The Answer!!

It was rare that a day would pass in Bogotá when I wouldn't take a bus or the transmilenio. This means that I would daily see a ritual that I never understood, but eventually grew accustomed to. As a seat on a bus opens up, Rolos (Bogotanos) will move to take the seat, but do not sit down right away. Some times they will support themselves on the back of the seat, but won't sit. I was very bewildered by this practice for my entire stay in Colombia. Finally we have the answer in Semana, a weekly news magazine!!!


There is a myth that hot seats transmit hemorrhoids and bacteria, especially plastic ones. Therefore, waiting for the seat to cool off rids the seat of bacteria. Others do it out of comfort, they don't like a hot seat. And others maintain the practice out of tradition.

Another urban myth uncovered. I especially like the commentary in the article.