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WORLD CULTURES & FOLK CUSTOMS - 6 Argentina

SIMO JELACA, Ph.D.

FOREWORD

This book summarizes information about culture and customs of different nations. Noticeable differences in customs are among Christian, Islamic and Buddhist’s nations, although in all prevails intention for nice and greatest.

It will be too much to include every country, as there are similarities among many nations of the same or close nationalities. Characteristic are Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Belarus, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia, or as well as Germany and Austria. The similar conclusion values for Latin nations, among themselves too.

Readers will find basic information about each country, such as its location and size, population and Ethnic Make-up, Religion, Climate, Language, Etiquettes and others.

This book can equally be used for travelers, either as tourists or business people, therefore everyone will find necessary information about Etiquette of people at their homes as well as at the business.

My intention was to find as much good information as possible. How much I have succeeded readers will judge it.

Author

ARGENTINA CULTURE AND FOLK CUSTOMS

Facts and Statistics

Location

South America, borders with Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,224 km, Chile 5,150 km, Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 579 km.

Size: 2,766.890 sq km.

Capital: Buenos Aires population 2.9 million.

Population: about 40 million.

Ethnic Make-up: white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%,

Amerindian or other non white groups 3%.

Government: Republic

Language in Argentina

Although Argentina's official language is Spanish, Argentinian Spanish is different from the Spanish spoken in Spain. There are also many other languages spoken in Argentina, including Italian, German, English and French and Quechua.

Climate: mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest.

Europeans or Latin Americans

• Most Argentines are primarily of European descent, which separates them from other Latin American countries where European and Indian cultures are more mixed.

• Culturally and emotionally, Argentines often seem more European than Latin American.

Argentinian Family Values

• The family is the center of Argentine life with extended families still having prominence.

• The heads of powerful families command widespread respect, but with this come a responsibility to care for others in terms of security, jobs, etc and to maintain personal and family honor.

• Honor is in all respects the be all and end all and it routinely affects day-to-day life at home, in the community and in business.

Religion in Argentina

• The Argentine constitution guarantees religious freedom.

• Roman Catholicism acts as the official state religion.

• Other world religions, notably Islam, are gaining a foothold within the country during the last ten to fifteen years.

Expressive Communication Style

• Argentines are on the whole open, and direct, yet are able to remain tactful and diplomatic.

• Argentines are a warm people and their undeservedness brings to the fore their passion and sentimentality.

• In addition they are close communicators physically so will often touch each other when speaking and maintain little physical distance between speakers.

Meeting Etiquette

• Initial greetings are formal and follow a set protocol of greeting the eldest or most important person first.

• A standard handshake, with direct eye contact and a welcoming smile will suffice.

• Maintaining eye contact indicates interest.

• In general, Argentines prefer third-party introductions, so you should wait for your host or hostess to introduce you to others at a small gathering.

• When leaving, say good-bye to each person individually.

Gift Giving Etiquette

• If invited to dinner at an Argentine's home bring a small gift for the hostess.

• Since taxes on imported spirits are extremely high, a bottle of imported spirits is always well received.

• Do not give knives or scissors as they indicate a desire to sever the relationship.

• Gifts are opened immediately.

Dining Etiquette

• If you are invited to an Argentine home:

• Dress well. Men should wear a jacket and tie. Women should wear a dress or a skirt and blouse.

• Arrive 30 to 45 minutes later than invited for a dinner party. Arriving on time is not the norm.

• Telephone your hosts the following day to thank them.

Watch your Table Manners!

• Wait for the host or hostess to tell you where to sit. There may be a seating plan.

• Table manners are Continental - hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.

• Do not begin eating until the hostess invites you to do so.

• Always keep your hands visible when eating, but do not rest your elbows on the table.

• Wait for a toast to be made before taking the first sip of your drink.

• It is considered polite to leave a small amount of food on your plate when you have finished eating.

• When you have finished eating, place your knife and fork across your plate with the prongs facing down and the handles facing to the right.

• Pouring wine is beset with many rituals and cultural taboos. If at all possible, avoid pouring wine.

Business Etiquette, Customs and Protocol in Argentina

Relationships & Communication

• Argentina is a relationship-driven culture, so it is important to build networks and use them.

• Argentines maintain and use an intricate network of family and friends to call upon for help, favors or assistance.

• If a favor is done for you, you will eventually be called upon to repay it.

• Name-dropping and nepotism do not have the negative connotations as it has in the West and can be used to your advantage.

• Above all Argentines like to do business with people they know and trust.

• They prefer face-to-face meetings rather than by telephone or in writing, which are seen as impersonal.

• Once a relationship has developed, their loyalty will be to you rather than to the company you represent.

• Looking good in the eyes of others is important to Argentines. Therefore, they will judge you not only on what you say, but also on the way you present yourself.

• Avoid confrontation. Argentines do not like publicly admitting they are incorrect.

• It is imperative to show deference and respect to those in positions of authority. When dealing with people at the same level, communication can be more informal.

• Be alert for nuances and hidden meanings. It is a good idea to repeat details, as you understand them to confirm that you and your business colleagues are in agreement.

Business Meeting Etiquette

• Appointments are necessary and should be made 1 to 2 weeks in advance, preferably by e-mail or telephone.

• Avoid January and February, which are their vacation times; the middle weeks of July, which is when many go skiing; and during the two weeks before and after Christmas.

• You should arrive on time for meetings, although the person you are meeting may not be punctual.

• In some older, more bureaucratic organizations, the more important the person you are meeting, the longer they keep you waiting.

• Do not immediately begin discussing business. Small talk helps establish a rapport.

• The person you are meeting with may accept telephone calls and attend to other business while you are there.

• Have all printed material available in both English and Spanish.

• Decisions are not reached at meetings. Meetings are for discussion and to exchange ideas.

Business Negotiations

• Argentines expect to deal with people of similar status.

• Hierarchy is important. Decisions are made at the top of the company. Business moves slowly because it is extremely bureaucratic. Decisions often require several layers of approval.

• Argentines have a difficult time disagreeing, so do not think that things are going well simply because no one is challenging what you say.

What to Wear?

• Business attire is formal and conservative, yet stylish.

• Men should wear dark coloured, conservative business suits.

• Women should wear elegant business suits or dresses.

• Good quality accessories are important for both sexes.

• Dress well if you want to make a good impression.

Business Card Etiquette

• Business cards are given without formal ritual.

• Have one side of your business card translated into Spanish.

• Present your business card so the Spanish side faces the recipient.

Symbolism

Argentineans' cultural symbols are mostly the result of hybridization. Football and tango. The music, its lyrics, and the dance represent the profound transformation of the urban landscape at the beginning of the twentieth century, with the influx of diverse European immigrants.
Ethnic Relations

With the exception of some areas of the northwest, Argentina was not densely populated at the time of the Spanish conquest. Indians who maintained their autonomy until well into the nineteenth century were brought to near extinction by military campaigns in the 1880s.Afro-Argentines. less than 4,000 people in Buenos Aires claimed Afro-Argentine identity at the close of the twentieth century. Besides Latin American immigration, immigrants from Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia were also arriving in Argentina in the late twentieth century. Most of these immigrants are illegal and nobody knows their real numbers.

Urbanism and Architecture

Although most of the Argentine population is urban (87 percent), Argentina is still quite attached to its past rural glory as a grain and cattle exporter. Tourists to major cities are offered souvenirs identified with a rural way of life—such as gaucho attire, silver, alpaca knives, and horse stirrups.

Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires is the most important symbolic space.

The Casa Rosado (Pink House), facing Plaza de Mayo, is the seat of the executive branch of government.

Architecture in major cities reflects the influence of immigrants as well as Argentina's semi colonial relationship to some European nations.
Architecture in major cities reflects the influence of immigrants as well as Argentina's semi colonial relationship to some European nations.

Food in Daily Life

Argentines are very fond of beef and pastas. Most restaurants offer a wide assortment of meat dishes and pastas. Spanish and Italian cuisines inspire everyday cooking, while French-influenced cuisine is reserved for special occasions. Lunch is served from 12:30 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. It used to be the biggest meal of the day. Dinner is served from 9:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.

Basic Economy

Since the late nineteenth century, Argentina had been mainly food self-sufficient. With the elimination of trade barriers, some food producers are finding it very difficult to compete with the price of some imports, causing a crisis in the agricultural sector. The majority of the population is urban and there are very few individuals who produce food for self-consumption. Large agribusinesses are mainly in charge of food production. Argentina's gross domestic product (GDP) is US$338.2 billion and the per capita GDP is US$9,520.

Land Property

Most land is privately owned. All children have equal rights to inheritance from their parents irrespective of gender or majority. Agriculture and livestock continue to be important economic activities, even though only a small number of Argentines live in rural areas. Argentina produces grains (wheat, corn, barley) soybeans, sunflower seeds, lemons, grapes, tobacco, peanuts, tea, apples, and peaches.

Major Industries

Argentina specializes in food processing, tobacco products, textiles and garments, shoes and leather goods, paper products, construction materials, domestic appliances, printing, electronics, medical equipment, cars and utility vehicles, furniture, chemicals and petrochemicals, metallurgy, and steel.

Brazil is the most important business partner (31 percent exports; 23 percent imports). Other export partners are the United States, 8 percent; Chile, 7 percent; China, 3 percent; and Uruguay, 3 percent.

Classes and Castes

Until recently, Argentina had a very large middle class. Upper-class and lower-class sectors can generally trace their origins to more than five generations in the country. Originally the upper class was mainly formed by landowners of large estates.

The Argentine middle class was formed mainly by the descendants of immigrants who came to Argentina.

Labor by Gender

Although women are performing most roles, their access to some positions of power is limited. There are some professions in which women outnumber men such as architecture. Argentine law used to grant men special authority over the children (patria potestas). Current legislation states that parents share authority over their children. Children may not leave the country with one parent unless they have the written authorization of the other.

Marriage

Marriage is freely decided by men and women. Only minors (younger than age 18) need parental consent to marry. The government only recognizes civil marriage. The Catholic Church is very influential in Argentina and has strongly opposed divorce. The nuclear family is the most common household unit. Small families of one or two children are the norm.

Education

Depending on the socioeconomic condition of the parents, children might be raised by nannies and/or babysitters, maids, or child care providers in day care centers. Most public schools have one or two years of kindergarten.

Higher Education

There are 36 state (public) universities and 48 private universities. Public universities are free. Some of them have entrance exams. Higher education degrees are very desirable. Unfortunately, Argentine society cannot employ a great number of its university graduates.

Etiquette

Both men and women greet each other by kissing on the cheek. In very formal encounters men and women shake hands. People address each other with the colloquial form vos (singular "you).

Health Care

Modern medicine coexists with traditional medical beliefs. While some Argentines make use of a single medical system, others might use both for the same diseases, and still others might go to a doctor for some ailments and to a traditional healer for others.

The Arts

Artists get support from private foundations and national institutions. Argentina is internationally known for some of its writers. Jorge Luis Borges is probably the best known writer.Argentina has an international book fair, with an attendance of more than one million people.

There are numerous art galleries in the major cities of the country. There are sixty art galleries in Buenos Aires alone. Argentina has an opera house, the Teatro Colón, where world famous musicians and ballet companies perform.

It will be continued...

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