Argentina and its People

Insights into the lives of the Argentines

Argentines are known for their involvement in politics. To some extent, this is enforced by law which mandates voting for all citizens of Argentina above the age of 18. However, locals exercise political involvement far outside of what is required by law. If the walls of American universities are covered with flyers advertising events, sororities, clubs and workshops, those of Argentinian higher education institutions are strewn with political propaganda. Youngsters are often members of political parties and they use the university setting to spread their beliefs. Protests against the government and political system are also common. In Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, they typically take place at Plaza de Mayo, a central square which also houses the presidential office known as Casa Rosada. One of the most famous (yet nonviolent) protests is the gathering of “the grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo” who reconvene to keep alive the memory of hundreds of children kidnapped from their biological parents and raised by the supporters of the last Argentinian dictatorial rule (1976-1983). One of their missions is to help these children, now adults, to find their biological families. Another common reason for protests in Argentina is abortion. For decades, women have been demanding their basic rights, which continue to be denied by the state authorities.

Other than politics, every Argentine seems to be involved in soccer, or fútbol, as they call it. The two main rivals in Buenos Aires are Boca (where famous players such as Messi and Maradona used to train), and Club Atlético River Plate. Porteños, as people of the capital are known, identify themselves with one or the other. Neither, is not an option – you have to be a fan of one. In fact, there are expressions in porteño Spanish such as “Soy de Boca” or “Soy de River” intended solely to express affiliation with a soccer team! If you choose to watch a game of Argentinian soccer, be careful: fireworks, firecrackers and all sorts of rampant violence have injured or even killed several spectators.

Not only in politics and soccer, Argentines are sociable and outgoing in their free time as well. Parties in Argentina start (and end) very late. First of all, dinner is never served before 9.30 or 10 PM. After that, the youth would normally gather at somebody’s home for a round of pre-drinking before heading out to the clubs no earlier than 2 or 3 AM. Amazingly, they stay out until early morning when they continue with their coffee & facturas routine and head to work or university right after that!

Young people usually go out with their friends, boyfriends and girlfriends. A curious Argentinian invention related to dating is the so-called “telo”. Most youngsters live with their families, so they typically cannot bring their partners home. Instead, couples head to “telos”, a kind of hotels which provide privacy for lovers. They range in quality and price and are rented out on a per-hour basis. Students may opt for the cheaper ones while the richer go for the most luxurious ones. “Telos” are by no means reserved only for students living in their parents’ house!

Argentines are very open to foreigners and just a handful of Spanish words and a genuine intention for interaction will open many doors to a tourist. While Argentina has plenty to offer in terms of its charismatic people, delicious food, fascinating landscape and rich cultural traditions, there are a few stereotypes that one should not fall for. For example, most Argentines barely know how to dance tango yet it is one of the most defining aspects of Argentinian culture in the West. If a restaurant is trying to attract you with a couple dancing tango in a professional dress in front of the entrance, avoid it – it is very likely overpriced and aimed at tourists. Few foreigners know that the level of a tango dancer is best judged by the quality of his or her shoes. Professionals wear high quality footwear sold in specialized shops.

If there is one thing the Argentines are well aware of when it comes to travelling in their homeland, it has to be that distances between different cities and provinces are huge, so a high level of comfort on public transportation is essential. Bus companies provide extraordinarily comfortable long-distance double-decker buses, which are beyond comparison with sturdy interior of European or North American buses. The seats recline to almost 180 degrees, there is extra support for the legs and the seats are so wide that there are only three in a row rather than the usual four. Hot meals are served on board and toilets are available. This way, even an 18-hour journey from Buenos Aires to Cataratas de Iguazú was a pleasant one for me. But to travel in such comfort, be sure to book a “cama” (lit. bed) bus.

While Argentines are not particularly popular among other Latin American nations, who scold them for appearing too westernized, my experience in Argentina was an extremely pleasant one. People were welcoming, curious about where I came from and what I was doing in Buenos Aires, and helpful whenever I needed help on the street. Staying with a local family, enjoying meals with them, and chatting about life bestowed some of the Argentinian passion upon me too!