!Ask a Mexican!: The Muy Caliente Summer Edition

Dear Mexican,

Why do Mexicans swim in the ocean with their clothes on? I mean, denim?!

Vicente Fox's Mustache

I know this might be a seasonal question, but why do Mexicans like swimming in their clothes? Is it a Catholic thing? I remember as a child growing up in the San Fernando Valley that my pocho Catholic cousin even bathed at home in his T-shirt and underwear through his adolescence. He claims the nuns told him it was a sin to be naked.

HB Baboso

I am half-Mexican myself but just don't understand—why do Mexicans wear their clothes when swimming? They are the only people at a beach or public swimming spot who do it. Very bizarre—please explain!

Half-Mexican

Dear Pochos,

This is by far the most-asked question in ¡Ask a Mexican! history. So, to todos ustedes,I have my own question: Are you all brown chubby chasers? Like gabachos,an alarming number of Mexicans are out of shape. According to a 2003 study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, 24 percent of Mexico's population is overweight. That's the second-highest obesity rate in the world following—wait for it—¡los Estados Unidos!Unlike gabachos,Mexicans respect the public when it comes to flashing our flabby chichis, pompisand cervezaguts—so when we're out near the pool or by the beach, we cover up. It ain't Catholicism, machismo or an homage to our swim across the Rio Grande. It's good manners.

Got a spicy question about Mexicans? Ask the Mexican at garellano@ocweekly.com. And those of you who do submit questions: include a hilarious pseudonym,por favor, or we'll make one up for you!