Citas a Ciegas

Citas a ciegas (blind dates) are an interesting phenomenon in Latin American and Mexican culture. They consist of two people meeting unexpectedly for the first time, usually by chance, and going on a date at the end. Citas a ciegas have been documented since the 19th century, but only gained popularity in recent decades. They are generally more popular among single people looking for love or friendship than among couples looking to introduce new people to each other before marriage.

Citas a ciegas may be seen as part of "traditional" romance, dating back to leisure activities centuries ago when men would go out hunting and women would stay home waiting for them until they return. Women used to go out hunting with their friends in the countryside on excursion days. The blind dates were something women would do to entertain themselves in these long, solitary hours.

Citas a ciegas are usually only held between certain people. People cannot just decide to have a citas a ciegas at random. Carnaval dates and Christmas dates are examples. They must either be arranged by someone or they just may happen by chance when two people meet by coincidence at various times over the course of years. These dates are not meant to be permanent; they are just a casual rendezvous for the evening.

Citas a ciegas are usually held in bars, restaurants, or nightclubs outside of town. The venues have names like "blind date cafe," "blind date bar," and "dating cafe." They are similar to blind dates in the United States, but they tend to vary by country due to cultural differences. In many Latin American countries this is how people meet their spouse or romantic partner. This is especially common in countries with large numbers of single people such as Honduras and Argentina.

Citas a ciegas may consist of only two people or as many as five or six people attending. In Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, and some other countries couples may participate in a citas a ciegas. Couples often break up after the date. Some couples eventually end up together because of a good impression made on one of them by the other person. In some cases, two people may never meet again once the date is over.

Citas a ciegas serve two purposes for participants: they get to know each other better and they often end up getting married or dating someone else as a result. Blind dates can reveal what kind of personality people have when they are not dating (e.g., shy or outgoing). They may also lead people to break up a long-term relationship. Sometimes they do not go so well and one of the pair feels embarrassed by the experience.

And those men who don't know how to treat a woman and think that it's okay to "wait until marriage" -- that misunderstanding can destroy someone's love for life.

"[The blind date] has become one of the most common institutions or phenomena in Latin America, particularly in Argentina, Mexico and Ecuador, where people simply go out to meet a potential partner."  -- Christel Pouliot 

The first documented date was by the poet Manuel Gómez Carrillo on his birthday in 1818 when he was already 66 years old.

Conclusion

Citas a ciegas are an interesting phenomenon in Latin American and Mexican culture. They consist of two people meeting unexpectedly for the first time, usually by chance, and going on a date at the end. Citas a ciegas have been documented since the 19th century, but only gained popularity in recent decades. They are generally more popular among single people looking for love or friendship than among couples looking to introduce new people to each other before marriage.

Citas a ciegas may be seen as part of "traditional" romance, dating back to leisure activities centuries ago when men would go out hunting and women would stay home waiting for them until they return.