Intercultural relationships in Mexico

This OP should have a hundred posts by now!  Ain't any of y'all romantic?  There must be some single men and women here.

Mexican men, although often flawed in their treatment of women a good part of the time, have velvet tongues indeed.  Isn't that the classic Latin blood bleeding through?

Any obstacles I've had with Mexicanitas is probably due to their education.  I'm not Catholic.  Nor would I convert.  My dear mother, RIP, couldn't RIP if I did that.

I figure any girl here over 13 has heard a whole lot of sugar from the boyz.  Logically a foreign bachelor is up against a whole lot of competition .  So I've done my best to keep sharp.

There's an old adage that says, if you want to talk to a machine learn German.  If you want to talk to God learn Spanish.  And since somehow Spanish falls in the category of Romance languages, I say, if you want to talk to women, learn Spanish.

To augment your romance language tools forget thinking in English while speaking in Spanish.  Spanish crushes English in romantic matters. 

Think of all the ways you can say, I love you in English.  After tallying up two or three you find yourself with terms that are just too corny to be of value.  But those are the ones that work in Spanish .. I adore you, I desire you, I want to devour you, I want to see your face on our children (that's my fav).

It all reminds me of an Animal Plant episode on mating rituals.  The peacock who struts the best gets the girl.

Mexican girls are IMO much less materialistic than those NoB.  Not to say they don't desire a *rich handsome man as a mate, but they are better prepared to see qualities within a person.   And having a large age gap between you is a factor but not the rule.  Most I figure aren't the type who'd think to themselves .. Sure, he's cute, yes he'd make a great father, and he's good about going to work, but will he be able to bang me good when I'm 50?

Just about all the close contact I've had has been with groupie types.  That includes my two ex wives.  So my observations are limited to Rock n Roll rebels, not Maria Sanchez who teaches propaganda on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Since I've been with Latin American girls and women since junior high school I just might have an edge, or, I think I have an edge.

There is a social theory called, El Complejo Marimisma  .. The Same As Maria Complex.  Maria being JC's virgin mother .. of course.   In English it's probably known as, The suffering mother of Christ syndrome/complex.  Not to generalise but many are not happy without at least some suffrage.  It's maybe a Catholic thing.  Problem is the urges are tattooed in some dark area of the brain and must be released at certain moments.   

My theory is women who have it bad are somewhat twisted.  Because women bond with other women with ease, and since many Mexican women have plenty to complain about, the women without complaints are sidelined and may dig up their marital suffrage, real or not, just to keep up with their soulmates.  Oh my life, such a tragedy!!!  (back of hand pressed against the forehead)

* Mother to daughter:  You can fall in love with a rich man just as easily as a poor man.

Johnny you are a pill.  If we are going to stereotype, here goes:  Hold on, this may apply to you.  Men seem to think woman are twisted because they no longer wish to be ruled, owned, and controlled by men.  I know it's twisted, why would anyone hate living a life like that?  Too funny. It may be assuming that all German's are machines, all Mexican's are religious, etc. that is causing some interpersonal struggles???  Just a WAG.  Last time I researched this subject my conclusions was: we are all human and other's do NOT define who we are and what we become in life.  I think it's called an "open mind" 

I am an older Anglo man and have been married to a Mexican woman for 23 years now and we have a bilingual/ binational daughter together .    Though we have lived in the US we frequently visit family (at least twice a year) and have traveled to other Latin American countries as well.    I also now have a Ukrainian son in law so our family has gotten really interesting.

'Are intercultural relationships/marriages common and accepted in Mexico?'

They are not common in either the US or Mexico.   I personally have not met one other couple who is binational US? Mexican.   We were briefly friends with a US-Salvadoran couple once though.

'What are the benefits to being in an intercultural relationship/marriage? '

All in the marriage will become more bilingual if one speaks Spanish and the other speaks English.    When my wife had our daughter, we spoke Spanish at home to make her bilingual, too, so that she could communicate with my wife's family well.

'What are some challenges that you have faced or are currently facing? How do you address them? '

Family on both sides was distrustful about our marriage at first.    That changed the older our daughter got.     It's not a problem at all now.

WOW, this topic jumped the shark!!

Oh God!  Yet another who loves the term, you generalize.  Yes I generalise.  Everyone does.  It would be impossible to understand our world if we didn't.

Consider this:  You've heard of Pervert Park, right?  It used to be called Golden Gate Park.  It's in San Francisco. 

So you're sitting on a park bench with your main squeeze at dawn and some guy comes walking towards you wearing a trench coat and a half pair of trousers.  So do you avoid being one of those awful people who's generalize and assume the dude is a flasher and just sit there watching the show?   Who'd want to be tagged as a generizer?   Horrible people!   And please realize, 51% is a majority.   Have a nice day.

It seems Johnny that you are a little rusty, get out to the mall where you will see the non materialistic women in the platform shoes trying on clothes.
As for the bonding with other women part, the lady across the street is so worried about her husband speaking to me that she quickly shows up with the shortest pair of shorts she can get on, and grabs her husband. She is wife number two , and I figure she is worried that I might use her system. Her husband crafts doors and has done some work for me, but she still clearly sees me as a threat.
It's flattering in a way, but she has less than nothing to worry about.

Anthony Held wrote:

I am an older Anglo man and have been married to a Mexican woman for 23 years now and we have a bilingual/ binational daughter together .    Though we have lived in the US we frequently visit family (at least twice a year) and have traveled to other Latin American countries as well.    I also now have a Ukrainian son in law so our family has gotten really interesting.

'Are intercultural relationships/marriages common and accepted in Mexico?'

They are not common in either the US or Mexico.   I personally have not met one other couple who is binational US? Mexican.   We were briefly friends with a US-Salvadoran couple once though.

'What are the benefits to being in an intercultural relationship/marriage? '

All in the marriage will become more bilingual if one speaks Spanish and the other speaks English.    When my wife had our daughter, we spoke Spanish at home to make her bilingual, too, so that she could communicate with my wife's family well.

'What are some challenges that you have faced or are currently facing? How do you address them? '

Family on both sides was distrustful about our marriage at first.    That changed the older our daughter got.     It's not a problem at all now.

Good one!  And kids have no problem with it, dad calls it zapato and mom calls it shoe.
I personally wouldn't marry a white bread American woman if her family had a gun at my head.  I've been attracted to Brown girls since my first erection. 

My first wife is a Black Brazilian.  Damn was that relation a bear.  Not her color, her ThirdWorld mentality.  Now I have a quadroon grandson.  Classically these folks ID with Afros, mine IDs with Whites.  Problematic at best.  He just changed high schools and is catching a lot of sh*t from the kids.  He's about the color of Steph Curry.   Good lookin lil dude.

travellight wrote:

It seems Johnny that you are a little rusty, get out to the mall where you will see the non materialistic women in the platform shoes trying on clothes.
As for the bonding with other women part, the lady across the street is so worried about her husband speaking to me that she quickly shows up with the shortest pair of shorts she can get on, and grabs her husband. She is wife number two , and I figure she is worried that I might use her system. Her husband crafts doors and has done some work for me, but she still clearly sees me as a threat.
It's flattering in a way, but she has less than nothing to worry about.

Jealous women, Tasmanian Devils from Hell. 
I like and respect well-bonded women tho.  Amazing to me how they can come to menstruate on the same day.  They put men to shame in other matters as well.  I've been outside the marriage market for quite awhile, I always had a hard time with fidelity so I talked to myself and decided to pull out (no pun intended).  Best of wishes with you and yours.

Anthony Held wrote:

I am an older Anglo man and have been married to a Mexican woman for 23 years now and we have a bilingual/ binational daughter together .    Though we have lived in the US we frequently visit family (at least twice a year) and have traveled to other Latin American countries as well.    I also now have a Ukrainian son in law so our family has gotten really interesting.

'Are intercultural relationships/marriages common and accepted in Mexico?'

They are not common in either the US or Mexico.   I personally have not met one other couple who is binational US? Mexican.   We were briefly friends with a US-Salvadoran couple once though.

'What are the benefits to being in an intercultural relationship/marriage? '

All in the marriage will become more bilingual if one speaks Spanish and the other speaks English.    When my wife had our daughter, we spoke Spanish at home to make her bilingual, too, so that she could communicate with my wife's family well.

'What are some challenges that you have faced or are currently facing? How do you address them? '

Family on both sides was distrustful about our marriage at first.    That changed the older our daughter got.     It's not a problem at all now.

I was raised in CA where intercultural relationships are relatively common.  My parents generation is quite different from my generation so I can see why your in-laws struggled a bit.  People are people, and interacting with many different races and religions from an early age increases our acceptance of each other. I don't see anything "unusual"; that is, there are differences from one person to another because no 2 people are alike regardless of culture.  Everyone has a different idiosyncrasy or two, race or religion doesn't change our uniqueness, and cultural experiences can be different from one neighbor to the next; we don't need to be from different countries to experience culture.

travellight wrote:

It seems Johnny that you are a little rusty, get out to the mall where you will see the non materialistic women in the platform shoes trying on clothes.
As for the bonding with other women part, the lady across the street is so worried about her husband speaking to me that she quickly shows up with the shortest pair of shorts she can get on, and grabs her husband. She is wife number two , and I figure she is worried that I might use her system. Her husband crafts doors and has done some work for me, but she still clearly sees me as a threat.
It's flattering in a way, but she has less than nothing to worry about.

I'm not sure where the red light district or free clinic is around here, but I'm fairly certain he would get the attention he craves.  I don't think the girls wear platform shoes anymore, do they?  Heck, I need to get out more and see what's going on in the world.

I was writing not about just intercultural relationships'  but about binational ones as well.   In Texas, just like in California, there are many relationships between American born Latinos and Anglos but much much less are there  between US Anglo or Black citizens and Mexican born ones.    Even US born Hispanic citizens in relationships together with Mexican born citizens are extremely rare.

When a relationship develops between citizens of two different countries, it involves a huge different set of dynamics than a relationship between the citizens of just one country or the other, no matter what other cultural differences there might be.    And US/ TEX-Mex or Cal Mex citizens are not Mexicans, even when the families straddle borders, as they sometimes do.

A huge issue for my wife in the beginning was simply on how for both of us to even be able to move about and both of us make a living ?    Papers and visas become a major part of the relationship that complicates how the relationship develops or not.     The governments of both countries can destroy the glue that holds people together in a relationship that is binational.    AND they do try to do just that, I might add.     More so when the relationship has no children making up a larger family unit, but simply a pair of people wanting to stay together and involved.    The governments can become a giant thousand ton gorilla that can divide you and your SO away from each other.

Anthony Held wrote:

I was writing not about just intercultural relationships'  but about binational ones as well.   In Texas, just like in California, there are many relationships between American born Latinos and Anglos but much much less are there  between US Anglo or Black citizens and Mexican born ones.    Even US born Hispanic citizens in relationships together with Mexican born citizens are extremely rare.

When a relationship develops between citizens of two different countries, it involves a huge different set of dynamic than a relationship between the citizens of just one country or the other, no matter what other cultural differences there might be.    And US/ Mex citizens are not Mexicans, even when the families straddle borders, as they sometimes do.

True, everyone brings baggage with them; preconceived ideas about a person without ever truly knowing.  Some are aware of their biases, some aren't.  I can't change how a person thinks, I can only control how I react.

I'm not sure where the red light district or free clinic is around here, but I'm fairly certain he would get the attention he craves.  I don't think the girls wear platform shoes anymore, do they?  Heck, I need to get out more and see what's going on in the world.

To assume all professionals or their johns need a free nearby clinic is a generalization.  Shameful hypocrisy. 

As a teen living in LA we highschool boyz used to drive to TJ every-other weekend for fun and pleasure.   Since then, nothing.  Now eight years in Thailand was another matter.  So yeah, I've sinned.  But never infected.

It's an awful generalization to assume all/most prozies are tainted.   Any adult should know a condom isn't your only option to safe sex. 

I read once some diseased folks go through what's known as a vampire stage.  What could be more dangerous than the person who wants to infect you.  How do you know who they might be?  I doubt they make themselves up to appear as some girl outa The Walking Dead.

How many women have been infected by their husbands?   Jeez, danger is everywhere.  I doubt the church lady driving to her faith healing gathering has a lower probably of dying behind the wheel compared to the sluttiest street corner creature in a mini.

The problem is that puta mongers do not really search for relationships other than a trade of merchandise for cash one.    Still, puta mongers most often believe themselves to be the greatest relationship specialists and greatest intercultural ones as well.    They are not though.

Oh yes 4 tlos,

They wear the highest stacked shoes they can get. It's scary watching them get on the escalator, but they walk in them fairly well. Given that their achilles tendons have shortened, they probably can't walk without them. It's a challenge getting a normal height normal looking shoe or sandal. The flats are beyond flat . I have one or two stores I can rely on.

One deeply ingrained cultural difference is the majority MX do not reciprocate in kind when invited out. The men do not buy alternating rounds in a bar as in the US. If it is perceived I initially have money and order the first round, they expect me to order all subsequent rounds. If I say I have no more funds maybe someone will offer to buy. But, by then, they are fulfilled and see no need to buy a round of beers. I have had some invite a barista to the table and expect me to pay for their drinks.

Beware inviting females for lunch or dinner. They will bring extraneous friends/family without asking if it is okay. And NO ONE will offer to help with the bill. I have gotten into the habit, if  extemporaneous people appear I tell them to take care of the tip. They look at me as if I am crazy. But, they comply.

A friend of mine (Gringo) and I were sitting in a restaurant bar. His girlfriend drove by, saw us and drove off without stopping or a phone call. After an half hour she reappeared with daughters and grandbabies. Of course he bought almuerzo for all. Since he paid my tab I volunteered the tip. My way of saying thank you.

Interesting, I don't have that happen. No one I have gone to lunch with has invited their whole family. Maybe it's the bar thing. I don't go to bars just resturants that may also have a bar. Has anyone else had this experience ?
Is it an acception or a rule do you think ?

For 25 years in Quintana Roo and in Veracruz I have never had a Mexican family abuse my hospitality! I've never heard of anything like that either, and I frequently eat out with Mexican friends. No one joins us unless specifically invited.

First Last wrote:

One deeply ingrained cultural difference is the majority MX do not reciprocate in kind when invited out. The men do not buy alternating rounds in a bar as in the US. If it is perceived I initially have money and order the first round, they expect me to order all subsequent rounds. If I say I have no more funds maybe someone will offer to buy. But, by then, they are fulfilled and see no need to buy a round of beers. I have had some invite a barista to the table and expect me to pay for their drinks.

Beware inviting females for lunch or dinner. They will bring extraneous friends/family without asking if it is okay. And NO ONE will offer to help with the bill. I have gotten into the habit, if  extemporaneous people appear I tell them to take care of the tip. They look at me as if I am crazy. But, they comply.

A friend of mine (Gringo) and I were sitting in a restaurant bar. His girlfriend drove by, saw us and drove off without stopping or a phone call. After an half hour she reappeared with daughters and grandbabies. Of course he bought almuerzo for all. Since he paid my tab I volunteered the tip. My way of saying thank you.

I like you.  I have had all those observations and more.
IMO there is a little socialist inhabiting a MX's body.  And also a cheap Chinaman guarding his billfold.

My landlady and I seem to enjoy fighting.  She'll end every sentence with, but you're my elder so I respect you.  Hell, I don't want to be respected because I'm older.  Getting old isn't an achievement.   But obtaining a MA and having a hand in educating thousands of Mexican children might be reason for respect.  Her husband's folks also live on the (huge) property.  They are about 2-3 years my junior.  Does she respect me more than them because I am two years older? 

My experience teaches me there are some generios Mexicans.  But they're not generous with money.  They keep score as well.  They will often never forget what they have done for you but have amnesia over what you have done for them.

Here's a way to prove just how cheap they are.  There is a website called, segundamano where new and used items of all types are listed to be sold.  I've done a lot of that stuff in my years here.  Post an add.  If it's selling for more than 20% of it's value forget it.

Here is my experience in typical replies:
#1, Cual es lo menos?  (90%)
#2, Will you take XXX$ for it?  Me: I guess, when are you coming to get it?  Them: in an hour.  Maybe 10% will show up.  75% of those who do show won't have all the cash with them.  So the deal is contingent on if his cousin pays him next week.  And you should already know he won't.

Tuff crowd round here!

Babs G. wrote:

For 25 years in Quintana Roo and in Veracruz I have never had a Mexican family abuse my hospitality! I've never heard of anything like that either, and I frequently eat out with Mexican friends. No one joins us unless specifically invited.

That's good.  Social class might be a factor.  There are lots of phenomena that might be a factor.  Thing is you have a handle on it.  Hats off!

These are more subjective and prejudicial against Mexicans remarks.   I have had the exact opposite experiences where Mexicans treated me to all sorts of freebies while I sat back and gave little in return.     At times it has gone the exact opposite  though  I admit.     However, it's really no different than it is with Anglos, First Last.

'One deeply ingrained cultural difference is the majority MX do not reciprocate in kind when invited out.'

Just the name you use online suggests to me that you might have a big problem with this issue in your own mind.      And Jonny Danger seems to have the exact same problem....

'Here's a way to prove just how cheap they (Mexicans) are.'

I've had Mexicans give me all sorts of generous freebie help though.     I find your comments verging on being very racist.

I've had Mexicans give me all sorts of generous freebie help though.     I find your comments verging on being very racist.

Mexicans aren't a race. 

Maybe all those generous folks are setting you up for the big one.

It seems we are confusing cheap with poor. Yes there are always people everywhere who will take advantage.  I am kind and respectful, and that is what I get in return. People give me help, but they also may give me things. Those looking for an easy to manipulate wealthy person don't know me very long.  Because I am neither.

You put out suspicion and negativity, you will get it back.  Too much anger tied up in negative attitudes. Remember there are a lot of gringos looking for the cheap deal and Mexicans know that.

Mexicans happen to be a nationality whose dominant race is considerably different than the dominant race in the US,  Jonny.    For example, we do not talk of US Anglos of being of a mestizo nation or of being 'La Raza'.

You know this already though, don't you?

To me it's likely to be the poor who are the more generous.  They will give you their last tortilla.  That's my main attraction with Mexico, the kids and the poor (but In small doses).

If someone has a motive for being kind he is not kind.  And you may never know the motive until waaaay in the future when you're nice and phat and greased up.

There is this "adage"  of which I don't know the source;  Two men are sitting in a diner, one rich, the other poor.  They get to talking about life in general, the rights and wrongs of living, mistakes they've made and such.   The bill comes.  Who pays?  It doesn't take much thinking for a local.  There is only one choice.  When if fact there are 3 or 4 or 5. 

Not having any prejudices or to not be a fan of generalization can make you an easy target.  Honesty is a weakness here.   Any ground-zero folk will tell you that.

Another way I can inrage to sewing circle here is to remind them how  the governing mind set is, como evitar la carga de la responsabilidad.   I've never seen a study or collection of data pertaining to the act of hit and run per capita.  Not that finding those stats would be reliable..  It'd be more like doing the census in DF to a tee.   But I know it's high, very high. 

Who wins in a macho society?  The macho.  Isn't that logical?  Who loses?  The female .. who is actually the backbone of the nation .. not just this one.   Why do the large majority of the world's male population think they're superior when in fact they are inferior.    They do it for the same reason a dog licks his Bal*s, because he can.
It's much worse in Asia.

Anthony Held wrote:

Mexicans happen to be a nationality whose dominant race is considerably different than the dominant race in the US,  Jonny.    For example, we do not talk of US Anglos of being of a mestizo nation or of being 'La Raza'.

You know this already though, don't you?

Yes, of course, Tony.  In racial matters I concur a person has the right to ID with any race he wishes.  And we have to respect that.  When they shout Viva La Raza!! They aren't excluding communities like Los Altos de Jalisco where most of the folks are blonder than me.  So it isn't really a racial cry, it's a national cry.  And since 80% are Mestizo, which drops of their blood are they celebrating?   Or is that that it's the mixing of blood that has become the "race."  So then that doesn't include the indigenous.   They and the Anglos have something in common, neither are a pure enough conglomerate of races to be consider La Raza, Pure is in fact impure.  It's stupid.  And people who take that sh*t to the grave are stupid.  A common conversation on the street .. Hey Gringo!  You don't mind if I call you Gringo do you?  No way bro, would it bother you if I call you, Indio?  Quick, duck!  Run, he has a knife.  Knife?  His mate just pulled a gun!  Run!!!!!

As for the USA Anglo comment, it'd be Hitleresque to go into that and definitely not PC.  But who here is PC to the USA's extreme?   

IMO if race is one of your daily preoccupations then you're troubled and confused by it, or obsessed.   But the first feature a Mexican sees in you, right down to a four-year-old, is that we look different (not so true in the city or at the beach tho), hence we are different.  And if you make it public .. who cares?  The Gringo may have more dosh but he's not the better man, no way Jose.

I certainly agree with you that the kids and The Poor make up by far the more generous and genuine portion of Mexico, Jonny.

jonny danger wrote:

Yes, of course, Tony.  In racial matters I concur a person has the right to ID with any race he wishes.  And we have to respect that.  When they shout Viva La Raza!! They aren't excluding communities like Los Altos de Jalisco where most of the folks are blonder than me.  So it isn't really a racial cry, it's a national cry.  And since 80% are Mestizo, which drops of their blood are they celebrating?   Or is that that it's the mixing of blood that has become the "race."  So then that doesn't include the indigenous.   They and the Anglos have something in common, neither are a pure enough conglomerate of races to be consider La Raza, Pure is in fact impure.  It's stupid.  And people who take that sh*t to the grave are stupid.  A common conversation on the street .. Hey Gringo!  You don't mind if I call you Gringo do you?  No way bro, would it bother you if I call you, Indio?  Quick, duck!  Run, he has a knife.  Knife?  His mate just pulled a gun!  Run!!!!!

As for the USA Anglo comment, it'd be Hitleresque to go into that and definitely not PC.  But who here is PC to the USA's extreme?   

IMO if race is one of your daily preoccupations then you're troubled and confused by it, or obsessed.   But the first feature a Mexican sees in you, right down to a four-year-old, is that we look different (not so true in the city or at the beach tho), hence we are different.  And if you make it public .. who cares?  The Gringo may have more dosh but he's not the better man, no way Jose.

I find your posting to be interesting, if not just for the entertainment value.

That's the spirit.  I mean who here is looking for disciples?

I'm moving to Mexico because I
Love the Mexican people (the poor ones)
and to have a good time.
I'm looking  Johnny danger up when I get there!  Johnny your buying the first round, but I “will” reciprocate.

Will you arrive in tow?  If not let's hit the ghetto.  That's where the action is.  You'll love it!  I have a friend there who can teach you how to rob a pair of socks without removing the shoes.

Eso Si Que Es? (SOCKS)? poor joke sorry (my Spanish is not too good:)

I don't have a definite ETA right now BUT, I'll never forget that name! Lol.
Where do you live Johnny?

In the trenches. 

Here's an intercultural relationship tale about two people who couldn't be more different .. my landlady and I.

The property is huge, three families live here.  Her family in the front (four lovely daughters all school-age of whom I adore), me and her inlaws in the back.  The family runs an abarrotes at the very front.

In the months I have lived here she never told me her washer and drier set up in the patio connected to my diggs was wired into to my CFE cuenta.  So when the bill arrived she lectured me on my wastefulness as the bill was a big one.  I asked her if she wanted to contribute (20-30 pesos would have been fine with me).  She looked at me as if I were crazy.   She didn't know that I knew her little secret. 

So I'm pissed and want to move out, principles you know.  The place is overvalued and now that we're at odds I really don't want to contribute to her wellbeing.

And this is so typical round here .. in order to save 20 pesos she'll lose my 3500 per month in rent and the 1000 I spend in her store per month.  This is about the same scene at my last rental, she upped the rent 200 P and I moved out.  There has been a for rent sign on the door for three months now.  Trying to make an extra 200 on a place that was already outrageous has already cost her 6000 in lost rental payments. 

So stupid me always looking for some sort of psychological reason for people's failures find myself lost for an explanation other than their stupidity.  In many/most cases their mentality is akin to a diet of tortillas with beans and a glass of water for every meal; it's simple, short sighted, lacks nutrition and cheap.   Stop this world, I want to get off.

Jonny,
Maybe all your landlords are very happy they got you to move out and now they and their family and friends can enjoy their tranquillity once again that you were interupting by your behaviour and presence there? It probably was worth the lose of money to get back their property and find someone better suited to be there instead of an old busybody.  .

Boy, you assume a lot.  Why is that?  Do you have superhuman powers?   I am the ideal tenant, have a pension, pay off like a slot machine, do my own repairs, don't drink, don't make noise.   Which brings us to the next intercultural landlord tale..

Inbetween rentals I was waiting for the last family to move out.  That was to be a month.  There is a pozo up the street.  They sell water to tanker trucks.  There are two bodegas in the back.  I made a deal to rent one of them for a that month.  He said it'd be 300P.   As soon as I'd moved my stuff in he told me he had to raise the rent to 500 a month.  Not a lot of money but smells of a ripe beached whale.

Next, a nice little house was my first choice the day I arrived in this ville three years ago.  Gave her first and last month's rent.  She said if I wanted hot water (and I did) i'd have to fill the gas tank on the roof.  I did that @ 500P, the minimum.  It emptied in three weeks.  All that gas, gone.  So I get up on the roof and see there is an extra pipe coming off the tank that didn't go to my house, it went to her daughter's house which was located behind mine. 

Next.  An attractive house near the local river, big yard, good for my dog.  Then one night it rained.  I woke up to a wet mattress and a half foot on water on the floor.  I went to the landlord's house to notify him.  Talked with his children.  They said they'd be sure to tell him.  He never came to do a roof repair.  I went back and left a note on his door.  Ne never came.  I wrote another note and inclosed it in one of those plastic folders with a zipper, tapped it to the door.  He never came.  I gave up.  A week later his wife comes to the house to collect the rent.  I asked her, what rent?  I gave notice weeks ago.  She never saw any notes on her door nor had her children mentioned anything.  Right.

Next: In the next town up the highway 3K I rented an apartment in a 10-unit newly constructed bld.  One night the bedroom wall cracked.  The next day I noticed the floor cracked.  The next day I noticed I was walking a bit sideways in the apartment.   The building was falling.  There was a huge crack on the outside wall that spanned all 10 units.  But the landlord fixed it .. he filled the crack with cement.  That'll do it!

The OP asks for intercultural romantic tales.  I got a couple of those to offer, juicy ones.

La India Maria: Old comic Mexican movie series.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsdanmF … el=Larofab

Her name was Brigida.  As I have mentioned I came here as a grad student.  I was working with and testing children who had left school earlier than the national age limit which at the time was 15 (16 now).  Her brother was one of my subjects.

This was in Teotitlan Del Valle in Oaxaca, 1981, a Zapotec community of weavers, mostly.  Her entire family wove. 

Beautiful Indian girl.  Of course I fell for her.  Her Spanish was about as good as mine.  They have their own language.  How she talked about colors and tints and tones (they wove rugs, expensive ones) and sheen.  Impressive .. a true artist.

So after six months I asked her father if I could take her home with me.  I got his blessings.  THE biggest mistake of my lifetime.

jonny danger wrote:

Boy, you assume a lot.  Why is that?  Do you have superhuman powers?   I am the ideal tenant, have a pension, pay off like a slot machine, do my own repairs, don't drink, don't make noise.

I bet 95% or more of tenants meet those simple requirements - no big deal to any landlords I assume.

I don´t need superhuman powers just the ability to sort through your abundant posts to understand what you do. The assumption is not an assumption but a comment on your behavior that you proudly have  told myself and the others in detail who have the patiences to read the thousands of paragraphs you have posted in the last month.