Job Discussion Forums

[Alitas]

I am a New England gal, quite the little Puritan, so imagine my surprise when I moved to Venezuela at the age of 15 and found the culture there to have a totally different attitude about sex. I remember being kissed for the first time and practically having a heart attack because of my own cultural attitude (oh my god, is this ok? will I burn in hell? it's kind of nice. oh my god!).

I must say that for months I was heartbroken, after returning to cold, cold Maine--because I'd grown accustomed to the touchy-feely-ness of the culture...being hugged, kissed, crossed (not Catholic myself but all of my relatives blessed me), danced with, etc. And in Maine there was none of THAT.

Now many years later, and having been married and properly divorced, therefore dipping my toes back into the dating waters...I am still curious as to the cultural differences in regards to sex.

Without promoting certain stereotypes, would anyone like to offer general observations about this topic?

I'll reserve my own observations for a later post.

[JZer]

I agree. I have not lived in Latin America yet but I lived in Peru for one month and spent two weeks in Brazil. I know you are American but to be honest I find latinos more romantic than Americans. Actually I am applying to teach in Brazil. For the time being I am trying to get to know a girl from Panama.

[naturegirl321]

I certainly would agree that latinos are more romantic than americans.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[sheepgirl]

I never went on a date or kissed a guy until I started travelling (I was 23)- I think it's partly differences in culture but also partly because when you travel you're more open to new experiences and you meet more people and you're more relaxed. I want to go travelling again!

[JZer]

Ben Round de Bloc, sorry for the contradition. I meant to say that I have not lived in Latin America for a long period of time. I traveled to Peru and stayed there for one month in 2004. I was probably busy and just wanted to post something quickly.

[moonraven]

I can't believe someone never went on a date until she was 23.

I thought things were supposed to be loosening up since the "Sexual Revolution" (way back there in the Sixties).

I went on my first date at 11. And that was nothing unusual in conservative eastern Washington State 49 years ago!

[tonydicer]

11 is a bit young

[Tamara]

[Dan_R]

From my experience travelling in Latin America, it seemed like being a short man was much less of a handicap when it comes to meeting the opposite sex than it is here in the U.S. The women were very friendly to me, but maybe it had something to do with being "the guy with the foreign accent". I wanna go back again!

[JZer]

Dan_R, well i doubt that you were the short one in Latin America. I am 5'10" and when I was in Cusco, Peru, I was the taller than every Peruvian man. So no more being average and add to that the funny foreign accent.

Another interesting thing is that a Spanish friend of mine finds tall guys attractive, even ones that dress weird and have unattractive faces. Some other girls even agree with me that these guys are not attractive!!!

[JZer]

This was an interesting discussion. I hope some more people will post!!!

[moonraven]

TD: YOU have found? What expertise are you inventing for yourself now?

Tell us about your many years as a sociologist....

JZer: Personal preferences as to attractiveness are not always amenable to rational analysis. I am attracted to men with bad skin....

[Guy Courchesne]

On short/tall guys...totally agree with the above on that. If I stretch, I can reach 1.75 m...not too tall. But in DF, crammed in a metro train, I'm tall enough.

[JZer]

Guy Courchesne- are you taller than most men in Mexico City?