DATING MEXICO

Filed in archive Latin Culture on March 5, 2008

Dating in general is a mystery to me, but the "seeing other people, no commitment" version of dating is a mystery in Mexico in general. I mean, there's a broad spectrum ranging from girls that are chaperoned until the day they wed, to couples couples in a relationship, to couples that live together, to Swingers.

But by and large, Mexico is still on the more conservative side. Depending on where you are, many single adults still live at home. This arrangement is perfectly natural even in large cities where some of them may have chosen to strike on their own. So, living with mom and dad means having random overnight guests is usually completely out of the question. And women staying out all night is very unlikely.

As you can imagine, a society of close-knit families and intimate friendships means lightning speed gossip that rivals any major newspaper. So, even those with a wilder streak tend to opt for discreet measures.

Sadly, some foreign women are assumed to be "sexually generous" to any and all. So if you look like a gringa and you dress like Cristina Aguilera, everyone from the street sweeper to the mayor will proposition you. And if you act anything like the girls in Girl's Gone Wild, they'll offer to pay.

Romantic, sexy, and flirty as Mexico is, pace yourself. Watch and learn before trying to get frisky with the locals.