I think perhaps it's a business perspective
[QUOTE=Habeed]Translating: so you got to smoke a joint of reefer and got a blowjob for about $15 USD. And you did it within all within sight of the police station. That's outrageous!
Although, if the country's so lawless, how could it be safe at all for foreign tourists? Do the policia at least make a half assed effort to stop kidnappings and murders?[/QUOTE]Depends on whether you mean kidnappings and murders of locals or tourists.
The tourist districts are rather safe, I've personally wandered around microcentro at 3 am with nothing happen at all, and plenty of tourists wandering around.
I suppose you have to differentiate between what's permissible and what's poking the proverbial bear with a stick.
I suppose in some places that are completely unreasonable about certain things, this would seem way out there on the lawless side. Apparently a joint here is rather common, in so many cities I've been to, as I walked down the street I caught a huge waft of marijuana smoke from some person (most of the time it's middle aged guys 40-50) weird but oh well.
While that seems like it's not a big deal here, I take it you can't plant yourself down in a plaza and shoot up some heroin.
Besides, I get the all too familiar feeling that people would rather "nicely" con you rather than strong arm you and scare you off forever.
As in with any place, don't be a dumbass (mind you, I for one would NOT recommend the smoking of pot and getting a bj in front of a police station) and you'll be fine.
Xyc