The Expat Files - Dating, Praying, and Partying - 08/03/12

-When dating a Latina, get ready for the serious sit-down you’ll be expected to have with her father. Just like in an old white-bread Hollywood 50’s movie, you’ll have to explain your “honorable intentions” to him (yup, that’s same guy who has likely been cheating in his own wife, your best gal’s mother, for years). So when he gives you his fatherly advice, please try not to laugh out loud, ok?

-Because its such a macho society, there are some glaringly extreme ironies and hypocrisies that us long term expats see on a daily basis; things that just would never fly in the first world. But these things are such a tradition that they don’t even register with the locals as regressive and damaging at all; and they probably never will.

-Its surprising to know that many Latin men- who are notorious for their drinking, wife beating and womanizing-  actually have prayer and bible meetings at each other’s houses every week or so. Eddie and I and most long term expats have been invited to these more than few times. And I know the experience would be wonderful grist for the Expat Files Show, I just can’t do it. I’d never be able to keep a straight face.

-Have you heard of those famous “quince anos” parties? That's the big bash every Latin family, rich and poor, throws when a daughter turns 15 years old. These are parties that all expats eventually get invited to(and are bored to death by) so here’s the low down on what to expect from that scene.

-Expat Eddie has a neat little trick that discourages Latin friends (and his girlfriend’s relatives) from hitting him up for cash loans (which BTW, is an occupational hazard for all so-called “rich” gringos).

-Now you can follow the link on the main page at www.expatwisdom.com to schedule a consultation with me. If you want to discuss the details of living, working, playing, doing business and/or retiring in Latin America, now you and I can talk about your situation one on one.