Catalonians tend to be skinny and in shape. I read that about a third of Americans are considered obese; that is, have a Body Mass Index greater than 30. For the Spanish, it's little more than a tenth.

Maybe Barcelonans look good because so many of them smoke. Maybe they're not really in shape.

Mexican people are modest. They are rarely, if ever, seen in public partly undressed. Not here.

Showing skin is good. Underwear is meant to be seen.

Hair should be colored, and any color is OK, for both men and women.

Convention is nothing; your statement is what counts.

The dog walker on the left is abusing his pet, strangling it with its leash which, you'll note, is attached to the animal's collar, not its harness.

The French Bulldog on the right is abusing its owner. It's chewing on a plastic water bottle and its human can damn well just wait there until it's done.

Not every Barcelonan is slim. Jean and I were sitting on a bench eating our lunches when this old guy sat next to us, hocked a big loogie at our feet and lit up.

We moved to another bench. He fell asleep holding his cigarette. I hope he doesn't smoke in bed.

Here's a crowd attracted by the window display of a candy and pastry maker.

They don't look like typical Catalonians.

Mannequins reflect society's appearance ideals.

In Barcelona, they are: be skinny, color your hair, show some skin and above all, make a statement.