So, I can't make this blog without dedicating at least one post to bold, ever-daring, sometimes dashing, if-I-think-you-look-good-I-will-definitely-let-you-know men of Buenos Aires.
The men of Buenos Aires (good airs) whistle, whisper, grunt, smile, and blow kisses in approval of a woman's appearance. And stare. Oh yes, they stare. Perhaps better than anyone I've known... or worse, depending on how you look at it. They will shamelessly look you down until they pass you up. I don't turn around, so they may even turn around when they pass you and keep staring. I can't tell you how many times I've been the object of glances and stares here. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not trying brag or make any inclinations that I'm so fine every guy in BA wants to holla. In fact, it could very well be the fact that many Argentinians don't see a black person, let alone a black woman (with natural hair I might add) everyday. I figure this to be perhaps more true for the simple fact that, for the first month, I began to grow somewhat accustomed to the stares of local men (mostly), women and children.
I vividly remember one little girl walking in front of me as I was returning to my apartment from the store. She kept whispering something to another little girl (her sister, perhaps?). Eventually, she flat out turned around and pointed at me. I just kind of looked and slightly smiled. Ahh... so this must be how a giant feels. I have to shake the thoughts of people seeing me as some freak show. It's just more like an exotic person from a foreign land, I suppose. Somehow that seems better.
Anyway, back to the men. So, I've noticed that I get more attention from older gentlemen here than the one's near my age. Wait, that's actually kind of true in the States, too... Ok, so maybe that part's more me than the country. But the older they are, I find the more gentlemen-like they are. The middle-aged ones who hang out on stoops in front of smoothly-paved sidewalks, or stick their heads out of cab windows, or breathe "hermosa" (beautiful) or some other Spanish word I may or may not catch as they walk past, are obviously more blunt. Several times I would walk past some gentlemen and would hear them say "Adios" to me.
Um... what? I was so confused. Why are they saying goodbye? Shouldn't they be saying hello? Then one day (like 2 weeks later), it hit me. "Adios" doesn't just mean "goodbye." It literally means "A Dios" or "go with God." So, essentially, my thought is that they were giving and exclaim of ... amazement perhaps? If not, then leave me in my ignorance. haha Yes, that's right. I'll take this one, made up thought of flattery-- if that's what it is... don't judge me.
But I've been cooed at, had kisses blown at me, STARED at (of course), and had random men come up to me on the street or park and talk to me. I don't mind the latter. It's great Spanish practice. Most of the men are older. One guy stopped me on the street when I got lost trying to find my way to China Town for the Chinese New Year.
"Do you have time to talk," he asked me in Spanish.
"Sure... about what?" I replied.
"Oh, anything."
Um... ok. haha So I stood there on an intersection talking to this nice random guy in Spanish for about 15 minutes. As the conversation went on, though, he started getting closer and closer to me.
Well, I think that's enough convo. I should be going now.
I politely said goodbye and went on my way.
Another time there was an older man who sat next to me in the mall and another, Cercilo, who sat next to me on a park bench. On ALL three occasions, each man asked me if I had a boyfriend and/or recommended I get one... to practice my Spanish of course.
Yeah... ok, kind sir. If it happens, fine. If not, I'll manage.
Oh those Good Ol' Air men.
