‘ Mami , you’re so hot!: negotiating hierarchies of masculinity through piropos in contemporary Havana

The article analyses the practice of piropos – catcalling,compliments, comments – in Havana street interaction. Whilepiropos are often approached as a form of heterosexual eroticinterplay, this article argues for an understanding of this practiceas a way to negotiate hierarchies of masculinity. The argument isdeveloped through a comprehensive analysis of the emic distinctionof piropos into two categories, piropos bonitos and groseros,that is, beautiful compliments on the one hand, and on the other,rude or offensive comments. Taken together, these different kindsof comments shed light on the role of piropos as part of malehomosocial communication to perform masculinity in relation toother men. Furthermore, the article follows up on the distinction ofpiropos into two categories to explore the classed and racializedconnotations of grosería or rudeness in street interaction.