Getting to know the argentines

From the very beginning, the port made Buenos Aires the entrance door for the rest of the country for new immigrants, culture, commercial goods and everything else that a city could need to grow and become a social nucleus.

The “latest” arrived first to Buenos Aires and later to the rest of the country. With this advantage, the “porteño” was always obsessed with everything that was fashionable or innovative in Europe, be it a political thought or art trend, books, discoveries and clothing.

Today, with more than twelve million inhabitants, the Buenos Aires metropolitan area is one of the ten biggest cities in the world and home to a third of Argentina's population. It is the country social, cultural, economical and political hub. If we add to this the different groups of immigrants that have arrived during the last hundred years, we will understand the mixture of races and idiosyncrasies that tempered national character. While Spaniards and Italians were preponderant, French, Portuguese, Germans, Irish, Russians, Poles and Arabs also made their contributions. Hence the popular saying that a “porteño” is an Italian who speaks Spanish, dresses like a Frenchman and think he has English manners. Even so, he is undeniably Latin in his customs, traditions and values. It is said that the variety of stimuli to which he has had access, has made him different from the rest of Latin Americans. His habit of always looking abroad makes him criticised for his lack of a sense of national cohesion. His mother tongue is Spanish to which foreign expressions have been added, giving him a unique accent that makes people say he speaks “argentine”. “Porteños” are considered sophisticated, glamorous and cultured, while those of the hinterland are more realistic and tradition oriented. The friction between the metropolis and the hinterland regarding who has control of the country's destiny has been present since the country's creation. These problems persist and contribute to the “porteño” personality.

Argentines believe they should be frank, open and direct, but they are proud of being tactful and diplomatic. When writing and talking they can be indirect, elaborate and flattering. For them it is important not to offend. When they deal with language in this manner they are not trying to be confusing, but amiable and tactful. Information that appears banal is subject to funny discussions. Don't try looking up the facts because argentines are proud of having the latest and most precise information. Argentines are warm and effusive and rarely try to hide their passions or feelings. They tend to touch each other while talking and people talk to each other from very close up. In their great desire to be amiable, they flatter even when the subject under discussion is insignificant. This does not bespeak insincerity and it would be a big mistake to think it does.

The family is still the centre of life in Argentina, commanding the greatest loyalty from individuals. Children are welcomed with glee and are taken along to social gatherings. Most young people live with their parents until they marry. They continue to live at home while they study at university. Children usually grow up surrounded by their cousins and best friends and these relationships tend to continue into adulthood. For this reason if you are invited to the home of some argentine do not be surprised. It is a national custom. Being welcomed into a home can be taken as a show of friendship, acceptation or esteem. It is a good idea to take a small courtesy gift when you go. If you are going to dinner, take a good wine for the table, flowers for the hostess or chocolates.

Buenos Aires is an international city that is receiving ever more business people from all over the world.

Visitors are received with cordiality and acceptance. Argentines are ambitious and well educated. They accept the free market but they do not go in for winning at all costs. Although they are fun lovers and prefer to do business in a relaxed and friendly fashion, Argentines have a reputation of being hard workers. Although they are very argumentative, they avoid open conflict and direct opposition to viewpoints, especially those of their superiors.

Porteños like to be in fashion and take great care of their appearance. The upper and upper middle classes dress like their European counterparts. Adolescents prefer American style. Women dress formally at work. At night they like to be elegant and sexy; they like tight clothing that other cultures may consider as very provocative.