Barfing While driving, Women With Attitude, and Men Who Love the Chase

Even though Puerto Rico is considered a part of the United States, it has a very distinctive culture. The houses remind me A LOT of South America. They are made of concrete, stacked up upon each other, and are a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. It was refreshing to see because here in Utah every house seems the same to me.  A majority of people use fans instead of A.C., due to its high costs on the island. One of my friends told me it costs him $400.00 each month for A.C. even though he only uses it at night. Can you imagine! Esh! No wonder everyone uses fans! It is extremely hot in Puerto Rico; it was around 95 degrees while we were there with humidity. I forgot how much humidity hits you in the face while you’re there!

 

The Women/Men

 

Women in Puerto Rico know that they are gorgeous, and have lots of attitude as a result. But the men in Puerto Rico love the chase, and often times appreciate the attitude. It is all about making love on that island. So many people get married and are not happy, have affairs, and lots of drama is then included within families. Not that all Puerto Ricans are the same, it was just something I observed, and was confirmed by several locals. Appearance matters, which is why everyone is always so incredibly dressed up all the time. Sex is discussed openly there, and dancing is a gateway to that very act in Puerto Rico. Did I tell you that all the men shave their legs and wax their eyebrows? Just thought it was interesting!

Drugs/Alcohol

 

Weed is very common in PR, while eating at a restaurant we were asked by our waiter the following question,

 

“You two seem like cool girls, would you like to come back to my apartment and smoke weed for a while?”

 

I couldn’t believe he had asked! We obviously declined the offer but I was just star struck as to what just happened. There are very distinctive places to attain drugs there, and we made sure to stay far away from them.  I couldn’t believe the complete honesty of Puerto Ricans, it made me laugh to be honest. Haha No thank you, I don’t smoke weed is all I could muster back.

 

People begin drinking on Thursday night and party until Saturday night, dancing and drinking at the clubs. Wilson, a man I met while there, told me the thoughts of many Puerto Ricans on drinking it driving. They don’t understand how there can be so many accidents of drinking while driving in Puerto Rico, because they do it themselves all the time! Wilson said he has been drunk so many times while driving, even throwing up outside the window while still continuing to drive! I have reached the conclusion that Puerto Ricans have a much higher tolerance for alcohol, which is why they can drive so incredibly drunk and not kill anyone. Alcohol is everywhere, you see people drinking early in the morning even! I really do think it is something about their blood that gives them that higher tolerance, what else could it be! The legal age of drinking in PR is 18, but many men start at the ripe age of 13. I was a little surprised to hear this, but not after I was there on a weekend. Haha

 

Dressing UP

 

If you show up to dinner in jeans in a T-shirt in Puerto Rico people around you will know that you are a tourist. When you go to dinner there you wear a very nice dress, (typically sparkly) and some killer high heels. You put lots of make up on and you never ever wear flip flops. Everyone dresses up for dinner, or for going out. I have never ever seen so many people look so nice in my life!

The people

The people of Puerto Rico are so very kind! They always stop for pedestrians to cross the street! Which is not a pleasure I get here in Utah! They are very giving, always willing to stop what they are doing and help you. They are also hilarious, and know how to make you smile. I would think that Puerto Ricans are tired of tourists but that is not the case, they are always friendly towards them and giving.

-Amber Toy