Blog
A Peach Among Coconuts 🍑🥥
Before “expat” was a trend or came with relocation packages and coworking visas, my Colombian parents were already living the expat life—1970s edition: no Internet, using dictionaries and maps to navigate through life.
They landed in Siegen, Germany, a town with fewer than 100k people and probably even fewer expats.
Will they ever STOP talking?
Have you ever “rolled your eyes” or lost patience talking to Latinxs ?… well humor is always the best representation of reality
Is this a “STOP” culture or a “DON’T STOP” culture?
After traveling for two weeks through Vietnam and Cambodia, I realized something unexpected: The real intercultural experts aren’t consultants or researchers they’re tour guides.
Think about it: A good tour guide meets people from dozens of nationalities, spends hours (or entire days) with them, and knows that, in the end, it’s all about those tips. 😉
Being a Polyglot and the Subtle Art of Cultural Switching
Ever met someone who can translate perfectly but still misses the vibe of what’s being said?
It got me thinking — are we cultural chameleons, adapting seamlessly to different worlds? Or are we just translating parrots, repeating words beautifully without truly absorbing the culture behind them? 🦜
The Real Intercultural Experts? Tour Guides building trust
After traveling for two weeks through Vietnam and Cambodia, I realized something unexpected: The real intercultural experts aren’t consultants or researchers they’re tour guides.
Think about it: A good tour guide meets people from dozens of nationalities, spends hours (or entire days) with them, and knows that, in the end, it’s all about those tips. 😉
Time isn’t neutral. It’s cultural: Both approaches work, just differently
1- ROLEX cultures (very punctual, very structured):
Time is precise. Meetings start when scheduled, end when planned, and calendars are commitments. If it’s in the calendar, it’s basically a contract. Changing plans at the last minute? That can feel disrespectful, chaotic, or… mildly alarming.
GOLDEN RULE: Time is money = be efficient.
When Time Speaks Louder Than Words: What Your Calendar Reveals About Culture
What does your calendar say about your culture? And no, I’m not just talking about being “on time.”
Growing up German–Colombian, I learned early on that time means very different things depending on where you are in the world. I can navigate German precision with ease—schedules are sacred, punctuality is respect. But I can just as naturally interpret what’s really behind a simple word like “ahorita.”