Jessica Weiss

I’m back in Buenos Aires, and today the weather is so crisp and beautiful that I couldn’t resist a long run. Since I brought back with me an iPod that works (yay!), I decided to put on some dance tunes and use it.

Running is always interesting in Buenos Aires. Crazy drivers, dog poo, crowded streets, not to mention men who think it’s fun to say ridiculous things to you. In Buenos Aires, this street seduction is called piropos.

This hilarious blog explains them as the following: “In theory and definition, piropos are poetic compliments that men mutter to women in passing on the street. In practice, they are far from compliments. Some are benign like “que hermosa” or “te amo.” Others are so vulgar and raw that they would make Biggie’s skin crawl.”

It could be worse, I suppose, considering this news that men here are hot with a capital H, but many women really detest it. Like, really (great video). Other women I’ve spoken to think they’re creative and/or funny and don’t seem to care.

Well today, thanks to my headphones, I made up a new game that I think you all should try, regardless of how you feel about piropos. It’s called “Use Good-Looking Men Murmuring X-Rated Things to Fulfill Your Dreams.”

That’s right, ladies, all you have to do to feel good about yourself instead of feeling like you’ve just hit 3rd base with the garbage man is put on some headphones. Here’s how you play: As the men move their mouths and get creepily close to you, just make up what they’re saying. It’s that easy. Like today, the taxista who pulled up next to me and tried to seduce me from inside his car as I waited at a red light, he was really saying: How about we critique each other’s latest writings and then watch French films while I brush your hair? Then, the doorman at a building on Libertador asked me: When should we get together to talk about our deep feelings and concerns for the world? The guy coming out of McDonalds: I finally perfected my Spaghetti Bolognese recipe. Want to come over to try it for dinner? 

Man, it made running so much more enjoyable. So go ahead and try it! I look forward to hearing what sort of empowering piropos you receive…