www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Doing a little soul-searching lately, and am curious how others on the board look upon mongering in the overall scheme of things...

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Check out http://weluvlatinas.com/ for the web's best info on the latin american monger lifestyle...

My answer was (1), but CR is only one of several venues for me. Most of the women I see are courtesans that I have known for a few years, and I have been following this lifestyle for just over three years.

The best part is that I have met some seriously interesting women. In the social programming we get, I would have to decide on an SO - one SO - and then we would have to struggle through the "relationship." I am far happier with several ATFs, and it costs about the same. And damn but I have more fun, and can count several amazing women as friends - friends where there is a constancy to the friendship. It's not the intensity or dedication of a SO thing, but there are several that I would see in the hospital, and otherwise do SO-type things for. (None in CR so far.)

I just think that civilization has reached a new threshold as far as the character of interpersonal relationships, and that the social systems have not caught up and are holding most of us back.

Or maybe I am just a hedonist. There is no way I could enjoy the full variety of life as I see it with just one woman, and I don't know what's in store for my next time around. For this punch of the card, I am going to have the experiences I want to, rather than living in quiet desperation.

Of course I don't know how this will all play out for me in 20 years, but I do know how it does for the societal norms. (And yes, my parents are still living, together, and caring for each other.) At some point I may find that I am fooling myself.

But there are enduring elements to several of these relationships, including with some ladies that are no longer or never have been sexual partners. And as I said, truthfully, I would be there if they were in the hospital, and I think it would mean something to be there. Some are within 10 years of my age, so we are at least on the same general side of the age curve, and are thinking about the final end game.

And of course there is the 20-something tica that says she is in love with me. I can see me as a 70-something, on a modest plantation, helping her raise... well, more like worry about her K*ds at that age. Who knows.

One thing for sure, I have enjoyed taking the path less traveled by, even if the end may not promise all that my parents have. There are thousands of species of birds, but only one of humanity. My belief is that Providence has put us here to explore the differences, not to reinforce the norm. I would hope that we can discover and expand what being alive offers.

I would prefer to lament not having what is known, than lament what I did not try.

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"Ah, if only I had brought a cigar with me! This would have established my identity." - Charles Dickens

GR,
Good question, but tough answer. And kudos on the titles ("I love the nightlife, etc").
I enjoy many aspects of the hobby, but my biggest concern about it, by far, is getting caught. Although I have no problems discussing my desires among my brothers on the board, in my home life, I am very discreet. My biggest issue with the hobby is the fear of my peers finding out just how involved I am in it. Consequently, answer #2 is the closest to my situation.

Which brings me to an observation I would like to share, although I do not want to hijack this post. Last time I was in Costa Rica, I went on a rainforest tour. In my group was a guy who was staying at the DelRey. He was not at all bashful about his love for the hobby, even when a couple of foreign women joined the group. Rather, he boasted about how he was actually saving money by mongering in Costa Rica. I sort of despised him (he was a tad on the obnoxious side) and admired him at the same time.

Ciaociao...you seem to touch on an issue that probably most of us feel at times. It seems sad that in our home towns or country we are not allowed to be open about our true desires or lifestyles. I used to work with teenagers back in my younger days...trying to help influence for the good...and this was before my "mongering days" . One of the things I used to tell them was...if you want to know who you really are and what you are really like...you have to go where no one knows you or are observing you or knowing where you come from. Then, without rules or expectations, be and act the way that comes natural to you. Thats how you really know who YOU are.

Unfortunately, most people never get out of the cocoon of their past or traditions to analyze other ways of living or looking at life. I truly believe this board is unique in the number of men who have taken the challenge to get out of their "boxed in lives", and look for self fulfillment on terms they never thought possible or permissable before. Some of us like the mongering, some dont. In the end, you dont know til ya tried it. At the same time, most people never escape the guilt ridden, manipulative worlds they grew up in. At least thats the way I see it.

YO Monger Poll:

Shit.....I can't get laid. No creature breathing will lay under this decrepit body. Okay, okay......there was that lonely goat down in San Ramon but that's a personal issue......pissed me off after the bell around her neck left bruises on my neck. lol

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Damn if I'm going to repeat this shit again. I need a drink.
I've been drinking vodka every day for 45 years and I have certainly never found it to be habit forming.

Wow - I have to say I'm shocked - well, impressed - at the level of participation in this poll. I expected a response more along the lines of "Geez, GR - not another one of your dickhead polls..". Or at least some suggestions on other categories to add.

I would love to know how the results break out across age and level of experience. I suspect that Category 1 is mostly made up of the hardcore old-timers and the newbies in their first flush of mongering bliss. The one that really surprises me is Category 3. Based on most of the dialog on this site, I would never have guessed there were so many M-men and "would-be" M-men among us (not splitting hairs for the moment over the exact definition of an M-man). And I think my title for that one is pretty accurate - if love is what you're really seeking, the gulch certainly isn't the right place to look for it.

As for myself, after my previous attempt at a LTR with a "non-pro" Tica, I'm a lot more realistic about things. So Category 2 feels about right at the moment. After you've been in this a while, you really start to notice the more sordid side of the game. But like a moth to a flame, I'm drawn back once again - and we'll see what transpires this time around....

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Check out http://weluvlatinas.com/ for the web's best info on the latin american monger lifestyle...

In the context just of CR, my answer would be Category (2) also. But there is always room for improvement!

On another board, a lady offered this quote about my attitude...

For all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are those 'It might have been.' - John Greenleaf Whittier

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"Ah, if only I had brought a cigar with me! This would have established my identity." - Charles Dickens

I am also rather surprised as to the number of people
who picked "M-men".

On to the next part of your poll.

I'm 45 and single (never married).
I didn't get into going overseas for P4P until the
end of 2001, after all of the local MP's were shut down.

Prior to that, I did a few P4P adventures in the
early 80's to Amsterdam, but nothing after the
start of 85, except around town at local MP's.

ShyOne

GetRhythm Wrote:

I would have to say that this would be the one for me if you substituted Wife for “Work” and K*ds for “the PEOPLE involved in my life”.

Partially # 2 as well.
I went from being “The Man” in High School and few years after. But turned in to a workaholic, hermit. For the past six years my life has been nothing but work, home, drama, sleep, and back to work. Hitting the clubs here tend to be very expensive, especially with or trying to meet company.

P4P lets me concentrate my funds on all I need at this point of my life. As far as CR goes its total escape. I forget it all when I’m there. Well that’s until my last day.

A girlfriend can be cool, but right now I deal with enough drama and other people games.

hmm Couldn't really pick a category. It is a convenience thing at the time. I work or am thinking about work 24/7 and don;t really have the time to have a girlfriend. Especially down here where so much attention is needed when you are in a relationship. I do like to have a connection with the girls but have never fooled myself on any issues of love. I like to have a regular, but haven't had one for a while. I'll probably fool around with the working girls until the company is set and I have more freedom. Then, I'll probably settle on someone.