LivingInPatagonia.com

Top 10 Not-So-Obvious Cultural Differences in Argentina

Written by Jamie

Prior to moving to Argentina in 2005, we had visited the country four times. Even though we had spent some quality time here, we knew that uncharted waters were ahead.

Kissing on the cheek instead of the hand shake, people gathering around to drink mate instead of coffee; these were obvious differences.

It wasn’t until after we had lived here awhile that we noticed other, less apparent differences.  

Below, I have listed our top 10 inconspicuous, culturally different ways of doing things here in Argentina (they are in no particular order).

(Please bear in mind this applies to our experiences living in Mendoza and now Rio Negro province. Things might very well be done differently in Buenos Aires and other parts of this vast country.) 

1. People clap outside of a house to announce themselves, instead of knocking on the door.
2. When passing a person while riding a bike you say chau not hola.
3. It is considered afternoon (tarde) until 7 or 8pm, literally.
4. The banks charges you to make a deposit into your account.
5. You can make payments (cuotas) on almost anything you purchase using a credit/debt card; ie grocerys, gas, a package of gum.
6. Daylight savings time happens some years, but not others.
7. A car for sale is indicated by a plastic jug on top of the car, not the common For Sale sign.
8. Instead of writing checks to pay for bills you pay for them in person, usually at the grocery store (and there is no other option). 
9. Everyone swears, even the cute, little old lady that is a devout Catholic.
10. There is no such thing as being politically correct; if you are chubby your nickname is Gordo (fat), if ugly – feo, if skinny – flaco, if dark skinned – negro.  People say it how it is.  Don’t take anything personal.

These cultural differences have made our experience of living in a new land funny, interesting and, at times, frustrating but it’s also part of the reason that living in a foreign land is so good for me.  I really feel that my time here has broadened my horizons. 

Thanks to Argentina I have realized a For Sale sign in a car window is silly… a jug on top of the car is much easier to see from far away.