Playa del Carmen, Mexico—In a move that has left both locals and expats scratching their heads, Ft. Worth native Joe Cain sparked a heated debate at Dirty Martini Lounge after boldly declaring that Carmex lip balm is the “best Mexican import,” outranking tequila, tacos, and even mariachi music.
Witnesses at the bar say the controversial statement came after Joe applied his beloved Carmex in between sips of his signature dirty martini. “I don’t know what came over me,” Joe admitted in an interview. “I was just looking around the bar, seeing people with their margaritas and salsa, and thought to myself—none of that matters if your lips are cracked. Carmex is the real MVP.”
The Fallout
The reaction was swift and divided. “I thought he was joking at first,” said Carlos Ortiz, a local regular. “But then he doubled down. He actually said, ‘I’d take a jar of Carmex over a bottle of Don Julio any day.’ That’s when the bar erupted.”
Some patrons laughed off Joe’s comment as the ramblings of a lightweight drinker. Others took it as a personal insult. “He’s half-Mexican, for crying out loud!” said one exasperated bar-goer. “How does he not know that tequila is sacred?”
Even the bartenders joined the debate, jokingly offering Joe a “Carmex Margarita” as a peace offering. “It’s not a bad idea,” Joe later said, completely serious. “We could rim the glass with it.”
A Viral Moment
As the argument reached its peak, someone filmed Joe passionately defending his claim, shouting, “Without Carmex, half the tourists in Playa would have sunburned lips. I’m just stating facts!” The video has since gone viral on TikTok, with the hashtag #CarmexKing racking up thousands of views.
Opinions in the comments are just as polarized. “This man gets it—hydration over everything,” wrote one supporter. Meanwhile, a detractor fired back, “He’s the reason tequila has trust issues.”
The Aftermath
In the days following the incident, Joe has leaned into the controversy. Friends say he now carries multiple jars of Carmex to bars and has been trying to pair it with various drinks to “prove his point.”
When asked if he regrets his statement, Joe shrugged. “Look, tequila is great, but it’s predictable. Carmex is versatile, reliable, and always there when you need it. That’s what a real import should be.”
As for the locals, some have embraced the absurdity. Dirty Martini Lounge has reportedly added a new drink to their menu: the “Carmex Colada,” described as “refreshing, hydrating, and slightly unnecessary.”
Whether Joe’s statement goes down in history or gets lost in Playa’s wild nightlife lore, one thing is certain: his lips will never be dry.
