main focus is still my company Franchise Beacon... just thought this group might be interested in possible opportunity..I'll make sure i am up to date before i post something similar here.

8901
  11/22/2016 22:21 EST

Hello Mike I just sent you a pm concerning a good friend whom just recently left the states and is now living in Cali. He is fluent in four languages. Let me know.

2itsfullesttoday
  11/22/2016 22:31 EST

Hey all, just wanted to close out this thread now that I am back in front of the computer. Sorry for anyone that felt I was being dodgy; most certainly was not the intention.

My affiliation with Pericia is fairly recent, though I have been close friends with the other owners for well over a decade. First and foremost I am a franchise consultant and teacher/trainer. I welcome any inquiries about what Pericia is doing over here, but I did not mean this as an advert, just an in informational piece. If you have some interest in learning more about what we do, and how we employ people, I would be happy to discuss that with anyone online or in person. Sorry to kick a hornet's nest; I know that sometimes the whole too good to be true thing can touch a nerve.

I hope that my post can be taken in the spirit it was intended. I am a recently re-located American, now on Colombian soil indefinitely, and excited to learn more about the people and culture, connect with other expats, and also help local people and global citizens find work if AND ONLY IF it makes sense for them and us.

Wishing you all a very happy dias de gracias (did I say that right?) and hope to get to know some of you soon!

Michael.

BrandonBP
  11/23/2016 06:24 EST

"First, sorry to disappoint, Brandon, but absolutely no assassins need apply!"
===============================

Well that counts me out, then. I guess I should have learned graphic design instead of working for the government.

2itsfullesttoday
  12/1/2016 09:03 EST

For people that were asking for specifics; I am looking right now for a specific position. This is a lower-level position, no degree required, must be a quick study and ok with phone-work. In-bound appointment setting. Comp will be around 1.5+ a bonus structure. Anyone interested in this specifically let me know.

Bobfrozen1
  12/1/2016 20:28 EST

Is that 1,500 USD?

BrandonBP
  12/1/2016 20:41 EST

"Is that 1,500 USD?"
========================

I'm thinking it means $1.50 an hour. But since we're still being vague and shifty, it could mean anything. Perhaps 1500 pesos a day or $1.5 million a year.

2itsfullesttoday
  12/20/2016 14:29 EST

Anyone on here with extensive experience in SEO in the US? If so please feel free to inbox me.

guestuser
  12/20/2016 16:42 EST

Before anyone asks Search Engine Optimization.

It's someone who works on making web site(s) more visible - that is higher up the list when you google (or use another engine) something.

Part coding, part 'black arts' (linking sites to blogs etc)

Quite a few digital nomads in Colombia do this for a living. US salaries $45k and considerably up a year

2itsfullesttoday
  12/20/2016 17:11 EST

Dang it! I was in a rush and used the wrong term. I need digital marketing (Social media, PPC, etc) NOT SEO. Sorry guys.

timllowe
  12/20/2016 18:14 EST

Damn. I was going to mention that I was a grad student of Don Knuth, low those many years ago. ;)

SunsetSteve
  12/20/2016 18:16 EST

Not to piss you off Tim, but it's "lo". not "low". I am a pedant.

timllowe
  12/20/2016 18:17 EST

You are correct and that did flicker in my aged brain but I decided wrongly.

guestuser
  12/20/2016 18:29 EST

@tl were you the one who worked hard or the one who liked to party?

Luke 15:29

timllowe
  12/20/2016 19:09 EST

@PL - It's a beautiful night. I could see the central range at sunset. I'm on my 2nd martini. I am not looking up bible verses. As a gay Methodist, I reject pretty much anything anyone has to say on the subject.

Bobfrozen1
  12/20/2016 19:29 EST

Only on Expat Exchange can a thread go from a job offer to a gay Methodist drinking two martinis.:) :)

SunsetSteve
  12/20/2016 19:41 EST

As long as he stays away from the marbiggies.

timllowe
  12/20/2016 19:54 EST

Jiggah what?

guestuser
  12/20/2016 20:25 EST

@tl no need t0 disturb the martini.
Some attribute the origin of the phrase that you were quoting to the parable of the Prodigal Son (King James Version), that's all.

Lo, these many years

do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

timllowe
  12/21/2016 07:28 EST

Yes. It is amazing how durable a 17th century and highly politicized has turned out to be. But then states appropriating religion for their own purposes wasn't new then and continues today. Notable contemporary examples being Iran, Saudi Arabia and the American right.

Satsandhu
  12/27/2016 10:14 EST

Good morning there,

I hope you are well. Are you still looking for people fluent in English? Please advise.

Thank you,

Sincerely

Sat

3228164990

themedellingringo
  12/27/2016 16:11 EST

LOL this is too funny...."Michael Peterson" my _ss! Can't get anymore BS than that. This guy doesn't want to throw out private info but he is on a public forum soliciting secrets.

Bobfrozen1
  12/27/2016 21:16 EST

Sat,

I hope you don't get too many strange phone calls from giving out your number on a public forum.

2itsfullesttoday
  12/28/2016 07:14 EST

Wow, Bob. The fact that a potential employer has said that they have some different jobs available, are willing to share the details in private, or, better yet, have a one on one meeting in their office makes them BS?

Impressive.

Bobfrozen1
  12/28/2016 10:27 EST

No, I did not say that. You are probably referring to the Medellingringos statement. My comment was in regards to posting a personal phone number on a public forum which is probably not a good idea. But in the end not my problem.

Bobfrozen1
  12/28/2016 10:44 EST

But I do think using this forum as a job posting site is BS now that you mention it.

As well as outsourcing American jobs so corporations and people like you can make huge profits.

In the end I am sure you will pay next to nothing and consider your workers as disposable. Promise them the world and give them nothing. When they complain you tell them if they do not like it they can go elsewhere. After all you have got what you needed from them.

Thats why you are here in Colombia so you can pay cheap wages and skirt reasonable labor laws.

Too much coffee for me this morning.

themedellingringo
  12/28/2016 16:32 EST

2itsfullesttoday.....Are you working in Colombia legally? Did you pay the $65.000.000 business license fee and obtain a business visa stamped by the Colombian government authorizing you to obtain a Cedula to work here legally?

Or are you just here to find slaves and rip of the Colombians and work under the table?

My guess is that your name is NOT Michael Peterson (that's about as fake as they come) and you never ponied up the money.

Prove us wrong here and show us in writing your legal documents that can be found on public record with the DIAN.

SunsetSteve
  12/28/2016 16:55 EST

There is a perfectly honourle chap in Boquete whose name happens to be Mike Peterson. But I digress . . . :)

SunsetSteve
  12/28/2016 16:56 EST

honourable, obviously.

themedellingringo
  12/28/2016 17:16 EST

Sunset Steve...no worries. But I intend to find the truth because it's offensive to be solicited if by someone who is illegally running a business here and taking advantage of Colombians. We love these people. It's not right. I hope this guy proves me wrong.

guestuser
  12/28/2016 17:17 EST

@mg I think he is who he says he is. If you look at the LinkedIn profile under that name it I connected through some other companies to Pericia Solutions in Cali.

That company seems to have some legit jobs posted. Overwhelmingly they are for people with specific technology skills. There are probably expats with those skills working here as digital nomads but they are unlikely to be interested in working for a company like Pericia. They can earn a lot more money working directly with clients in the US.

The non-technology jobs are things like 'real estate lead generator' which is effectively a cold call scripted 'marketing' role. Unlikely to be little money (or enjoyment) in those roles.

No salaries are shown.

The problem for a company like this is finding the (in demand) technology skills combined with good English skills from local recruitment.
Not many locals have both and they won't be short of offers if they do.

Ex pats solve the English portion but then as most of the available for work ex pat population is older they don't have the specific tech skills. Also to make the economics work salaries need to be at local levels which ex pats may not find enticing.

Although Colombia provides a cheap labor base a lot of work is currently being outsourced from here to India (companies like Tata Consulting are very active here with big companies) because the good tech skills are in such short supply.

So finding the resources that the OP wants, at least to expand, is going to be difficult whether from local or ex pat sources.

One solution is to hire bilingual people to provide the interface between clients and developers. That unlinks the requirement for tech and English skills. It is less efficient (and less profitable) but it is an easier model to implement and one others use.

WhoaNellie
  12/28/2016 18:03 EST

Pericia does show a salary for a PHP Developer with fluent English, it's $5 million COP/month.

http://empleo.cari.com.co/empleo/pericia-solutions?sorting=salary-desc

guestuser
  12/28/2016 18:28 EST

That role in the states pays around $6k a month and up.

cafetero
  12/29/2016 09:08 EST

5milones month versus 18milones month. Mmmm, let me think about it.
I actually do wonder how many expats will jump headfirst into this golden opportunity to work for a sleazy carpetbagger versus working directly for the US company.
This reminds me of a Non-Profit scam that made the rounds here last year. One legitimate NGO in US is soliciting native english speakers to volunteer to teach in Colombia for 4 month intervals and paying travel costs and living expenses plus a stipend about 1,500,000 month.
In jumps the carpetbagger working as a sub-contractor for the legitimate NGO.
The carpetbagger pays volunteers some of the expenses and 800,000 month stipend. He pockets the difference.
The carpetbagger works out of a rented backroom in a sleazy neighborhood in Pereira, but he drums up enough volunteers to make a little easy pocket change. Especially when he screws the volunteers by not paying the last month, claiming the ¨government¨ hasn´t paid him yet.

cafetero
  12/29/2016 09:18 EST

On a related note, I personally have no bitch about a legitimate company posting job offerings on this forum. I personally like to keep an eye on potential opportunities.
Some of us are on a pensionado visa and probably had to sign a document at US Embassy stating we would not work here. But, others on this forum are on other types of visas where working is allowed. Spousal visa, for example.
But, in fairness to forum members, I would hope that anyone posting a job offering here would have a legitimate web site set up to describe the position and the pay range and the requirements and responsibilities. And a good bit of information ab0ut the person/company offering the job. That´s sort of the way its done legitimately, at least it is where I come from.
Someone saying ¨send me a resume blind and I´ll tell you if I have an opening and what I´ll pay¨ is just plain BS in my opinion.
By the way, a quick google of Micheal Peterson....top of the list is the wife murderer/novelist.....you might want to think about that before posting your name on an open web forum. I´m sure there are many many decent men with that same name, so include enough information about yourself so you don´t confuse people.

2itsfullesttoday
  12/29/2016 10:09 EST

You know, @cafetero, I am usually one to keep things civil, especially in an online forum. But you, amigo, are a shi*head.
Let me tell you why.
First, you seriously think that because I share a common name (Michael is basically the most common name in english speaking countries) with someone who committed a crime 13 years ago I should never use my name in an online forum without providing my complete bio? That is F'ing stupid. By the way, there is also a country singer who was famous in the early aught's with my name. . . To stop your old brain from getting confused, that isn't me, either. Oh, and we all spell our name MICHAEL not MICHEAL, just for clarity.

Now on to the substance of your posts (if it can be called that).

Your assumption that I am a "sleazy carpetbagger" (wow show your age much? the depression sucked, huh?) is quickly disabused by a google search of who I am. I am currently working in Colombia, but also own a very successful business in the US., am a frequent speaker, prolific author, and regarded expert in my field. That really doesn't matter, since my field of expertise is neither staffing nor Latin-American offshoring, I am but a babe in this world, but since you attacked me personally instead of any credentials in question I thought I would mention that.

So the fact that my business in Cali hires local people to perform work for American companies and pays the local people more than they make anywhere else in Cali while at the same time saves the American countries a ton of money, reminds you of a rip-off of NGO's? Interesting, but completely irrelevant, observation. No, our wages are not competitive with the US. That is kind of the point. Having said that, my uber to work every day (almost completely across Cali) costs about $2US. The same ride in the US would cost 10X that. So if I pay 1/2 of the prevailing US wage, or even 1/4, and the cost of living is 1/10, that makes me a bad guy? I guess you skipped ECON101. (Before you jump on it, I know not EVERYTHING here is 1/10. In fact I had to buy a mac charger the other day and it was almost double. But the cost of living is a lot less than 1/2 of the US.)

Your comparison to working out of a rented backroom in a sleazy neighborhood (man you like that word, maybe you should grab a thesaurus) is also completely inaccurate, and a bit of fact checking on your part would show you that. No, I am not going to tell you how it would; others on this forum have taken the 2 minutes to discover that we are a legitimate, long-running company in CO, you can do the same. In fact, I have been in contact with many people because of this forum. Thankfully your ignorant ranting is the minority here, but the majority have chosen to contact me directly rather than risk ridicule from a dusty old man who has nothing better to do than make inaccurate assumptions and personal attacks on a public forum.

Oh, to be clear, that statement is not an attack against older people. I am a fairly young 40 myself, but work with and respect people of all ages. It was a comment about you specifically.

In closing, cafetero, I am done with you. I will let you have the last word. Do your best, enjoy, and I will go back to being a productive global citizen.

PLEASE NOTE cafetero the following does NOT apply to you!

If anyone wants to check out our operation in person, tour our facilities, etc, feel free to reach out. We are actually limiting our hiring right now due to the holidays, but expect to ramp up next year.

2itsfullesttoday
  12/29/2016 10:10 EST

You know, @cafetero, I am usually one to keep things civil, especially in an online forum. But you, amigo, are a shi*head.
Let me tell you why.
First, you seriously think that because I share a common name (Michael is basically the most common name in english speaking countries) with someone who committed a crime 13 years ago I should never use my name in an online forum without providing my complete bio? That is F'ing stupid. By the way, there is also a country singer who was famous in the early aught's with my name. . . To stop your old brain from getting confused, that isn't me, either. Oh, and we all spell our name MICHAEL not MICHEAL, just for clarity.

Now on to the substance of your posts (if it can be called that).

Your assumption that I am a "sleazy carpetbagger" (wow show your age much? the depression sucked, huh?) is quickly disabused by a google search of who I am. I am currently working in Colombia, but also own a very successful business in the US., am a frequent speaker, prolific author, and regarded expert in my field. That really doesn't matter, since my field of expertise is neither staffing nor Latin-American offshoring, I am but a babe in this world, but since you attacked me personally instead of any credentials in question I thought I would mention that.

So the fact that my business in Cali hires local people to perform work for American companies and pays the local people more than they make anywhere else in Cali while at the same time saves the American countries a ton of money, reminds you of a rip-off of NGO's? Interesting, but completely irrelevant, observation. No, our wages are not competitive with the US. That is kind of the point. Having said that, my uber to work every day (almost completely across Cali) costs about $2US. The same ride in the US would cost 10X that. So if I pay 1/2 of the prevailing US wage, or even 1/4, and the cost of living is 1/10, that makes me a bad guy? I guess you skipped ECON101. (Before you jump on it, I know not EVERYTHING here is 1/10. In fact I had to buy a mac charger the other day and it was almost double. But the cost of living is a lot less than 1/2 of the US.)

Your comparison to working out of a rented backroom in a sleazy neighborhood (man you like that word, maybe you should grab a thesaurus) is also completely inaccurate, and a bit of fact checking on your part would show you that. No, I am not going to tell you how it would; others on this forum have taken the 2 minutes to discover that we are a legitimate, long-running company in CO, you can do the same. In fact, I have been in contact with many people because of this forum. Thankfully your ignorant ranting is the minority here, but the majority have chosen to contact me directly rather than risk ridicule from a dusty old man who has nothing better to do than make inaccurate assumptions and personal attacks on a public forum.

Oh, to be clear, that statement is not an attack against older people. I am a fairly young 40 myself, but work with and respect people of all ages. It was a comment about you specifically.

In closing, cafetero, I am done with you. I will let you have the last word. Do your best, enjoy, and I will go back to being a productive global citizen.

PLEASE NOTE cafetero the following does NOT apply to you!

If anyone wants to check out our operation in person, tour our facilities, etc, feel free to reach out. We are actually limiting our hiring right now due to the holidays, but expect to ramp up next year.

Satsandhu
  12/29/2016 15:05 EST

Hello Michael,

What's the best way to get hold of you? Please advise.

guestuser
  12/29/2016 15:57 EST

As he's told you the name of the company Pericia Solutions go to their website

Periciasolutions.com

The site is in English and Spanish. Under 'get started' there's a contact page. There you can send a message and identify yourself as a job seeker. If you mention this thread I am sure they will work it out. They aren't a huge company.

2itsfullesttoday
  12/29/2016 18:48 EST

Direct contact through here is fine, or my email. I won't put my email to avoid crawlers, but it is simply my first and last name at periciasolutions

timllowe
  12/29/2016 19:14 EST

Just catching up on several threads. Amazed. Do you old farts have no lives? Nothing else to do? Moralize on prostitution in Medellin and attack anyone who tries to do some honest business in Colombia?
I know it's too late. You're mostly old as dirt but GROW THE F UP. GET A LIFE. I think I'll check this forum again in a week or so. Sickening. Sad you represent expats. You're all in Medellin and you wonder why I avoid it like the plague?

WhoaNellie
  12/29/2016 19:47 EST

I always - well, a lot and maybe even more now that I'm in my 7th decade - try to remember "Don't take yourself so seriously - no one else does!"

SunsetSteve
  12/29/2016 20:13 EST

Actually, I am moralizing from the shore of a frozen lake in Canada, wishing they would look back at me from time to time! But I will put all of this to the test come February 7. :)

Leelet
  12/29/2016 20:15 EST

This is such great entertainment. I don't even need TV.

guestuser
  12/29/2016 21:02 EST

@tl You are right. After all it's your forum isn't it. It's a mouthpiece for you to spew all the sh** that you do. And the rest of us read it and give you a pass because we know that deep down there's an intelligent person with a view. A view that we might not agree with (although I do often agree with you) but free speech is free speech. At least for you.

Not that you are easy to read of course. One moment the great liberal the next seemingly supporting the exploration of young poor women. But you always need to fight. Fight against the fools. Fight against those who live in Medellin. Fight against the dying of the light.

But if it makes you more relaxed I'll stop posting as I'm clearly one of the targets of your 'get a life' campaign.

Sickening? That some of us believe that a good New Year's resolution for ex-pats (and sex tourists in particular) to be more aware of our image with our hosts? Attack honest business in Colombia? Is that the guy in Cali? I thought that the concept was positive, thinking of the ex-pat community as a potential workforce. Execution, I thought needed some work and I exchanged messages with him (positive on both sides) about issues that needed to be thought about.

But then I could just rage.

Or I could think that the diversity of opinion on here is interesting. I think I've had disagreements with most of the regulars on here. Do I think any the worse of them? Of course not, they have opinions and agendas just like me. I appreciate the fact that they spend time developing their arguments (even the ones who suggested I was senile).

Yes I am probably old as dirt (as you yourself probably are) but despite a world that lauds youth I don't see it as a badge of shame. Our generation might not have saved the world from tyranny but we have a lot to be proud of.

But like many in our generation I've no desire for conflict. When I was young I chalked CND signs on the walls of the village I lived in.

So when you check back in again in a week tell me what you think. Is it OK for me to continue to post or do I need to be silent?

timllowe
  12/29/2016 21:39 EST

What a thin skinned idiot you are. Thanks for underscoring my point.

2itsfullesttoday
  12/29/2016 21:45 EST

Hey PL, first, great Dylan reference. Secondly, I don't think its fair to slam on TL for jumping to the defense of the new guy. I haven't been the most eloquent on here (most of my posts are from my phone in a meeting or at an airport) and CT's response was a personal and direct attack on my moral character. Kind of rude and uncalled for. Lots of assumptions were made, most incorrectly. I think TL (not to speak for him) was frustrated because the EP group could be seriously damaged if newbies like me were driven away instead of embraced, even if we trip over our tongue. Of course TL doesn't doesn't see that people (yourself included) reached out privately to offer support, seek clarification, etc instead of attacking.

The age thing is a non-issue. All of us on here are at some point of over the hill!

TL didn't say you don't have a right to speak, just that he disagrees with a majority of the opinions coming out of MD. I haven't been here long enough to agree or disagree. But seriously, it sounds like you guys have had a respectful discourse. Don't let some craziness on a thread I started stop that!

guestuser
  12/29/2016 22:05 EST

@tl I'll wait until you are sober before I take your finial word.

First you p*** on people, then you accuse them of being thin skinned. You may have the proportions on the martinis right, just pouring them too deep in the glass.

cafetero
  12/30/2016 07:51 EST

This whole thread with most of its entertainment value could easily have been avoided just by doing what the legitimate world does when advertising a job opening:
Company Name, job title and brief description, how to contact (in this modern age a web page link is expected).

That business model is so freaking simple and straightforward there is absolutely no surprise that it works exceedingly well without appearing sleazy, carpetbagger-y or shyster-y.

TL in Cali, it is no wonder people don´t like you sometimes. Your posts are like a yo-yo, one day promoting civility and good fellowship the next day trashing everybody who lives anywhere else in the world besides Cali.

WhoaNellie
  12/30/2016 10:09 EST

And TL doesn't even live in Cali, he lives in Jamundí, home of the cholao...

Jamundí is a nice southern "suburb" of Cali. We have friends who live their and it is quite pleasant, with the "big city" close enough but not too close...

timllowe
  12/30/2016 18:04 EST

What can I say? Facts are correct. Opinions are a pile just like you.

JasonWriter
  12/31/2016 01:38 EST

I think most people here are likely pretty cool. It's just that if you spend enough time in an online forum, surrounded by people's online personalities, you will begin to go crazy, or at least become a tad ornery at points. Because too much of anything, and all that. With this thread it did sort of seem as though a couple people wanted to valiantly slay a monster, and when it turned out there was no monster it was kind of like, "Welp. We're all armored up with nothing to slay, so let's just swing our swords around! Get out of our daggone country!"

Bobfrozen1
  12/31/2016 12:44 EST

Yep Jason sounds about right.

josephmancini29
  1/1/2017 22:35 EST

My name is Joe Mancini. Early in my career I taught ESL (8 years). I am now retired and expect to be moving to Colombia around June of this year. I have a Masters in Spanish. I can also be reached at [email protected]. What is the positions you are looking to fill? Thank you, happy new year.

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