I've been in Argentina for 3 months now - and I'm starting to get really sick of it. Nothing works, and whenever you agree upon something with someone, it's sure not going to happen. The usual answer to any question seems to be "yes, we'll do it", but this "yes" means basically "no - but I'm not even gonna bother your with telling you". I know there's cultural differences, I know you should adapt to the locals, but this attitude is really starting to p*** me off cause I find it quite rude ...
You mean when you agree to meet someone at 8 and they show up at 10. Well, That is a cultural difference, puntuality when is for an informal meeting is horrible. Rudeness is another one, suck it up. When you agree upon something with someone you basically have to stalk that person, call him every 10 minutes to make sure it happens. We live like that, most of us dont like it, and try to change, sorry. And nothing works, you are right.
And about mayor capitals, if you are staying for a long while you have to be in a mayor capital, because its where everything is. But make sure you visit the rest of the country, its just beautiful.
Rita, It would be correct to avoid generalizing, not all argentinians are chaotic, but those who are very disorganized p*** you off a lot. In general we are a little chaotic, but you have to understand that we are a country with a lot of issues like any third world country and we have way less certainty than most first world countries. We are chaotic because we are used to having to deal with uncertainty and making the best out of a bad situation, but as you can see its also very stressing. Imagine that what you had to deal with in 3 months we have to deal with all our life.
You have to be a tough and resourceful person to coup with it
On my first visit in March this year i read the following words on the shopfront in Palermo:
'Dream like you will live forever and live like you`ll die tomorrow'
Argentina is incredible and the Argentines the most incredible humans on this planet. I fell in love with the country and its people- a truly beautiful place.
Argentina is an amazing country and Argentinians are amazing people.Been there twice, cannot wait to go again. As a South African I can identify with many of the challenges they have,as we have similar problems. What I liked most is the love of life and the passion with which Argentinians live it.
listen you Argentinian lovers I live here as an expat and you are the most dishonest, disorganised, arrogant people I have met in my life. Portenos think of people as money and are the biggest chamuyeros there are. Image is eveything for these ridiculuos caricatures . Overblown stars like Susana Giminez, Moria Casan and Mirtha Legrand are role models.
To get a porteno to smile is a hard feat.
Shawn have you left Recoleta or Palermo dude because half of Buenos Aires aint white as you say . They will not admit it but indian blood couses through their veins .
And why Portenos are you so in love with Tranvestites ? I have never seen a society so addicted to tranvestites and culos like these . You are mostly latent homosexuals who cannot accept themselves.
Argentina is not just buenos aires.Visit entre rios,La patagonia,mendoza,cordoba,misiones,santa fe,san luis,La pampa and you will see the real argentina.
Buenos aires is full of inmigrants from bolivia,peru,paraguay etc And please dont watch those cheap programs.
I think we have good and bad things like everyone else. I lived in England for 8 months and I discovered English people are not as polite as they appear to be but still I had a good time and made the most of my trip. You have to approach the other as an individual not as a member of a society of which you have a stereotype. I'm an Argentinian and I don't think that I am rude, or at least I try not to be. I think you're the one missing out if you don't try to connect with the local culture because there are good things in our culture as I am sure that there are in yours.
Good luck
This is in response to GALYTA: I bet you are from CHILE, am I right?
Man, there are some very envious people in this world. One thing Argentina has and continues to be known is precisely for their cultivated people. Get it? Cultured people! Otherwise, they would not have such a special love for music (all kinds), works of art (reflected everywhere in the country), books and bookstores, discussions about any and all subjects, literary works, etc. etc. So GALYTA, perhaps you may want to visit before you voice such an ignorant opinion.
