American Men as a Type

Now, I'm not sure what exactly struck Maria when she met Mark Sanford on that dance floor in Uruguay, but growing up in Puerto Rico, I remember American men as a type.

I also occasionally ran into them on dance floors and they were invariably taller than me, which impressed me immensely because, at 5-9, I towered over all the women I knew and most Puerto Rican men. (Height was also key to dance compatibility.)

They seldom spoke Spanish, so they sounded smart and confident in English, the language I was struggling to learn.

They had an air of sophistication just by having traveled to the island.

And they were refreshingly non-macho.

Attach the title "Congressman" or "Governor," and I can see how someone's knees may have buckled.

It wasn't until I moved to the mainland that I was able to see beyond stereotypes. Some American men were actually dumb, devious and disgusting, just like some men and some women from everywhere else in this world!

If Maria has been following her own press, she knows by now that her dashing governor:

-has "crossed the line" with other women while married.

-wants to fall back in love with his wife even though you're his "soulmate."

-compares himself to King David.

-says God wants him to stay in office.

-doesn't seem to have a pause button.

And let's not forget the indignity of making you write emails in broken English.

Sorry, Maria, but your impossible love is no Gregory Peck.