Sofia Vergara, the Colombian-born star of the U.S. comedy series "Modern Family," says dancing is one of the things that set Latin men apart from American guys.

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Vergara said dancing is instilled in boys south of the U.S. border, which gives them a head start when it comes to dealing with the opposite sex.

"One of the things I like about my boyfriend [Nick Loeb] is that he tries," Vergara told Parade magazine. "He'll go out there with me and do his moves. He is not the best dancer, but he is not afraid, and that is very charming."

Vergara, 39, said Latin moms show their sons the basics at an early age, a tradition she carried on with her son Manolo, who is now 19. "Now he's a great dancer," she said. "I know that he secretly thanks me for that because he's the only one that has the girls dancing at all the parties."

It's not entirely a selfless act. Vergara said "Spanish dancing" is great exercise and has helped keep her in hourglass shape. "I grew up in Colombia where working out wasn't part of the culture," she said. "Anyway, I've never been very good with working out because I have very bad knees."