There are many reasons why dating a Latino guy can be fun. Their accents and sense of style are sexy, they will introduce you to exotic new cuisines and you’ll have fun on the dance floor swinging your hips to a salsa beat. However, dating a Hispanic guy can be a bit of a culture shock, so here is some advice on approaching Latino dating with confidence.
All cultures have their differences, but one big element of dating a Latino guy compared to an American man is when you date. Hispanic guys can be very laid back, and as a culture Latino people tend to eat later at night, which means staying out drinking later too.
There is also something of a stereotype that Hispanic men have a tendency to be late for things, so be prepared to go with the flow regarding your dating schedule. Don’t panic, though: it doesn’t mean that he’s not into you, it’s just what he’s used to.
While many men live up to the “macho” stereotype, Mexican guys with a macho persona often have old-fashioned and conservative ideas when it comes to women and dating. This means that a Mexican guy might expect a woman to have a more traditional role at home.
This traditional mindset also applies to dating, and you might find that a Mexican guy takes things more slowly when in a relationship compared to a guy from a Western background. In fact, many Hispanic men have strict rules when it comes to dating, so don’t make a move too quickly as you might overwhelm your date with physical advances too soon into the relationship. All relationships are unique, so make sure that you respect each other’s boundaries and only take things to a physical level if the chemistry feels right.
However, not all Mexican guys adopt this macho persona. Many Mexican men respect women and are seeking an equal when it comes to dating. There may still be some instances where you clash due to cultural differences, but many Hispanic guys will be open to debate rather than shut you down completely in a way that a guy with a more patriarchal attitude would.
There is a stereotype, especially around Puerto Rican men, that Hispanic guys are sensual and romantic but can also be possessive and jealous. There is also a stereotype that Mexican guys even believe that if a woman is dating, she shouldn’t be spending any time with another guy, even if it is just innocent socializing.
As well as a cultural clash, you might experience a linguistic one too. If English is a guy’s second language or you don’t speak Spanish, you might also find that you argue over small misunderstandings due to the language barrier. One of you might struggle to find the right word or misuse a word inappropriately. A Latino guy from a big family will also be used to talking loudly to get his opinion across, and Mexican guys, in particular, are quite open and not very sensitive in the sense that they don’t really care about offending anyone, so you may find that levels of confrontation are slightly higher than you’re used to.
That being said, Latino guys have big hearts and once they fall for you, they will be extremely loyal to you. They also come from a fascinating culture, so expect your dates to be filled with exotic food and great music. Hispanic guys, especially Mexican guys, can also be extremely effusive compared to their Western counterparts. You may be a little cautious at first, but there are several signs to look for that mean he wants to get serious.
Because Latino guys are so passionate and open with their emotions, it might be hard to tell if he’s looking to get serious or just to get physical. However, there are several hints that will mean your guy is looking to take things further than dating.
A family is a big deal in Hispanic cultures, so if he invites you to any family events or parties then this is an indication that he’s thinking about getting serious with you. Latino guys are also notoriously laid back, so another sign that he really likes you is if he shows up to dates on time and also follows up with how you are after a date.
If you don’t speak Spanish, he might also offer to teach you, not just as an excuse to practice his English but as a way to get closer to you. This can also be a fun yet different way of getting to know each other better and enhance the intimacy between the two of you.
Everyone has different relationships with their family, but Latino culture is particularly family oriented. It’s also typical in Mexican culture, especially for men to live at home with their parents until they get married.
Making the effort to get to know his relatives will make a great first impression, and you may find that you’re adopted into the close-knit community a little earlier on than when dating a guy from a different cultural background.
You may also want to take into consideration that many Hispanic families are religious; even if the guy you’re dating isn’t a devout believer, it’s important to respect his family’s beliefs and traditions. For instance, it is a tradition in many Latino cultures to celebrate Christmas with a huge feast on Christmas Eve, staying up to see in midnight and celebrate well into the early hours of the morning.
Hispanic families are often child-orientated too; at first, you might find it odd to see children in bars, but Latinos tend to bring their children with them wherever they go, so with the late night celebrations it’s not uncommon to see the youngsters sleeping in booths or on couches while the family parties on.
Of course, your dating experience will be unique as every relationship is different, but these are a few differences that you may encounter when dating a Latino guy.