On Argentine Men (a kinder, gentler edition)

Now that I am sliding into the end of my time here in Argentina, I have begun to think about the things I will miss about being here.  To be honest, while my dating life has been nonexistent (not a complaint, I promise!), I have really enjoyed all the random men that have walked into my life.  All those aged porteros, maintenance folks, and strangers on the street who just want to see you smile, if only for a moment, with a friendly "Como andas, linda?" or a "Hermosa, que tal?" or "Amor, como te va?" or "Corazon, tan linda..." - all variations on the theme of how beautiful they think I am.  It's not that they think they'll get anywhere by saying it, but hey, if something happens, they won't fight it either.  


Just the other night, I was walking Maggie and the old Italian gentleman who moved here with his parents when very young and now owns one of the neighborhood parillas stopped me to talk about local politics.  At the end of five minutes, he commented that we should have a coffee soon and chat more, noting that I was such a bonbom.  Which is true, I am very sweet.  Or that I just listened to him and agreed with everything he said.  One of the two.


It is these exact moments that I will miss here.  The easy way Argentines have in becoming familiar with you, always with a smile no matter what.