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I'm Indian myself, but born and raised in the US and have traveled extensively around Latin America. I have been to Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina. I lived in Buenos Aires for an entire year. I felt very welcomed in all of those countries. Just as welcomed as I've ever felt in North America or Europe. In Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and Southern Brazil, there are those who feel they are superior to the rest of Latin America, but most people are not like that. In general, if you are friendly, open-minded, respectful, and show some effort in speaking Spanish (or Portuguese in Brazil), you will be treated wonderfully. I made some great friends living in Argentina. Also, since Indians are a rare sight in most of Latin America, people often came up to me out of curiosity, asked questions, and invited me into their homes for wine and conversation. All things considered, I find Latin Americans to be among the friendliest people in the world, and that region is on of the most beautiful on Earth. Don't hesitate to visit, it's a great place.
As far as doing well with women, I didn't find it to be much different than in Europe or North America. If anything, I had an advantage because as an American (despite being of Indian descent, people actually ALWAYS knew I was an American just from the way I dressed, my accent when speaking Spanish, my mannerisms, etc), many women assumed I was wealthy.
THANKS! Repped
So did you hook up with any women there?
Women from a lot of those countries just get me, like they are really my type (argentina especially)
I am of Indian descent but of 2nd generation, with myself and my parents raised in North America.
Having lived in Latin America, I've travelled to nearly every country and never experienced anything. 80% of the people I come across claim me for their own, so to speak (ie: Brazilians assume I am Brazilians, Panamanians that I'm Panamanian). And when I've said no, I'm American/ Canadian, they are much less PC and say "well you don't look it", and once I tell them my background they are more curious than anything else. There are certainly no major preconceived notions that I found, aside from some countries thinking all Indians are "rich". Actually, Brazilians are really into Indian culture and Indian soap operas (of all things), and most knew more than I did!
To sum up, I think half the stereotypes and media hype about Latin American are pure BS. You will be fine.
ETA: Though I now speak Spanish, I didn't when I first moved. People are more than happy to help!
On and interesting fact: In Panama there is a good number of Indians an they have a few mosques and a Hindu temple. These Indians were originally brought over for the building of the canal, but stayed on for generations. They now basically own the free trade zone and have a monopoly on electronics.
I'm Indian myself, but born and raised in the US and have traveled extensively around Latin America. I have been to Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina. I lived in Buenos Aires for an entire year. I felt very welcomed in all of those countries. Just as welcomed as I've ever felt in North America or Europe. In Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and Southern Brazil, there are those who feel they are superior to the rest of Latin America, but most people are not like that.
It's true: there are racist people in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and Southern Brazil. But, fortunately, they are a minority. The large majority has no such kind of feelings.
In the rest of Latin America (including the rest of Brazil, outside the three Southern states), I'm sure there is ZERO possibility of you having any problem related to "race".
In Rio de Janeiro, Fortaleza, Caracas, Bogota or Panama City any tourist of any "race" will be well treated, and nobody will care about what "race" you are.
I am of Indian descent but of 2nd generation, with myself and my parents raised in North America.
Having lived in Latin America, I've travelled to nearly every country and never experienced anything. 80% of the people I come across claim me for their own, so to speak (ie: Brazilians assume I am Brazilians, Panamanians that I'm Panamanian). And when I've said no, I'm American/ Canadian, they are much less PC and say "well you don't look it", and once I tell them my background they are more curious than anything else. There are certainly no major preconceived notions that I found, aside from some countries thinking all Indians are "rich". Actually, Brazilians are really into Indian culture and Indian soap operas (of all things), and most knew more than I did!
Any person from India, or with Indian descent, can easily pass as a local, in a crowd in Brazil.
People from India really look like Brazilians. It's almost impossible to any Brazilian to look to a person from India in the street, and realize that person is not a Brazilian, unless that person is dressed in "non-Western" clothes, or is speaking in a foreign language. If the person is dressed in regular Western clothes and keeps silent, everyone will think this person is a Brazilian.
And it's true: Brazilians are very curious about the culture of India. And this curiosity increased after the popular soap opera "Caminho das Indias" ("The Path to India") which was aired a few years ago on TV. Of course you should be prepared to hear some stupid questions about "Dalits" and how they are discriminated in India, but don't take it as a personal offense.
I have a coworker from Panama who's pretty dark skinned. He's traveled South American pretty extensively and said the only place he felt uncomfortable was Argentina. He said he got kind of a hostile vibe until they found out he was just visiting - not moving there. The conversation came up after I asked him about his travels - he volunteered his opinion on Argentina.
I have a coworker from Panama who's pretty dark skinned. He's traveled South American pretty extensively and said the only place he felt uncomfortable was Argentina. He said he got kind of a hostile vibe until they found out he was just visiting - not moving there. The conversation came up after I asked him about his travels - he volunteered his opinion on Argentina.
You will be fine, even more your accent will be a big advantage (women love foreign people from exotic places-hence you.
And Buah if an argentinian wants to discriminate someone because of his skin he would say "negro de m...." ,not "morocho" (its not morucho) which is like a friendly way of referring to someone.
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