This paper analyzes the 'piropo' in Spanish discourse as a speech event and as a cognitive metaphor. This form of indirect speech act represents a discourse tradition that is still present in today's discourse practices of Spanish-speaking cultures. These 'piropos' are seen as reflections in language of the traditional roles of men and women in such cultures. The roles of men and women as depicted in the analysis of 'piropos' show a very defined place for each sex in these societies. Women are constructed as passive recipients and reactive, men as active producers and initiators. (LLBA 2002, vol. 36, n. 2)