tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932416299388256731.post3238387780338544373..comments2024-01-29T21:00:05.686-07:00Comments on Colombian Culture, Colombia Adoption and Raising Colombian Kids: Political Correctness?!?! Or Lack ThereofColombian Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08159182119933326242noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932416299388256731.post-41096464550097700242012-08-14T03:09:01.249-06:002012-08-14T03:09:01.249-06:00Well in Colombia, we don't hide the obvious an...Well in Colombia, we don't hide the obvious and you are what you are: be that overweight, skinny, tall, short, blond, black. But these are all terms of endearment.<br /><br />So sometimes the opposite is also used. I have a cousin who 1.96 or about 6'4". His friends often call him "largo" for elongated or "enano" for dwarf. <br /><br />I think the most confusing of this Colombian propensity to not deny the physical realities of their family members, friends and even mere passersby in the street for Americans is probably the use of "negro" "negra" "negrito" or "negrita". These are commonly used and mostly without any racial overtones. And yes even passerbys will address by what they premuse to be your most defining physical trait.<br /><br />For example if someone saw that I had my shoelaces untied they might say "mono, amararte el zapato antes que te caigas." Literally, "hey blonde guy, tie your shoes before trip." I actually have brownish hair but Colombian standards soy rubio.Charles Lemosnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932416299388256731.post-13407921268381009602012-07-23T10:42:53.423-06:002012-07-23T10:42:53.423-06:00This is so true! When I started getting to know my...This is so true! When I started getting to know my boyfriends family and traveled to colombia for my first time i was always getting upset at the little names they would call me. At first you think that they are just trying to be mean, but after understanding that thats just how they do things its funny to me and I actually really enjoy the nicknames. American culture is too uptight when it comes to this, and everyone wants to sugar coat things and not be honest about how it really is. I really admire the colombian culture for this. So now when i get called "gringa!! gringa!!!" in bogotá I can smile an appreciate it :)Sarah Parkerhttp://www.facebook.com/sarahelizabethparkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932416299388256731.post-60084130548630859952012-04-03T13:57:10.834-06:002012-04-03T13:57:10.834-06:00I too have been called "La Mona" -- Blon...I too have been called "La Mona" -- Blondie, which I like far better than Gringa :)Colombian Mommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08159182119933326242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932416299388256731.post-89481025955787040932012-04-03T13:42:53.072-06:002012-04-03T13:42:53.072-06:00My Colombian family (that I married in to) called ...My Colombian family (that I married in to) called me la gorda. It was completely affectionate. If my US family tried that, I'd have punched 'em in the nose!<br /><br />At the market, I was La Mona. "Mona, Mona, le vendo un repollo!"<br /><br />Also, my Colombian family had a good family friend that lived with them, and everyone called her La Negra. I was uncomfortable with it until I realized it was just a description and didn't carry the baggage that it would here.truhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13889090744430536300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932416299388256731.post-57588620806234736422012-04-03T13:28:42.072-06:002012-04-03T13:28:42.072-06:00I had to share this on Facebook. Living in the US,...I had to share this on Facebook. Living in the US, this is one thing I miss the most. It seems that while in Colombia we don't care about political correctness, in the US we take offense to everything that comes out of everyone's mouth. I prefer the former.Lalishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13032456781777406794noreply@blogger.com