I think relating to the opposite sex has been the most interesting cultural issue I've had to deal with.  At first it was easy to talk to Spanish boys, but that was only because I didn't understand what was going on and assumed it was just the same as at home.  Eventually I realized that things weren't really turning out that well, obviously I was missing out on something.  So I asked some people from here about how relations and friendships work and read some articles about it.  It became easier to understand how here people find it harder to ignore someone's gender and that it is more uncommon to meet someone of the opposite sex and become fast friends without them thinking it was something more.  Now it is harder because I understand the intricacies but the results are better and I can explain myself more effectively.  As for the long term, I don't think this will have much effect on me in the future since when I go home it will be the same attitudes and values that I left.  Overall, it will help me on future travels to Latin countries which of them have similar values and ideas about relations between sexes.