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. MYTHBUSTER
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Navigating the First Times
THE START OF a relationship is exciting, but it's not without its pitfalls. Some
take the form of crucial firsts: the first time you meet your new guy's parents,
take a vacation together, say "I love you" out loud. Handle those moments right
and you're on the way to a steady, strong and lasting relationship. Here's how:
Mom, Dad,
Meet Faux Pas
You've charmed him,
now it's time to charm
Mami y Papi. Rule No.1:
"Leave the midriff-
baring shirt and low-
rise jeans at home," says
Michelle E. Vasquez, a
relationship coach. Dress
conservatively. Think
church or job interview,
not nightclub. Be genuine
(don't present a facade
uynna
you think they'll approve
of) and genuinely
.COI}} interested (do ask Dad
about his woodworking
hobby), says relationship
expert Nancy Pina. Leave
out unnecessary details
about yourself-like your
three tattoos. "Keep the
conversation light, like on
a first date," Pina adds.
76 LATINA.COM . JUNE/JULY 2009
Ready to Pack?
Before you take a trip with
your new sweetie, Vasquez
says, ask yourself: Do
I like him enough to spend
several days alone with
him? Am I ready for sex?
Do we have similar tastes
in activities? Discuss
these things with your
partner before booking.
Laura Hernandez, 27,
of West New York,N.J.,
remembers going away
with a new boyfriend and
becoming claustrophobic.
"I just wasn't ready to see
him go to the bathroom,"
she says. "When we
returned, we didn't talk for
a week." Vasquez's advice:
Keep the first trip short
and near home; bring cash
and credit cards in case
things go south.
Three Little Words
The age-old question:
Should you say "I love
you" first? Never, Vasquez
says: "Most guys will run
for the hills. Instead, say,
'I enjoy your company' or
'I feel close to you.' And
wait for him to say it." Pina
disagrees: "Say the words
without expectations,
when mutual trust
and respect have been
established, and when
he possesses the positive
qualities you can build
a solid foundation on."
The bottom line? No one
can tell you when it's right
to say it. Youjust have to
follow your gut on this one.
-Damarys Ocana
Can
condoms
cause a
UTI?
No, though lovemaking
nse~ can cause a urinary
tract infection. "It's usually
during sex that the penis
irritates the urethra and
pushes bacteria into n
and up to the bladder,
causing an infection,"
says Rosalinda Carrizales,
D.O., of Community
Medical Associates in
San Angelo, Texas. So
flush out any bacteria by
taking a pee break right
after eadl session.
Already have a UTI? Then
head to the doc, take
antibiotics exactly as
prescribed, drink up on
water and stay away from
alcohol, citrus juices and
caffeine- they'll only
irritate your bladder and
increase those already-
painful trips to the
bathroom.
. Cute Couple of
the Month
YASMI1l, 28, A1lD TARSICIO DE LA
TORRE, 28, OF LYlfWOOD, CALIF.
. Married for 7 months
How did you integrate Mexican
culture into your wedding?
.A tradnionaJ Mexican wedding is
rich wnh history and customs, and
the food, music and rituals at our
wedding reflected that. A mariachi
played at the end of the wedding
ceremony. And Tarsicio wore a
dlarro sun that represents pride,
passion and respect for the hemage
and traditions of Mexico."