Argentina Rules & Etiquette

Rules & Etiquette

The official language is Spanish. The regional dialect, Rioplatense Spanish, is subtly different from both the language of Spain and that of Central America; most notably, the pronoun "tu" is replaced by "vos" (with seperate verb conjugations, sometimes significantly different for irregular verbs); "y" and "ll" are pronounced ranging from an English "sh" (in Buenos Aires and Patagonia) through a soft "zh" sound, to a sound like English "j" in Cuyo. The interjection "che" is extremely common, and means approximately the same as English "hey!" or "well..." The Argentine accent evinces heavy Italian influence from the large influx of Italian immigrants. Hand gestures derived from Italian are extremely common, and many slang expressions are borrowed from Italian. Most locals can readily understand most Spanish dialects, and Portugese or Italian if spoken slowly. English is common as a second language and is usually understood on at least a basic level in tourist-oriented places. German and French can be understood and to some extent spoken by small fractions of the population. A few places in Patagonia near Rawson have native Welsh speakers. Visitors who speak Spanish should be aware that many words and expressions which are considered obscene or insulting in other Spanish-speaking places are considered a normal part of everyday speech in Argentina. For instance, it is common to refer to one's friends as boludo ("big balls") or hijo de puta ("son of a whore") in Argentina, expressions that would be considered extremely rude in many other Spanish-speaking places. The concept of political correctness does not exist in Argentina. Fat people are unapologetically addressed as "gordo", blacks as "negro", people who appear to be of American Indian descent as "Peruviano" or "Boliviano" (regardless of their actual ancestry), etc. Visitors should be aware that this sort of blunt address is considered normal in Argentina, and no insult is implied. Time Argentinians generally take a very relaxed attitude towards time. This can be unsettling to visitors from North America and non-Latin parts of Europe where puncutality is highly valued. You should expect that your Argentine contacts will be at least 10 to 15 minutes late for any appointment, even to a business meeting. Tardiness of 30 to 45 minutes is not unusual. This is considered normal in Argentina and does not signify any lack of respect for the relationship. This attitude extends to any scheduled activity in Argentina. Plays, concerts, and long distance buses usually get going around half an hour after their scheduled times (though you should be there early anyway, in case your bus is the one bus that does leave on time that day.) Short-distance public transportation like city buses and the subway do not even bother with time estimates; they arrive when they arrive. Factor these elements into your calculations of how long things will take. Respect The 2001 peso crisis has left many Argentines bitter towards some authorities and institutions. While many shops will appreciate payment in US dollars or Euros and even offer you a better exchange rate than the banks, try to blend in elsewhere. Keep a supply of pesos on hand for those businesses that do not accept dollars. Traffic is nowhere near some Asian or European cities, but driving is still extremely competitive compared to North American cities or to the more sedate areas of Europe. Do not jaywalk if you do not feel comfortable, and always keep your eyes about you when crossing the street. Dogs are popular in Buenos Aires, but not dog curbing - watch your step. Swearing is very common in most parts of Argentina, and not seen as rude or insulting, so don't be offended if someone calls you a "boludo". Even though it's a swear word, to Argentines is means "pal", or "mate".