I always thought "gringo" was a specific reference to americans (or perhaps to white-skinned people. somehow i always assumed "gringo" actually meant white-skin ~ how *does it translate?). is it used for *all non-mexican nationals? would, say, italian folks visiting Cabo would be referred to by the locals as gringos?

and FWIW, in my experience "gringo" is generally only mildly--and usually in jest--pejorative

oh, and welcome back, hyla... we've missed you, too!