Just like in the US, when you check out in the grocery, there’s a kid there to bag your groceries. They’ll also take your groceries to the car for you (I’m always walking, so don’t need that) or walk them home for you if you live nearby.
Last year I was having a party with a friend, Barbie, who was leaving the country, and she had gone to the local Carulla to buy a load of supplies. She had the bag girl walk her home, and was planning to tip her, but on the walk they got into conversation about how much the girl earned from Carulla. The answer: ZERO!!! The baggers work strictly for tips. Barbie gave her $20,000 that day.
I was shocked to learn this, so I decided to tip, of course, from then on. But I also started taking notice of what happens in the store. I usually shop at Carulla on Quinta with Calle 73, which is in an old mansion and mostly frequented by a pretty well-off clientele. I rarely see anybody tip, so maybe these guys get some money a couple times an hour. Still, I guess, they probably do better than the folks who sell candy and trinkets in the streets.
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October 2nd, 2008 at 9:37 am
Hello my name is Zara im from Colombia but right now im living in Washington Dc about three years now, im sorry you had such a bad experienses living in Colombia but i want to ask u if u had good times as well, if you met nice and logic people as well, im sure no all is bad about Colombia and we’d like to hear about it as well.
Zara.