#1 2008-11-20 11:17:46
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- From: small earth
- Registered: 2008-06-01
- Posts: 5411
Do and don't in Venezuela
Are you living in Venezuela? We need you to share your experience of the local customs 
Is it difficult to adjust to the local customs in Venezuela?
Could you please share with us a list of the do's and don't's in Venezuela?
Thanks!
The expat blog team
Share your expat experience!
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#2 2009-09-08 04:58:34
- lwdwig
- New member
- From: Bogota
- Registered: 2009-09-08
- Posts: 3
Re: Do and don't in Venezuela
I live in Venezuela, if you want to come for a visit here, you will find friendly people, however there are places where you can be at danger, the cities have different places for poor people and for rich people, be sure where you want to go. Malls are safer places where to stay, go to movies, walk or meet people.
Any questions? please write your question here.
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#3 2009-09-17 14:29:48
- jtcirillo
- New member
- From: Atlanta
- Registered: 2009-09-17
- Posts: 3
Re: Do and don't in Venezuela
Where do you live in Venezuela?
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#4 2010-02-01 16:26:13
- laurar757
- New member
- From: CARACAS
- Registered: 2010-02-01
- Posts: 3
Re: Do and don't in Venezuela
CARACAS AND THE WHOLE COUNTRY IS NOT AS SAFE AS WE WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU BUT STILL YOU CAN LIVE IN PEACE WITH A COMMON SENSE ATTITUDE...
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#5 2010-02-01 16:34:52
- laurar757
- New member
- From: CARACAS
- Registered: 2010-02-01
- Posts: 3
Re: Do and don't in Venezuela
lwdwig wrote:
I live in Venezuela, if you want to come for a visit here, you will find friendly people, however there are places where you can be at danger, the cities have different places for poor people and for rich people, be sure where you want to go. Malls are safer places where to stay, go to movies, walk or meet people.
Any questions? please write your question here.
I WOULD ADD THAT IN VENEZUELA THERE IS NOT SUCH AN ONLY "RICH AND POOR" AREAS. WE DO HAVE A LARGE VARIETY OF ECONOMIC LEVELS -
DANGER IS ALMOST EVERYWHERE SO LOCAL PEOPLE AND VISITORS SHOULD BE AWARE. CARACAS IS A 5 MILLION PEOPLE PLACE AND HAS A PARTICULAR POLITICAL SITUATION... JUST BE CAUTIOUS...DONT BE ALONE AT NIGHT...TRY TO KEEP YOUR EYES WIDE OPEN... BE AWARE AND ABOVE ALL, SMILE!!!!!!!!!
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#6 2010-03-22 16:59:45
- Green Meenie
- New member

- Registered: 2010-02-11
- Posts: 3
Re: Do and don't in Venezuela
So; is the biggest danger from petty criminals looking to get money through criminal activity or are there political over tones to "dangerous situations" you speak of? I'm just curious because I am of the impression that political corruption, on both a federal and municipal level, might be more prevelant in Venezuela than say in North America. I may be wrong on that but you would certainly know if you live in the country.
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#7 2010-06-19 18:30:14
- fredgt28
- New member
- From: Caracas
- Registered: 2010-06-19
- Posts: 2
Re: Do and don't in Venezuela
For Asians that are going to move to this place beware of constant racism. As they refer to all Asians as "Chino" meaning Chinese or even "Cachichen" from a very racist telecom commercial. Also, beware of being constantly pulled over by "cops" (Thieves with Rights or Ladrones con derecho) for no particular reason at all other than that youre Asian. Its a factor of racism not because of hate (but most time it is) but mostly because they want to get some money from you. Basically, they come up with some lame reason to pull you over and they wont let you go until you bribe them.
Well, I still got TONS more stories to tell.
Sometimes I feel Im the only Asian American livin gin this country and I would love to share many stories of the abuse, racism and so on. US embassy, we need your HELP!
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#8 2010-06-20 06:34:55
- laurar757
- New member
- From: CARACAS
- Registered: 2010-02-01
- Posts: 3
Re: Do and don't in Venezuela
oh I am so sorry of you feeling this way....I know it should be true. I also lived in Spain and even when they didnt tell me directly nasty things their laws and attitude were enough...
let´s take care and try to be as happy as we can with what we are and have
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#9 2010-06-22 06:51:37
- yosne
- New member

- From: maracay
- Registered: 2010-02-28
- Posts: 4
Re: Do and don't in Venezuela
I also live in venezuela, but not caracas, so im relatively less paranoid, but as others said theres danger everywhere. But is a welcoming place to every nationality. And to fred, im sorry u feel like theres racism toward asian people but if i may say something, asians in venezuela are very secluded, they dont mixed with us, and not even try to be friendly, i only know a few, just something for u to notice and think.
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#10 2010-11-20 21:10:46
- lovelymerida
- New member

- From: Merida
- Registered: 2010-11-20
- Posts: 1
Re: Do and don't in Venezuela
Hello all,
Well I have lived in merida for the past 12 months and have had no problems at all. Merida is super safe and the people have been so friendly and helpful, it does help that I am married to a venezuelan so I have his family too, which helps loads. If you have any questions feel free to contact me.
From Catherine (probably the only Irish person living here hehe)
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#11 2010-11-25 23:13:59
- Carambaman
- New member
- From: Maturin
- Registered: 2010-11-25
- Posts: 2
Re: Do and don't in Venezuela
I have been here for 10 years and my first comment is that it is not a place to come too unless you are employed by a foreign multi-national and they take care of your needs such as housing and education for your children. It can be dangerous if you are in the wrong place or if you fail to be careful of your own safety. Venezuelans are lovely people but at the same time they have a high culture of expectation and will attempt to borrow money or items with no intension of paying them back because they believe so strongly in their excuses. My rule is to never loan, but give help (money)where it is needed. Regarding vacations there is little organized and perhaps Margarita is cheap enough for the elderly scandanavians to warm themselves from the cold winter months in Europe. Medical is good here and economical. My best senerio for a good vacation would be for a young man (not women unless accompanied) to come here with some spanish and catch buses and do cheap hotels roughing it around the country and telling local people that they are training to be a doctor when asked. (They will love you!)
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#12 2010-11-26 01:43:58
- yosne
- New member

- From: maracay
- Registered: 2010-02-28
- Posts: 4
Re: Do and don't in Venezuela
jajajajajajaaj we just love doctors uh?
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#13 2010-12-27 18:40:44
- Moo
- EB member +

- From: salwa
- Registered: 2010-05-24
- Posts: 632
Re: Do and don't in Venezuela
Carambaman wrote:
I have been here for 10 years and my first comment is that it is not a place to come too unless you are employed by a foreign multi-national and they take care of your needs such as housing and education for your children. It can be dangerous if you are in the wrong place or if you fail to be careful of your own safety. Venezuelans are lovely people but at the same time they have a high culture of expectation and will attempt to borrow money or items with no intension of paying them back because they believe so strongly in their excuses. My rule is to never loan, but give help (money)where it is needed. Regarding vacations there is little organized and perhaps Margarita is cheap enough for the elderly scandanavians to warm themselves from the cold winter months in Europe. Medical is good here and economical. My best senerio for a good vacation would be for a young man (not women unless accompanied) to come here with some spanish and catch buses and do cheap hotels roughing it around the country and telling local people that they are training to be a doctor when asked. (They will love you!)
Very intersting information .Thanks for your honesty.
MoOoO
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#14 2010-12-27 18:43:18
- Moo
- EB member +

- From: salwa
- Registered: 2010-05-24
- Posts: 632
Re: Do and don't in Venezuela
fredgt28 wrote:
For Asians that are going to move to this place beware of constant racism. As they refer to all Asians as "Chino" meaning Chinese or even "Cachichen" from a very racist telecom commercial. Also, beware of being constantly pulled over by "cops" (Thieves with Rights or Ladrones con derecho) for no particular reason at all other than that youre Asian. Its a factor of racism not because of hate (but most time it is) but mostly because they want to get some money from you. Basically, they come up with some lame reason to pull you over and they wont let you go until you bribe them.
Well, I still got TONS more stories to tell.
Sometimes I feel Im the only Asian American livin gin this country and I would love to share many stories of the abuse, racism and so on. US embassy, we need your HELP!
Asians are nice people specially indians 
MoOoO
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#15 2011-01-13 23:43:38
- Adrian23
- New member
- From: Valencia
- Registered: 2011-01-13
- Posts: 1
Re: Do and don't in Venezuela
Hi people, I'm not expatriate but Venezuelan. I'm kind of noisy and decided to take a look to this thread and believe me I got astonished when I read the Asian racism post 
This is a lot weird to me, as in this country racism is something so non-important. I don't know what your experiences on this area are and I'm sorry some people have made you felt unimportant; but it still does sound weird to me.
As my intuition goes, Venezuelans tend to call Chinese people "Chino" because on the western side of the country near Colombia they tend to call "Chino" all kids that have slanty eyes. I think it's originary from Colombia.
Ah, thank god this planet is just a tiny part of the universe... why bother thinking there are different countries?
Map divisions are in mind and maps... not in reality. Good luck to all of you 
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