In this video, Spanish teacher Lucía interviews Miguel, a fellow Spaniard, about his seven-month experience living in Colombia. Miguel, who also teaches Spanish at depredespanol.com, shares his "culture shocks" – both what he experienced and what he might have inadvertently caused. He explains his choice of Colombia was primarily due to the pleasant climate, a welcome change from the harsh winters of the Czech Republic and hot Spanish summers, and the ease of obtaining a digital nomad visa. He settled in Pereira, a non-touristy city in the coffee region, which offered a more authentic experience. Miguel's biggest cultural shock was the pervasive lack of urgency in Colombia. Unlike the fast-paced European lifestyle, everything in Pereira, from walking and talking to administrative tasks and restaurant service, was done slowly. He found this initially frustrating, especially when dealing with bureaucratic processes, but ultimately beneficial, as it helped him shed the intense stress he carried from Spain. He also discusses linguistic misunderstandings, noting that while his background as a Spanish teacher and having Colombian friends in Spain helped, he still encountered differences. For example, "de pronto" in Spain means "suddenly," but in Colombia, it means "perhaps" or "maybe." This led to confusion, particularly when Colombians would say "de pronto llego" (perhaps I'll arrive) when they actually meant "I won't come." A significant cultural difference Miguel observed was the Colombian tendency to avoid direct "no." Instead of outright declining an invitation, people would say "yes" and then offer excuses later, a stark contrast to the directness common in Spain. He also touched upon dating culture, where men are generally expected to pay for everything, a practice he found unfamiliar coming from Spain, where gender equality in finances is more common. Regarding vocabulary, Miguel learned new terms for clothing and food. For instance, what Spaniards call a "sudadera" (hoodie), Colombians call a "buzo," and their "sudadera" refers to sweatpants. The word "plátano" also differs, with Colombians using it for a large, cooked plantain, while the sweet fruit Spaniards call "plátano" is known as "banano" in Colombia. He also shared a humorous anecdote about a friend's confusion over "choclo" (corn) in Argentina, highlighting how even within the same language, regional variations can lead to comical misunderstandings. Finally, Miguel addresses common stereotypes and cultural nuances. He recounts being frequently imitated for his Spanish accent and being jokingly asked to "return the gold," a reference to the Spanish colonization. He emphasizes that he and his generation bear no responsibility for historical events. He also notes that Colombians are generally less direct, more formal, and use fewer expletives than Spaniards. They prioritize courtesy, often using "usted" (the formal "you") by default, even with strangers, and employing elaborate polite phrases. Punctuality is also less emphasized, with flexible meeting times being common. In terms of food, he highlights the widespread use of vegetable oil instead of olive oil, which alters the taste of dishes, and the limited vegetarian options in restaurants. However, he raves about the abundance and quality of tropical