In Argentina, as in most foreign countries, children often live with their parents until well into their 20s. This situation is very cost-effective, but when it comes to dating, it can present more than a few problems to young lovers. After a sultry evening at the clubs, it is less than seductive to bring your date back home to share a spot on the couch with your parents, who are inevitably watching Love Actually or some other foppish British love fest.

And to this end, the outskirts of Buenos Aires are teeming with little motels like “Hotel Kiss Me!” and “Deseos Hotel,” rings of neon fire encircling their signs. As I gawked at them on the highway, my friend explained: “Those are hotels where you can go for 2 hours and … ” he trailed off, and then continued: “because many young people in Buenos Aires still live at home with their families.” Sounds like a time when a name like “Creeper Cabana!” and “Pimp Palace!” would be fitting.

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