"It would make you look more Spanish"

Call it a teen 'stache. Call it a "Sánchez".

Either way, we've got one in la familia, ése - this badass is my brother.

During a recent skype chat, I was assaulted with this image.

"What's up with the teen 'stache?"

He explained that it had started as a joke with his friends. It would be funny if he grew one because it would make him look more "badass" or more "Spanish."

But why Spanish? Let's be real - the sparsely grown moustache on Latino features definitely conjures up images of mara salvatrucha and southcentral L.A.

The reason that the teen 'stache and the Hispanic 'stache are one and the same is that both require a sparse, thin moustache, exactly what a pubescent boy is capable of producing. Many Latino men straight up, aren't hairy. Throw some indigenous blood into the mix, and you get sparse hair growth on the arms, often no chest hair, and facial hair that will never allow a thick full beard.


Another thing is that vato loco style hasn't really changed over the years, and the moustache is an essential part of the look. Guys wear beaters with a checked shirt only buttoned at the top, khakis, sport the 'stache, and drive their lowriders with la Virgen de Guadalupe on the hood.

Same for the ladies - I've been wearing the same outfit for the last 10 years when I get in the mood to look more Latina, complete with big hair, tight white capri pants, hoop earrings and the quintessential contrast of white shimmery lipgloss with a ring of dark liner - and don't forget to wing the corners of your liquid liner that is only applied to the top lid.

So my brother is going to keep growing his 'stache for a little longer. Potentially to the stage where he can "style and groom it with upturned corners". More comments after a debriefing session about his experiment of consciously walking around with a stereotype on his face.

A guy carried my purse.

I was with some friends, and we were going into an "Indian" sheesha/wine establishment. Before I could walk past the sheer sequined fabric, shoes had to be removed. Aptly predicting the difficulties in simultaneously unzipping a tall stilletto boot and keeping one's balance, my Korean guy friend instintively grabbed my purse. He also did it again on the way out - and continued to hold it.

And I actually had to ask him for it back.

The boyfriend/guy friend carrying the purse is such a quintessential sight in Korea that it's even represented in the Ladies Room, as captured by a friend of mine who said, "I wasn't sure if I was in the right bathroom or not."

Let's be clear that this guy already has his own man purse, complete with chest strap. The red hand bag is an additional and undoubtedly female purse, which seems to say: "Your man is waiting for you outside the bathroom with your purse." However, this guy is pictured mid-stride, which could also suggest that he is walking with the purse for an extended period of time, rather than holding it for a brief moment.

Although the foreign community in Korea makes fun of it, I have to say it can be pretty damn practical. I probably would have fallen over while un-zipping those stiletto boots if I was also balancing a purse - and my own body- but only because my fierce boots have a 5-inch (reflective silver) fierce heel.