The following is a guest post by Marcello Arrambide.
My current around the world trip has led me to the booming city of Medellin, Colombia.
I have been living in Medellin now for a full week, and while there is always a game when it comes to men and women, the dynamic is much different in Medellin (and all of Colombia).
First, let me start off by saying that the Medellin women are not pretty, they are gorgeous.
After you read this post, I would encourage you to see the pics of Colombian Models (tempting isn’t it?).
If you ask most men and women (even Colombians), they will gladly say that the most beautiful women come from Medellin and Cali.
When I first arrived in Medellin, my neck was sore from looking left and right at all the beautiful women on the streets.
By the time the day was over, I didn’t bother looking at most of the women because I knew there would be more on the next street.
Beauty is not hard to find in Colombia, but what about everything else?
Disclaimer: This is not all women in Colombia but my impression of most of them in the first week that I have been here.
On more than one occasion, I have noticed that there is a fierce competition between Medellin women.
As soon as two women meet each other they resentfully check each other out, starting with the shoes, of course. They ask each other questions to which they don’t care what the answer is and put up with each other when they have to.
Colombian culture is based heavily on appearance which is why it is one of the plastic surgery capitals of the world; nose jobs, liposuction, boob jobs, and yes, even butt jobs. Hard Buns anyone?
In most parts of the world, women are very shy. They do not make the first move and always expect the men to do the first approach.
There are always exceptions, the only places I have been where the women are very forward and aggressive (they approach first) are in New York City and Europe.
Medellin women are not forward, but they let you know very clearly what they want.
If you are out at a bar or club, they will go out of their way to make eye contact and keep doing so until you approach them.
Once you approach, they have a way of endearing themselves to you very quickly.
They often use words and phrases that make the manliest of men want to turn a Colombian into a housewife (kidding.. kind of).
They not only charm you with their words, but they also are extremely affectionate.
Women are very approachable, so there is no need to let your insecurity control you. If you like a woman, go up and talk to her, there’s a 90% chance she’ll like your company.
The debate is out there whether you should kiss on the first date or not. In Colombia, every woman that I have asked says that kisses on the first date don’t usually happen.
What they don’t mention is that if you have white skin, light eyes and are considered as Gringo as a Ford F-150, then you will kiss on the first date. If you didn’t know, Gringo is King in Colombia.
Colombian women are very old fashioned.
They are not going to be interested in you if you consider a first date to include romantic music in the back seat of your car. They expect to be taken out and shown a good time.
This could include a dinner, lunch, and even a Paisa’s (paisa = person from Medellin) favorite, salsa dancing.
Disclaimer: They don’t strive to be Beyonce “independent women” status in Medellin, women are very old fashioned and expect you to pay. Yes, that includes their taxi ride home.
Most people in Colombia have prepaid cell phones.
They load their phones with credit to use text messages and make phone calls.
What you don’t know is that no one ever has any credit.
Don’t get excited when you get a girls phone number because there is no sexting (text sex).
When you send a woman a text, she won’t respond…that costs money.
If she calls you, she will hang up right away because that costs money.
The best way to interact is via old fashioned phone calls, or my personal favorite, MSN Messenger (and increasingly, Facebook or Skype).
The climate in Medellin is almost the same throughout the entire year. Medellin is located near the Equator, and also is in a valley which contributes to the constant Spring-like climate.
Women are usually dressed in jeans whenever they go out. Sandals are also a no-no unless, you want to be considered a tourist in Medellin.
[Editor’s Note: check out A Woman’s Guide to the Medellin Look for more commentary on ladies’ fashion here.]
So there, you have it ladies and gentlemen! Rules of the game presented to you by a person who has only been here a week! If you don’t believe any of the things in this article, I would encourage you to visit Medellin.
My first week has been nothing short of amazing, and I can’t wait to share my thoughts on the bustling city once my time is up.
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About the Author: Marcello Arrambide has been working for freedom his entire life. He’s unlocked the secret through day trading and now wanders the world. He has lived in 12 countries spanning 5 continents and has even visited the elusive Antarctica. You can find him on his blog, Wandering Trader, Twitter @Wanderingtradr and Facebook.
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I've never been to Medellin, but the women in Cartagena were definitely the most beautiful I've ever seen, and like you said have an amazing way of letting you know they're interested just by using their eyes. Great story!
Just got back from Cartagen- no they are not- African/indian look to them- definitely not hot?!?
Congratulations - same old hackneyed, sexist rubbish about Colombian women - only this post transcends the usual with its mind numbingly banal generalisations about women as a whole
"In most parts of the world women are very shy"
For someone who calls himself the Travelling Trader you really need to get out more
Gringa? haha typical. The women here laugh at you.
NickTheRobber!!! You took the words right out of my mouth!
Nick, thats why the post is about women in medellin, not all colombian women as whole. And for the average female, yes women are very shy, and they wont come up to you out of the blue to start a conversation
Greenglobaltravel: They do the same in medellin!
I agree. How many women have approached you, compared with how many times you get approached?
dude you have to be a colombiana male. if anything the gringo is laughing at the colombian men. they cant take care of their own children, they beat their girlfriends, they cant keep their hands off anyone other than their own woman. i have spent five years traveling to colombia for business and i personally have encountered many beautiful, sexy, and nice women. sure there are the bad apples and sure there are those who would rather be taken care of by a man than do any work. in general they are gorgeous, passionate, and very loyal. it helps if you can speak fluent spanish. dont kid yourself on that
Interesting post, I thought it was a post on Naughty Nomad when it came across my Google Reader!
Really enjoyed the read. It is funny how radically different cultures can be from one place to another. Just because women aren't shy doesn't mean they're not old fashioned, and in other places women might be shy, but don't have the same "old fashioned" beliefs about going further once they warm up to you. Also appreciate the very city specific read on this. Happy travels and I look forward to reading more!
Great post!
I'm an American too and will be heading down to Medellin for some Columbian tushy later this year
See you there
I have both lived and worked in Colombia. The women are awsome. Not like american women who no longer will commit to marriage and family....and have lost all morals and values.
Colombian woman are not necesarilly looking to go to the states. The are just looking for happiness, wheather is in Colombia or elsewhere. They are beautiful, especially in Medellin and Cali. Medellin is my preference. Bogata is a close second, and does overal have more to offer.
It is true, the women are old fashion, and you do have to make the first move. Just say "Hola", and immedately, the woman will take over the conversation from there. Yes, it is that easy. I never failed to have a girlfriend on each trip I ever took or had in Colombia. The other thing that is true, is you should learn some spanish...it will open a new world.
One last note; all my friends who ever married a Colombian or latin woman, ALL have very sucessful marriages. I will Never marry an american woman again. I'm tired of being cheated on by american women who can no longer stay faithful.
Good luck....start learning spanish!... Airjnk
If you find yourself with a girl who doesn't have the money for a taxi, you are setting the bar pretty low, and probably going out with a poor barrio girl, hot but pretty boring. I've lived in Medellin for 4 years now, game up and go after quality! Also, the girls pictured here are probably in the 10% that will not enjoy your company if you come up to them, especially if you don't speak spanish (can't stress that point enough).
I'm curious as to where you are meeting the quality girls you speak of? Are there particular bars or clubs you frequent (ie. the more expensive ones)? Or are you meeting them through an extended network of Colombian friends?
I'm paisa and I really hated some parts of this article. Not all the girls are old fashioned, they're just very smart and know you tourist guys will spend money on going out on a date or something... Women here are very responsible and go out for a dance in order to relax, not to find a dumbass tourist who thinks gringo means king (it means you're from other country and we all can tell because of your sandals and looking how you just get out of bed!!) Girls you've met and do that are "prepago" or yes, a barrio girl who even if she has money, will have you paying for everything. You should try meet people here in a Theatre or mall, and see the difference... then you're more than welcome to write something like this "women rules" stuff in my city >.<
Agree
Medellin is FULL of MAZING WOMAN, I've never had one ask me for anything.. and my Amiga's often put up a fight for me to buy them lunch
All these men who complain bout the woman here are just ididots who came to a 3rd world country flashing their money to draw in woman thinking their kings when really their talking shit behind his back and enjoying free drinks, I never brag about my money or job here and woman treat me just like their own men, ill buy them a cheap beer that's it.
lmao gtfo money flashers!
I am looking for lots of info about medellin and friend world be good to star i wil be there in June
can you skype me i need good info opticguard
I understand that you currently live in Medillin and wonder if you can help me. I currently live in Panama city after living a year in Bocas Del Toro and now living here, I am tired of Panama as a whole and I am considering on moving to Columbia.I am retired Canadian military and have a pension to live on. Would you recommend that city and if so could you please contact me so I can get a few ideas off of you before moving there next month. My email is waswiser@hotmail.com Thank you in advance. I plan on moving there at the end of October 2012.. Thanks again..
Pogopop: This has nothing to do about setting the bar pretty low, whether they can afford the taxi or not, that is the expectation. I have met a lot of women in Medellin and its not just from the barrios, the most do expect that but not all of them
I guess each has their own but the bar I set reads as follows - Normally if they don't have a car, or a way of taking care of their own transportation, I am not interest. I don't want to be with a woman who rides the bus. On that note, I'm not the "nicest" guy with the ladies, for example I once turned my back to a girl on Calle 10 in Poblado when she asked me for cab fare (it was our first date). Turns out she had it, and stranger still we wound up hooking up that night. The point - beware the generalizations, you've got to read each girl as their own.
Dave - Colombian friends yes, sometimes. Pricey clubs and restaurants, not necessarily. For me it is about observing how people present themselves (dress, language, body language, the friends she is surround with, how intelligent she is, etc.) Also, note my refrain for spelling out exactly where to "mingle".
great thread
I'd add the gorgeous paisa chicks aren't stuck up at all because beauty is so common there.
“Pick your furniture like you pick a wife; it should make you feel comfortable and look nice, but not so nice that if someone walks past it they want to steal it.” - Shit My Dad Says. But maybe I'm cynical?
I take it for granted now, but the lack of stuck-upness with the girls is something I noticed immediately upon arrival.
check out the Davalos twins (Colombian) on youtube, type "hermanas Davalos", that'll show you how hot these colombian girls can be. These twins were born in the States to Colombian parents and then were brought back when they were still little. You'll get better results typing "hermanas Davalos" instead of the Davalos twins. Enjoy.
Other Colombian models/actresses to check out on youtube:
Mujeres de Colombia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH7yTraF_oY
Ana Sofia Henao
Maria Fernanda Yepes
Carolina Cruz, look up Carolina cruz fashion Tv
Natalia Paris
Lina Marulanda
Adriana Arboleda, retired and mature but still Hot
Ana Lucia Dominguez (actress):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJPnVhUzkN0&playnext=1&list=PLC415983B1D90247A
Zharik Leon
There's more but I don't know their names, enjoy.
That's funny, I'm actually following the Davalos twins on Facebook! Hard not to look at the photos they post. :)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Camila-Y-Mariana-Davalos/182072975163898
Thanks for the other suggestions!