If you refuse to consider a clothes upgrade

[teoblas]

...at least stick a toothpick in your mouth and change your name from Wilbur Smith to "Pimp Daddy Wilbur".  It wont cost you a penny and at least you will get some points for originality.

However, if you are willing to meet these ladies half-way, then meet them half-way....

If you are a cowboy at heart you don't have to dress like John Travolta in from Saturday Night Fever, but consider borrowing a few tips from how John Travolta dressed in Urban Cowboy...  My drift is be yourself, but better.  (And if your priority during your trip is to meet latin ladies then...) ...be yourself on a date in Latin America, not yourself at the beach in Hawaii or yourself at rugby practice.  Even if you have never been to Latin America it isnt that hard to figure out how the desirable latino males in your target country dress from movies, TV and magazines.....

(If your priority during your trip is to get tan, wear a speedo and screw what everybody else says....)

Want to know why "dress" is the number one gripe of most of the latin ladies?  Because all your other flaws they can suffer privately, but your lack of appreciation of good style sense is out there for everybody to see.  When a latina is walking around a nice mall or in a nice restaurant with some guy that looks like Archie Bunker on vacation at Disneyland that is a humiliation the ladies have suffer publicly.

Teo Blas

[stefang]

... in response to If you refuse to consider a clothes upgr..., posted by teoblas on Sep 28, 2005

That's why a Latina would rather have a cocaine boyfriend who dresses in Georgio Armani that beats her, than Joe God fearing blue jean farmer.

[JimmySTLOUIS]

... in response to If you refuse to consider a clothes upgr..., posted by teoblas on Sep 28, 2005

WOW

you are right on the money!!

I really dreesed nice for the first trip but let it go after that. Since we have been married (and went back)people in Peru have told my wife that I look so much better now that she is my wife. Now my clothes are ironed, better style, better brands etc.

I didnt really get the importance of brand names until I went to Jockey Plaza and saw how expensive Tommy Hilfiger clothes are in Peru. Here its no big deal $12 for a Tommy T shirt at Marshalls all day long. But in Peru even if dont have money its important to look nice and look like you have money. So even if you want to wear a t-shirts just get some brand name ones and leave the #3 wear at home.

Oh yes and I think we are having "po yata" tonight. I am sure its spelled something like Pojata but its good and I am a hill billy so I will call it PO YATA! Whew doggy!!!

TE AMO PERU!!!!

jim

[OkieMan]

... in response to You Nailed It!, posted by JimmySTLOUIS on Sep 28, 2005

Hi Jimmy,

Nice post.  Excuse me for asking, but what's Po Yata, or whatever? I am sure it is some Peruvian dish, but I have not been to Peru yet.  Do you like it?  How does your wife handle cooking american dishes; or do you lend a hand in the kitchen?  If so, how does she feel about that?  I have heard that some latinas are very territorial about the kitchen, and they don't want their husbands to do anything in the kitchen.  I am sure each couple has to work that out, just as I did when I used to be married to an american woman. Take care.

                                     OkieMan

[Frank O]

... in response to You Nailed It!, posted by JimmySTLOUIS on Sep 28, 2005

Same crap in Ukraine I don't understand it. Poor people wanting to PROJECT they have $$?! They can't afford to buy a beer or have a car or indoor plumbing at home but they want to wear Versace or Tommy or Lacoste. Go figure man. Maybe being a Texan & not really caring what people think made me ignorant to the fact that it DID matter.
HUGE mistake on my part. Hope guys here realize it. As much I MYSELF don't care THE GIRLS DO!!! I snapped very QUICKLY after I finally REALIZED that.

[thundernco]

... in response to Re: You Nailed It!, posted by Frank O on Sep 28, 2005

There it's clothes, here it's the same thing but with cars.  I can't tell you how many dirt porr people I've seen living in god knows what conditions but sproting a newer automobile or truck instead of being smart with their money. -TNC

[FanMan]

... in response to Just like the poor or working poor here., posted by thundernco on Sep 28, 2005

Well even though I live in "overpriced" California, I don't consider myself to be the working poor, because I save money, which is something that seems foreign to most of my friends. And I am not a believer in debt unless necessary, mortage,food,or "mandatory" bills. I think that here in America, as in Europe, it is and always  will be about the "status symbol". We must have the latest "this", the best "that". I too about 9 years ago was a "victim", bought a very nice (and new)Trans Am, fixed it up with some super fast goodies and  a lot of money, and promptly had it stolen, in less than a 15 months time. Lesson learned, I own two cars now, both 1996's Ford Taurus,and Mercury Sable, I can use one or the other for parts if need be, but they both run perfectly. And best of all, they are paid for. Clothig wise, I like nice name brand stuff, just like the next person, but I will WAIT, and get mine out the local clothing outlet, such as the one in Gilroy, which I am quite sure Pete would know about. Very realistic prices. Case in point, Tommy Hilfiger's stuff, used to cost about $75+ for a long sleeve shirt with a collar, that same shirt can be purchased elsewhere for 1/5 the cost if a person takes time to look. But NOOOOO we as Americans take pride in saying how much we spent for "this" and "that". I would rather just keep my mouth shut,and relish in the fact that my bank account and I are the only ones who know how much I saved, by purchasing "this" or "that". Just "mi dos centavos" literally ;-)

[Brazilophile]

... in response to Just like the poor or working poor here., posted by thundernco on Sep 28, 2005

And is the thrust of those advising that we dress to the nines, so as to not offend the Latinas, and catch ourselves  and marry a gorgeous Latina, who lives for today and doesn't worry about tomorrow and is not smart with HER money, and then entrust her with OUR HARD EARNED MONEY ?!?!?!?

[thundernco]

... in response to Re: Just like the poor or working poor h..., posted by Brazilophile on Sep 29, 2005

It's taken quite a bit of effort to get my wife thinking in the same fashion as I do.  It's not anywhere near what I would like, but it's much better than it used to be.  -TNC

[Frank O]

... in response to Re: Just like the poor or working poor h..., posted by Brazilophile on Sep 29, 2005

Sometimes I wonder about me.

[Frank O]

... in response to Just like the poor or working poor here., posted by thundernco on Sep 28, 2005

People on food stamps who can't afford to feed their kids but they drive around in $30K pickups so they look good. To make matters worse they pickups are exempt because it's a "Migratory" vehicle in other words used when they migrate up north. No to mention not all the family FITS in the pickup so they have to travel in the back!!! What a backwards way of thinking. Shows you where THEIR priorities are.

[stefang]

... in response to Just like the poor or working poor here., posted by thundernco on Sep 28, 2005

Same with Latinas they spend all their money on clothes and cosmetics. I don't think you should complain you have no money for education or English classes.
Take the opposite, boat people from Vietnam worked long hours and combined their salaries to send their children into universites. A generation later many are doctors, lawyers, engineers. What is more valuable clothes or seeing your legacy how much better your childrens life could be then yours.

This is one of the cultural things that bothers me when I think of family. Do I want a wife who lives today or wants to sacrifice for a better life tomorrow. Not that all Hispanics fall in this group just make sure your ideas and hers match think less about the material things.

[Frank O]

... in response to Re: Just like the poor or working poor h..., posted by stefang on Sep 28, 2005

I have a friend who is Nicaraguan who thinks the same & he kept mentioning that to my wife "You live for today because tommorow you might not be here". My wife agreed. Stupid wench. Now she's got nothing & is back to living with an out house for a toilet. Oh well. Her choice. I just have a hard time comprehending that sort of thinking. Perhaps after several years they realize it but by then it might be too late. I guess it depends how you are raised & what IS valued in your culture. Very sad though.

[CelticUrge]

... in response to Re: You Nailed It!, posted by Frank O on Sep 28, 2005

Absolutely, they do care! Several people pointed out that it is a public and outward sign.

[Red Clay]

... in response to You Nailed It!, posted by JimmySTLOUIS on Sep 28, 2005

[This message has been edited by Red Clay]

Shoot, you ain't no hillbilly.....

That'd be "pollada".

Signed,

The Andean Hillbilly Family of TN.

Have fun!