should I be concerned?

[Mo_Mati 2]

I agree with Lucyrich on this one.

Policitcally correct norms do not exist the same way outside of US cultures, and it is not fair to assume that they do.

It is quite common to hear people use, what they consider, terms of endearment in Spanish which can refer to physical features/characteristics of a person. My husband is known as pelado (baldy) by most of his friends, my sister in law calls her husband "gordito" (fatty) "gordo" (fat) "negrito" (little dark skin) (sometimes placing a "my" infront of those names to sweeten it up). I have also known a "chino" (someone with thinner eye slits but not of asian decent), "flacita" (skinny chic), and the list goes on and on. Sometimes it doesn't even actually have to do with their actual physical appearance (people have called me "negrita" and "flaca" as nicknames...and I am going to tell you that as a typical Irish American I was not expecting it). A cultural comparison could be calling someone "shorty" in english. I think it is important to remember that in English we often only remark on these types of physical charictaristics when it is something that is part of one's genetics (height, hair color, eye color) but not things that we actually have a different level of control over (weight). But that has not been true in other countries that I have lived in.

People also call their kids "mamita" o "papi" (mommy and daddy)...but once again, it is a cultural difference. They don't actually believe their 10 month old is their daddy...it is what they say.

I agree that it is really important to talk and communicate how these words make you feel. Most people knew that I did NOT want to be called gringa (I do have a name) while living abroad, but in a general conversation around "gringos" I do accept the term. My husband is VERY aware to not use termonology around being fat because it isn't something that roles off his tongue, but also it is something we have talked about and I have told him how it makes me feel. "Tonto" is a whole other league....

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Absolutely. One of my favorite aunts is dark skinned, and we all call her La Negra, and I have had my sleuth of "Chino" and "Gorda" friends. I have been "Flaquita" for a loooooooong time; my dad is called "Chaparrito" by my mom (shorty); and she is referred to as "Loquilla" (crazy one).

GREAT. Now I miss them and want to go home

[elyandmichael 0]

HI Troy,

Im so sorry what is happening now, well, I should tell you that those words are not a "cultural" expresion...also, as other friends here said, it depends of the tone too...but, to me they sound rude..im so sorry because I know how much you did to brought her with you...Did you talk with her about this??..Communication is the key...

I wish you the best...

[^KK^ 3]

I pretty sure she knows if he is being "mean" or not. there is a certain tone in how it is being said. Period.

[almaty 19]

Absolutely. One of my favorite aunts is dark skinned, and we all call her La Negra, and I have had my sleuth of "Chino" and "Gorda" friends. I have been "Flaquita" for a loooooooong time; my dad is called "Chaparrito" by my mom (shorty); and she is referred to as "Loquilla" (crazy one).

GREAT. Now I miss them and want to go home

and "Gordo and Flacca ..sound like a tv show on azteca... or is that univision

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Absolutely. One of my favorite aunts is dark skinned, and we all call her La Negra, and I have had my sleuth of "Chino" and "Gorda" friends. I have been "Flaquita" for a loooooooong time; my dad is called "Chaparrito" by my mom (shorty); and she is referred to as "Loquilla" (crazy one).

GREAT. Now I miss them and want to go home

and "Gordo and Flacca ..sound like a tv show on azteca... or is that univision

lolz... I think it's Univision or Galavision ------ not that I watch that ####### or anything....

[almaty 19]

Absolutely. One of my favorite aunts is dark skinned, and we all call her La Negra, and I have had my sleuth of "Chino" and "Gorda" friends. I have been "Flaquita" for a loooooooong time; my dad is called "Chaparrito" by my mom (shorty); and she is referred to as "Loquilla" (crazy one).

GREAT. Now I miss them and want to go home

and "Gordo and Flacca ..sound like a tv show on azteca... or is that univision

lolz... I think it's Univision or Galavision ------ not that I watch that ####### or anything....

that Flacca..has some large melons.....i remember , she was flat as amber at one time

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Absolutely. One of my favorite aunts is dark skinned, and we all call her La Negra, and I have had my sleuth of "Chino" and "Gorda" friends. I have been "Flaquita" for a loooooooong time; my dad is called "Chaparrito" by my mom (shorty); and she is referred to as "Loquilla" (crazy one).

GREAT. Now I miss them and want to go home

and "Gordo and Flacca ..sound like a tv show on azteca... or is that univision

lolz... I think it's Univision or Galavision ------ not that I watch that ####### or anything....

that Flacca..has some large melons.....i remember , she was flat as amber at one time

La Flaca- is really a man .... kidding. Though she does look like an ugly trannie.

[almaty 19]

Absolutely. One of my favorite aunts is dark skinned, and we all call her La Negra, and I have had my sleuth of "Chino" and "Gorda" friends. I have been "Flaquita" for a loooooooong time; my dad is called "Chaparrito" by my mom (shorty); and she is referred to as "Loquilla" (crazy one).

GREAT. Now I miss them and want to go home

and "Gordo and Flacca ..sound like a tv show on azteca... or is that univision

lolz... I think it's Univision or Galavision ------ not that I watch that ####### or anything....

that Flacca..has some large melons.....i remember , she was flat as amber at one time

La Flaca- is really a man .... kidding. Though she does look like an ugly trannie.

she looks better she she bought some tatas/////gordo, well he is well fed

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

intonation is the keyword here,

I call ze wife gringuita, and calling your significant other in spanish gordo o gorda is a term of endearment as far as Mexico goes,

Stupid, well...if I say to somebody i know "don't be stupid" but they are my friends and they know is not because of meanness but just an exclamation I say it's ok,

intonation is vital...

[Chica Yeyé 41]

intonation is the keyword here,

I call ze wife gringuita, and calling your significant other in spanish gordo o gorda is a term of endearment as far as Mexico goes,

Stupid, well...if I say to somebody i know "don't be stupid" but they are my friends and they know is not because of meanness but just an exclamation I say it's ok,

intonation is vital...

Te quiero muncho retihartoooooo chaparro prietito gordisssss

[sj5 4]

Not nice

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

intonation is the keyword here,

I call ze wife gringuita, and calling your significant other in spanish gordo o gorda is a term of endearment as far as Mexico goes,

Stupid, well...if I say to somebody i know "don't be stupid" but they are my friends and they know is not because of meanness but just an exclamation I say it's ok,

intonation is vital...

Te quiero muncho retihartoooooo chaparro prietito gordisssss

Although when the terms of endearment do not come from the significant other, they can be taken as offensive and out of touch

[Kiv 32]

once when i was a diva, i had a Dominican bf who used to call me Fea, which i have to admit i did not like so much.

then i called him Puto in front of his friends, and he stopped hanging out with me.

You are the best !

[sara..... 371]

lucyrich just made a great point. I have heard couples in Mexico refer to each other as "gordo" or "gordito" (fatty, for lack of a better translation) as pet names. I forgot that!

once when i was a diva, i had a Dominican bf who used to call me Fea, which i have to admit i did not like so much.

then i called him Puto in front of his friends, and he stopped hanging out with me.

opps that would do it

sara