Of course I am living in a machismo country, and an especially machismo city. You don't paint boys' finger nails. You don't give your boys baby dolls. And you definitely clarify that pink is a girls' color... if you are not me.
And while I was prepared for some comments, I didn't realize that EVERYONE in this city would notice his tiny nails.
On our way home from the park, three street girls of about 12 years old stopped me to ask if I had anything I could give them. Since we had walked I really didn't and I told them sorry. We all chatted for a minute about how it is getting cold, I made a mental note to bring out a blanket to give the next time, and we went to enter our building. That's when I heard the:
"Tia?" It means Aunt and is a common way kids refer to unknown women here for some reason.
I turned to listen and all the girls were giggling. The oldest asked "Did YOU paint his nails pink?!" I said yes I did and the Menace, hearing the conversation, turned to proudly show them his nails. "But he's a boy!"
Apparently the machismo societal standards are enforced even by those that very society rejects. Go figure.
Would you paint your toddler's son's nails if he asked?
