I do what it takes to fit in, in fact I know sport a small goatee in addition to keeping my hair cropped. With my improved Spanish it must be making a difference because I had the guachi at El Nacional comment that my motorcycle was a lot like a gringo who frequents the supermarket. I then told the guy I was one and the same gringo. He was so embarrassed the poor fellow. He went on and on about how gringos are good people and I ever needed anything that all I had to do was ask. If he was white he would have been red as a beet.
Also, whenever I'm stopped by the police or amet they many times call me "commandante" and last week I went to the apartments about my house to complain about the loud music and therefore asked for the "gerente" and the guachi called me "licenciado". Not only that the gerente had the tentant turn his radio off for me lickety split, how's that for service?
pretty impressive! looks go along way... fortunately, and unfortunately.