A couple short stories for y'all.
Returning from my Memorial Day '07 trip, I encountered two guys waiting in the boarding lounge. They were talking at typical gringo volume, reliving every stroke, prices paid, best providers. I could feel the baleful stares around me. Idiots.
Another trip, I was walking down the aisle after using the lavatory. Two guys apparently recognized me from the SL, and loudly called, "Hey! SL!"
On a trip to C.R., I was seated next to a gringa who teaches in the C.R. prison system. We talked about the penal system, how many gringas are doing time in that system, and for what crimes. After a few moments of chat, with no hint being given by me as to my main purpose for traveling to C.R., she said: "And it looks like you're one of those so-called 'single gentleman travelers' that are causing so many social problems in C.R."

Uh, I'm part of the problems of poverty, lack of education, lack of opportunity for single mothers, lack of a social safety net? Okay, me... I'm the criminal here. I didn't retort, because doing so would have proven her point, that I was indeed a whoremonger.
Guys, there's no easy way to say this so I'll be blunt. We are presumed to be whoremongers automatically, if we travel alone or in small, all-male groups (i.e. without a woman/k*ds by our side).
Even if one was going to C.R. for completely innocent (in quotation marks) reasons, the vast majority of people we encounter on our journeys will presume we're mongers.
And that's why I've deceded to dress as a Catholic priest on future trips, Bible in hand, Roman collar and crucifix. Oh wait, bad idea...the locals would then presume I'm there to f*ck little boys.
