Colombia - Critical Cultural Issues Part 3

For foreign nationals and expatriates with kiddies you'll have some of the following considerations in addition to a few others of your own in these important areas. Here in part three, we continue to consider crucial issues of Colombian society like the consumer protection regulations, educational process, offense, minorities and the influence of unemployment that reaches as high as 800-676 - and no, that's not a misprint. Keep reading...11. The training process encourages vagabond attitudes.There currently exists an insurance policy in public places schools NEVER to 'fail' learners. You may skip lessons (Did YOU actually play 'Hookey'?). It is possible to fail even an endless string of 'makeup' examinations. You can forget study, class contribution, homework or almost productive action in class and the learner can still 'pass' to the next grade level at the end of the school year. Today in many schools, there's no research. uncaring, gradual, slothful and uninspired pupils move from one rank to another with practically no effort in any way knowing that they almost can't fail. This means that barring all else the students do not obtain irritating 'wake-up' phone until they enter the university level or the workforce and discover, that in life, you can fail. The grade of Colombian education may differ widely according to area, cost and management from primary through the college level.12. There's little if any client protection.Talk of a bone to choose, this one's a biggie for me personally. Nothing you've seen prior has the term 'Caveat emptor' - 'Allow purchaser beware' been more appropriate. From investing in a house or condominium, to a car, major devices, furniture or goods and services (maids, plumbers, electricians, contractors) of most forms, there is almost no solution for an unwary customer. Suppliers disappear instances following a important sales, consumer situations rarely ensure it is to a court docket and enforcement of contracts or legal contracts could be laughable. Individuals, when chosen for in-house jobs in any occupation, industry or service have to be constantly be 'observed' to avoid robbery, using exorbitant 'pauses' or just 'goofing off' face to face. There is no 'overall program' for validating workers or experts, therefore finding capable support workers could be a bit of a concern most of the time.13. Regions and towns of the nation inhabited mainly by minorities are very under-developed.The first several times I went into regions of the Pacific coast, I almost cried at the absolutely simple conditions people live in - this is the 21st century, I reminded myself. Men have landed on the moon, orbited the planet earth for weeks at time, plumbed the ocean's frigid depths and built houses that remain true through the clouds. Yet individuals are obliged to live without even the standard of features. No running water or bathrooms. No energy. Forget even the hint of the telephone. Unpaved roads and streets where there are actually roads whatsoever. Frequent flooding. No sewage facilities. Mosquitoes and flies infest everything delivering the illnesses with them. Nutritionally bad diets comprising whatever they are able to hunt and but a few fruits, veggies. In 2001 nevertheless, Colombian food crowned Vanessa Alexandra Mendoza Bustos, originally from of Colombia's lowest many pristine parts - the Choco, its first black Miss Colombia. A more modern black Miss Colombia finalist also reported that she had 'never seen a car until she was not exactly twenty years old'!14. Unemployment is often at sky-high rates and is continually rising.The stark contrast of the 'Haves' and the 'Have Nots' has almost never been more pronounced than it is here. Town of Cartagena, the so-called 'crown jewel' of Colombia is but one of these. While vast amounts are invested to finance the pageantry of the Miss Colombia Beauty Pageant, just a few blocks away local citizens withstand decaying properties, available sewers, flooding and other basic features - whilst the contest is beginning. The unemployment rate among blacks in the region is reputed to be in excess of 80%. Can it be any wonder that crime is a major problem in different locales and there too? But this of course, is not the facial skin of Cartagena that gets published outside of Colombia.15. Violent crimes are considered go