Posted by Porker on January 19, 2001 at 11:19:25:
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NO, you do not NEED to speak ANY SPANISH in TJ. Read the Brockton O'Toole FAQ and it will tell you everything you need to know to get your gringo ass to Adelitas or Chicago Club, and for a c-note you can have a pretty enjoyable evening (although I'd recommend doubling that if you have the means). You will not be able to hold meaningful conversations with most people if you speak no Spanish. but I doubt that's why most people go there anyway. Getting laid is gonna be real, real easy if you have a decent amount of money in your pocket, and as far as getting along with chicas, I would say that paying her the going rate and being friendly -- smiling, adoring -- are a lot more important than language skills. There was some general advice below that claimed that passable Spanish is needed in the bars other than CC or AB as well, but I would encourage people to check them out regardless. It ain't rocket science in those places, believe me, there are very few curves they can throw you. You will be asked to sit down. If you don't understand they will POINT. You will be asked to buy a drink. Last I checked they had Tecate and Coca Cola in every Quickie Mart in the US as well as Mexico. Waiters in TJ are generally not my favorite people in the Zona, but even the dumbest of them (the big guy with the mustache and glasses at CC) should be able to get you the beverage of your choice if you're not ordering something exotic (tho do NOT expect to get a MARGARITA in the Zona unless you're talking about a babe at AB!). Asking the price ahead of time (cuanto??? -- caveman -- 'que mucho deniro') and paying with exact change will keep even the shadiest waiter from ripping you off. You will often be asked directly by either a waiter or a chica if you would like to bring her to your table for a drink. Again, if you 'no habla', pointing can get a lot done. The same goes if you decide to take the bull by the horns and ask the waiter to fetch you somebody or ask the chica yourself. These people are professionals, even in the littlest bar, and they really WANT you to spend your money. If you have some, they will be eager to help you enjoy it. Sitting with a chica that speaks no English should not prevent you from having a good time with her. If there is chemistry there it should be apparent. If she drinks slowly (if she's done in 5 minutes or less, she's looking to hit and run or is THIRSTY) there's nothing wrong with buying her another one. If she makes any EFFORT to converse with you, you should be able to at the very least be able to try and talk a LITTLE. Maybe she can teach you some Spanish, who knows. If all attempts at verbal communication fail, I have seen guys get their point across re: their intentions by touching the girl -- rubbing her shoulder or back, stroking her thigh, etc. I don't prefer to get grabby in the bar, but then again, it lets your intentions be known, and if you are gentle about it, the usual worst case scenario is that you will be asked to cease and desist. The upside is that she might see a money making opportunity staring her in the face and decide to make your horny gringo dreams come true. When the mood strikes, simply ASK HER to go to the hotel, or find a waiter to negotiate the transaction for you. The word HOTEL is the same in Spanish as in English. My favorite espanol-challenged amigo has this transaction down to a science: Point at the girl and say 'you, hotel?' She will either say yes or no. A smile when asked is GOOD. They will ALL know what American money is. If you can't get across the concept of an amount, you can always simply SHOW HER THE MONEY. She WILL get the point, and again, will almost surely say simply yes or no. Once you get her in the room, that's when Spanish speaking ability is really at a PREMIUM. After all, hearing her life story in a quiet, private location is the reason why you brought her there in the first place, right??? I am not advising everyone to start roaming the alley behind Tropical on their first visit to Mexico or anything of the sort. But with all the good press Las Chavelas got below and its extreme proximity to Adelitas, I don't think anyone should be too terrified to even peek in the door solely on the basis of their lack of language skills. There WILL BE some chicas that are a bit afraid of gringos, either because of THEIR inability to speak YOUR language, or fear that gringos only want 'one thing'. This is not normally the feeling of the majority of chicas in any Zona bar, however, and if you don't get the right vibe, cut bait and move on. I think that for any newbie Adelitas and Chicago should offer anything you need to have a good time in the Zona Norte. If you are feeling adventurous, however, you ain't gotta habla bien espanol to be able to start checking out other bars.
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