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Gratuities, ATMs, life in general

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elpdiver
  1/19/2020 22:02 EST

I find it mildly amusing the lengths that us Gringo's go to find machines that charge the lowest ATM fees and then just piss money away with tips and uninformed consumerism.

Now the ATM is lifeless entity that dispenses our life sustaining cash. I am all for maximizing our value from them and I don't live in Colombia full time so it is of less import to me than residents. But, it seems many will take a longer cab ride or spend more time in these endeavors than it is worth to me. That being said generosity at the ATM changes little of the everyday fabric of society in Medellin. I can vote with my feet and choose to use a different machine and nothing changes for local citizens.

This is not true regarding paying too much for items and services. I have spent very little time in Poblado and Envigado or the locals; but, I suspect that the gringo spending habits have reshaped the norm in those areas. I imagine that "propinas" are expected in many areas and I always inquire and look to see if it show up on a receipt. In Doce de Octubre propinas are very rare. I dine at a local bakery and I always tip. Usually by rounding up to the next mil amont and adding a mil. I always discreetly place it in the servers hand and it is always greatly appreaciated and it shows. The locals don't tip and linger to get every single peso of change returned to them.

In Poblado the taxi's are slow to make change hoping to get a round up or keep the change response. In Doce the taxi's typically round down and are in a hurry to be on their way.

I understand that Gringo generosity in many places in Ecuador have ruined the local economy for locals.

Beggars, panhandlers, poor people. Wow, what to even say here. In my hometown of Houston there are many professional beggars. I work directly in front of the worlds widest Interstate and as a result the worlds widest bridge and panhandling is an art form. Yet somehow, I don't equate the poverty as the same. Many of these "poor" people have homes and work a circuit of loactions usually with their dog with them (boosts the sympathy and income) and go home to their houses that they own/not rent when they are done.

Contrast that with encounters in Colombia and one cannot help but feel moved. (At least I cannot). My usual practice is to put ten one mil coins in my pocket when I am out and I give them our or make purchases as opportunity presents itself. I have yet to have very many repeat beggars. And one one occaision I gave them all to one individual and was overwhelmed at the response.

The only time I ever was truly pestered was near La Playa in Medellin. A beggar had targeted me three days in a row and would not leave me in peace; He kept insistently shoving his open grubby hand in my face and haranging me for money. Finally having had enough I snatched a few one mil coins that he had carelessly left in his open palm in front of me and thanked him profusely for the offer to buy me a beer. I sat at a local street cafe and ordered an ice cold cerveza and enjoyed it to an ovation from the locals.

In the states my brother gave me no end of grief for tipping the skycap at New Orleans international twenty bucks to take my bags all of a few hundred feet. Well that fellow knows me by name and if on duty steps up and has saved me on overweight fees on my bags several times.

YMMV.

LPd

elpdiver
  1/19/2020 22:05 EST

As an afterthought,

I always let a local pay the bills. I give them the money; but, they pay the bills and check the charges and provide the tips.

My wife typically drops me off at a tienda for a beer when checking into a motel to avoid the "gringo iva".

LPd

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joenancy
  1/20/2020 07:04 EST

After 14 years here, I keep thinking I have heard and seen it all. NOT HARDLY.... A young guy selling chicklets at the traffic light for 50 pesos. He came up to my window. Said:
Gringo, give me 10 thousand pesos and I will never bother you again. I thought it was funny, so I did. Joe

Elexpatriado
  1/20/2020 08:46 EST

What is the Gringo IVA?

I am pretty good at negotiating the lowest price at hotels.


If you come here as a tourist you specifically dont pay IVA

I dont usually tip taxi drivers, but restaurants usually but not always.

I dont give money to beggars (rarely) but volunteer and provide financial support to a few charitable foundations, And when I see a group of Venezuelans with back packs in transit I buy then m peanuts or empanadas or fruit or whatever is availble in a short distance

Everybody is entitled to be as cheap or generous as stingy as they want to be with whoever they want to be, for whatever item or reason or what evr time. It is your own free will and conscience.

SkyMan
  1/20/2020 11:28 EST

If a taxista tries to short-change you...just keep holding out your hand & he'll give you the proper change=problem solved. I'll tip a taxista when the temps really hot and he has the AC on, otherwise no tips, as they are not tipped by the locals. So I do not rock-the-boat. Buena Suerte !

saiid20
  1/20/2020 16:53 EST

Our search for the perfect ATM is "mildly amusing" ?
Think the way I do for a moment...
I get money 5 or 6 times a month and my choices are Bancolombia or Colpatria for ATM's (about 100 feet apart...sorry)
The former will charge me 12.000 pesos for the transaction..the latter...zero....
Lets say 5 times a month, 12 months a year...do the math...720.000 savings using Colpatria.
I'm the one mildly amused...as I go about changing the Colombian way of life by tipping the waiter 2.000 for my noon meal....

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Elexpatriado
  1/20/2020 17:04 EST

Well said Saiid

Pun intended

lpdiver
  1/20/2020 20:45 EST

Elex,

The gringo IVA I am referring to is the fact that most will charge a gringo more than a local. My wife or some relative handles most of the negotiating.

Saiid, I am not berating anyone in particular just an observation. Most of the amusement is at my own family. My wife not wanting to use ATM's close to Doce de Octubre AND not wanting to withdraw maximum amounts at the ATM's. So taxi cost, plus the ATM fee, plus typically a meal for her, myself, and whatever cola that is tagging along. Of course those living inside the Gringo bubbles (not saying you) of Poblado and Envigado etc have options that those of us slumming in Doce don't have.

LPd

Elexpatriado
  1/20/2020 22:27 EST

I know what you meant.

I know how to negotiate with hotels.

They charge the same price to everyone on Booking.com

I did notice in Ecuador, if you go on the US Booking.com, they charge you 20% more than if you go on the Colombian Spanish version.

However, the Colombian hotels the price is the same on both sites.

WesternTanager
  1/21/2020 15:14 EST

This thread is a good one, especially since I will be in Colombia for the first time soon.

I still am not sure I understand the norms regarding tipping. I do not want to tip unnecessarily but I also do not want to be rudely cheap.

So what is suggested in various circumstances?

We plan to use a taxi after arriving at the airport to take us to a reserve for bird watching and then the same guy to pick us back up two days later and take us to the airport where we will rent a car for the rest of our stay. Should we tip him at all? If so on both trips or just after the second trip?

What is the standard for tips in restaurants?

What would be standard for tipping of a birding guide?

Would you normally tip the staff at a hotel or Booking.com place?

Thanks!

Andresen
  1/21/2020 15:24 EST

Basically, forget about tipping here. In some restaurants when you ask for the check if they say "con servicio", that is your opportunity to tip...if you want.

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pocopelo
  1/21/2020 18:44 EST

In the case of this taxi trip, certainly I'd tip the guy so that he'd be more likely to show up for the return trip two days later.

nonames
  1/21/2020 18:50 EST

Good Point Poco!

saiid20
  1/21/2020 19:12 EST

What I do:

Taxis get 2.000 per bag (airport trips) Otherwise normally just round it up to the next 000.

Daily restauranys...ejecutivos.2.000 to the waitress. If its a small place , and it often is, the owner servess...and he gets zero.

Higher class restaurants usually build in the tip...as much as 10%..but its only a "suggestio

Live in gated community and get a monthly DHL package. If the guard is nice enough to call me when it arrives...he gets 2.000

Take out places like Juan Valdez zero

Cant think of anyone else who gets or doesnt my hard earned money..but if I think of anyone else...I'll let u know...

saiid20
  1/21/2020 19:14 EST

ok forgot the cleaning lady at hotels...another 2.000 per nite stayed...

Blenheim
  1/21/2020 19:58 EST

In about the last 3 years a "propina"
(tip) is automatically added to the check--so either pay it or reduce it from the total----Found in all reasonably good restaurants on the check----We typically pay the propina---

In a small restaurant or small coffee shop there may be a jar on the counter one can put a tip in----

We do not tip a taxi unless we are late and the driver drives as a Juan Montoya----

We tip a bellman for luggage to the room-----again with reasonably good hotels--

We do not pay / tip beggars with babies on the street--those are typically "rent a baby for the day" by borrowing a real woman's baby by a woman beggar, posing as the baby's real mother---

Elexpatriado
  1/22/2020 10:00 EST

I agree with Blenheim and follow his stuff pretty closely

Excecpt for the "Rent A Baby" stuff. Chismosos.

Now how would a gringo or a Colombian wife have inside information confirming that the Venezuelans rent out babies?

Is there a Baby rent out shop where Venezuelans get their Passport or Cedula registered before they rent out babies? Or how else is this typical Colombiana "Chismoso" verified factually?

Elexpatriado
  1/22/2020 10:03 EST

I also see "we" a lot Blenheim..and complaining about your wife a bit..

Believing chismosos..

More signss of "pussywhiping"
got to get away from her apron strings a bit buddy..do things independently

nonames
  1/22/2020 10:43 EST

No, the "Rent a baby" stuff has been proven. They busted a bunch 'em last year and then we didn't see them on the streets for a while.
They discovered those poor little bambinos were being given sleeping
drugs while being used as props by the beggars.
I was told (very reliable source) that they could get 20mil a day without the baby but as much as 100 with. Was not a rumor. Sad but true.

WhoaNellie
  1/22/2020 11:12 EST

nonames is correct about beggar rings renting babies and drugging them, as this article from July 2019 says:

https://noticiasya.com/nueva-inglaterra/2019/07/24/colombia-rescatan-27-bebes-que-drogaban-y-rentaban-para-pedir-limosna/

And that is just in Bucaramanga, it is undoubtedly a "thing" in other cities, too.

For those of you who have been around, Colombia has long had many many problems as you well know. A good read - but a sad one - is "Colombia Amarga", a collection of short essays by Germán Castro Caicedo. It's available on Kindle, too!

Blenheim
  1/22/2020 11:52 EST

Elex--

I do not recall referencing Venezuelan babies for rent--rather in general terms----this is not unusual for Colombians to do this---

As far as "we" ----- It is much easier to stay single rather than being married if one is not a wuss--- however most married men are wusses in life---about 80% --- for most men need a mother (woman) to run their lives / (tell them what to do)------ for some of those other 20% married who are not wusses---they are less than thrilled (though will never admit it) for they realize if they divorced the old lady (the old bitty) --- they would lose half of their assets--% of retirement etc etc. ---- for others of the 20% ---some just planned better over time so assets are mostly a mute point with them---

For those single----would say many men have this right in their thinking-----particularly older men ---however if contemplating getting marred--suggest find one years younger than oneself ----who wants to drive a 40 year old with many miles when they can buy a 30 year old with less miles--

JustSomeGuy
  1/22/2020 13:03 EST

Enough!
I can deal with the muddled thinking, the disjointed phrases, the bogus statistics and the complete lack of punctuation but for the love of God, it’s “moot point”, MOOT! Not “mute”, unless the point can’t speak.

And it’s “biddy”, by the way, as in: Now that the old biddy is dead it’s a moot point which one of her wretched children was her favorite.

nonames
  1/22/2020 15:51 EST

Wow! That's some Guy!!
And it's "Enough Already!"
( just kidding Guy) I had a good laugh, thanx. I mean thanks.

Elexpatriado
  1/22/2020 16:10 EST

I like you Blenheim..you take a ribbing and dont get offended.

I still find the baby renting thing hard to believe..

Elexpatriado
  1/22/2020 16:11 EST

Yesah..I am sure it can and has happen..but everyone on the corner is with rented babies?

Blenheim
  1/22/2020 16:25 EST

In south Texas--from my area we say the old bitty --a nice way to say the old b***h --

We older rednecks never really learned how to spell---
However we do know the difference between a
mare === female
gelding === neutered male

not much difference with either--
Do we spell it ladder or latter ?? kind of confusing ---

nonames
  1/22/2020 17:38 EST

Now, now LX, nobody is saying that EVERYBODY on the corner has renties;
only that is has and is being done. Nada mas 'mano!
Oh, and yeah, Old Blenheim
is a good sport isn't he?

ponymalta2
  1/23/2020 03:18 EST

I often get impression on this site that gringos have an interesting cultural issue of seeking to pay more, in tips, taxes and expenses.

Elexpatriado
  1/23/2020 07:55 EST

I pay what I want to and what my conscience tells me and dont participate in a "race to the bottom" others tacaños on this site seetolove to play

elpdiver
  1/23/2020 20:53 EST

I have never known any Colombian or Colombiana to pay a tip, with the exception of my wife. She worked in beauty shops and restaurants many many years and never saw a tip until she worked outside of Colombia. Now all my time in Colombia is spent outside of the gringo bubbles so it is what it is.

Elexpatriado
  1/24/2020 09:42 EST

I dont pay attention to whether they tip..but some do..not as much as gringos do..espescially in their home country

Here it is voluntaey and 10% max.

In Canada it is almost obligatory and starts at 15%..on a much higher (usually double) base cost

WesternTanager
  1/24/2020 11:15 EST

Thanks for the lesson on tipping in Colombia.

TextoMex
  1/24/2020 11:59 EST

joenancy, did it work? Thanks

spikerivet
  1/24/2020 19:40 EST

El Ex said: I also see "we" a lot Blenheim..and complaining about your wife a bit..

A bit, El Ex ?? Well Ok, Agreed, as far as emotional content. Blenheim either talks about his marriage in terms that any sane person, or at least any single person would think is just downright awful or is the first to flare off into a ballistic, Blenheim Blitzkrieg at the slightest hint of a political inference that makes you sincerely hope he's taking his heart medicine..

Ok, half kidding, when Blenheim is sedate and factual, he is very thoughtful, informative and actually a bit wise somehow.

Blenheim
  1/24/2020 21:16 EST

Spikerivet--

No heart medicine---However my
required medicine is called "sanity medicine" by returning back to Texas every 2-3 months---

With the posters here everyone brings interesting perspectives---

May be a little harsh or crude to some in my comments------however being married to a Colombian who also has her U.S passport----myself a permanent resident of Colombia----
try and bring my perspective to being married to a Colombian---and also living here as a property owner----
In the end my Anglo culture is still an Anglo culture with Anglo thoughts--not Colombian thoughts----Colombians in their thoughts are 3rd world--(as the rest of the America's) otherwise if not they would all be 1st world-----

I worked and lived in the U.K for 2 1/2 years 12 years ago--(not military--
or government) and thought the Brits were great--plus their dry humor--(real English pubs do not have T.V's--or did not then--which is why they were good story tellers--

spikerivet
  1/25/2020 07:20 EST

I hear you Blenheim. I've been through a lot of the Americas and I"ve considered living down here, either part or full time. I still have a lot of exploring to do.

I probably run counter to nearly everyone here, or at least the very prevalent banter on this forum is one of disdain of visibility of Ex pats in "their" country. ha! Of course I understand a disdain for others who appear to be living as to be just taking from Colombia and making no attempt to fit in the culture and not learn the language. But that's not me. But I like to have contact and communication with people, as you've just said, who think like me. They can be people of all walks of life.

Since you've been candid about your relationships, I'll tell you my situation and thoughts. My most ideal prospects were very compatible with me and well traveled, but both involve someone else dying.
heh heh
But I wonder even if I have a partner or I don't, After while I think 'I'd (We'd) just experience a sense of isolation down here.
Another ex pat could be good, we both like foreign countries, which is a biggie, still I'm not sure what that's about in Colombia, I haven't divvied through photos on dating websites of ex pat women in Colombia. As far as starting a life with someone down here. I suppose I could be persuaded but I really can't see marriage as serving any purpose at this stage of my life. So that probably wouldn't fly. And that's fine.

I realize some here are married with extended family involvements who would be obliged to say that the Colombians the most wonderful people on earth, and I hear it about the Ticos and Mexicans, and I also love the Brazilians but honestly I think separately, it's just a myth. My experience in the Americas about the countries I'd consider is they're mostly pretty similar and they're great people, who've treated me well.. But that's just the experience I've had purely as a traveler passing through. Sure I've been up most of the night with late night parties, loud dog barkings and various native noises.

You can say they're a beautiful people, but they don't think as you. And we are who we are. I mostly agree with you. So for me, I don't disdain seeing or meeting people of my general origin and background which would be North American and European, and I wouldn't mind being in a community where there were some people of my background. Now some people may have the capacity to overlook that or substitute other things in their place, I'm not sure I would. Which of course doesn't mean you just don't do it and see, and I'm looking at possibilities to make it work.

Wildstubby
  1/25/2020 09:31 EST

I guess spikerivet that the old saying goes, "Different strokes for different folks!" One takes happiness where and with whom they find it. I can give you a myriad of reasons why life in the US with a Colombiana is best and I'm sure you can counter me on every one why it is not. So in life, one size doesn't fit all. You just have to find what, (and who) does fit to make it work. Be it climbing volcanoes and having a chicha on the side, (elex!) or traveling the world with a partner looking for a place to 'slough off your mortal coil'. Personally, I salute you in your endeavors, along with anyone else trying to do the same!

Blenheim
  1/27/2020 09:58 EST

Wildstubby-

About a Colombiana living in the states--depends---

Her family being in Colombia---if from a very close family--she will miss home----unless her family has visas--impossible to visit the states--

Also depends on where one lives in the states---for in different areas people perceive people differently-

In the northeast one is a Puerto Rican--

in Florida one is a --- Cuban--Venezuelan

in Texas--- one is a Mexican

in Idaho --Alaska one is from
another planet--

In Colombia an Anglo is an Anglo
everywhere--

guestuser
  1/27/2020 17:39 EST

Miami has plenty of Colombian pockets, Kendall area, broward, Pembroke Pines my ex was a Tica she found a bunch of Colombiana amigas( closer culturally than caribe latinas) in Pembroke Pines,

guestuser
  1/27/2020 17:40 EST

Miami has plenty of Colombian pockets, Kendall area, broward, Pembroke Pines my ex was a Tica she found a bunch of Colombiana amigas( closer culturally than caribe latinas) in Pembroke Pines,

Blenheim
  1/27/2020 19:57 EST

I meant they all look the same until one hears them speak-which gives away their native country----
Just as Anglo's al look the same--

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