Job Discussion Forums

[rrooseve]

I'm going to Buenos Aires or Santiago to teach in the next month or two, and I was curious about the people in Argentina or even South America in general.

Two years ago I spent a year studying in Germany, and at first I found the Germans to be too straightforward (as most people do). They said what they meant and meant what they said. After a while I grew to like it because there was no room for guessing. It was pretty much that their word was creed. And they went to great lengths to make sure what they said was done. Example, I met some girls, and they invited me to a concert that was going to happen in a couple days. I accepted; however, when we parted, we forgot to exchange information. Two days later I get a call from them wondering if I still wanted to go. They actually took the time to look me up, which I was astounded by. Very rarely do I think that that would happen in the US. Anyways, when I came back home after Germany, I became so annoyed with everyone b/c I realized why the Germans call Americans "oberflaechlich" (superficial). People invite people to parties when they very well know that they don't want those people to come. And on the other side, the invited people say that they'll be there when they already know that it's not going to happen. "I'll call you back tomorrow." No call back. Things like this. Do we do it out of politeness??? Or just b/c we haven't fulfilled our daily quota of the phrase "I forgot."

Anyways, how is it down there? I realize that it could vary from urban to rural area (although not from what I experienced in Germany). In general, what's the culture like concerning that?

[vivaBarca]

Funny that you mention this...this was actually one of the things I found most disturbing about Argentina. Take the example of Americans you just conveyed, shift that to its extreme end, opposite the Germans, and then you have Argentina.

Let me give you an example. On the last day of one of my classes, two of my students - both who probably had the best attendance and who I probably had the closest relationships with of any other students - invited me out the following week to an after-office bartime at Opera Bay. They took my number to stay in touch, and with gusto, mind you. Fast-forward to Wednesday afternoon. I still haven't heard a word from either of the students, even though this afteroffice shindig starts later in the day. As I'm leaving town in a half a week, I really thought they were interested in doing this thing. After all, they took my number and made the suggestion in the first place. I contact the English institute I'm working for, get the company's number, and finally track one of them down. The conversation goes something like this:

"Hey, so are we going to Opera Bay tonight?"
"No, it's raining outside." (It was drizzling. And despite its maritime-sounding name, "Opera Bay" is inside. But this is besides the point).

Well...thanks for letting me know!

Another time, when I was in Cordoba, a woman who saw my teaching advertisement tacked up throughout the city called me and practically begged for lessons. She said she was serious, and wanted a crash course of 5 lessons a week for a month. I say no problem, so we make plans to have an orientation session at the local mall. I get there on time, and she's not there. No big deal. I wait 20 minutes...still not there, so I text her. 45 minutes, and I call. Doesn't pick up. I never, ever, hear from this mystery woman again. Of course this transpired just days after Bush's visit to Mar del Plata, so maybe this was some lame attempt at getting back at the Yanqui Man...but I think that'd be giving her too much credit.

Boy, if I had a peso for everytime I was told someone would be in touch, or they'd call back, or we'd do this or that, "por supuesto," I'd be living in a penthouse in Puerto Madero. I find this type of behavior fairly annoying in the U.S., but if you hang around in certain groups you can see this type of superficiality minimized to a bearable level. In Argentina I found it a systemic, intractable problem. I've never seen flakiness on such a grand scale.

Lest I get attacked for being "culturally insensitive," let me point out that, obviously, I'm well aware each country has it's own social norms, and I respect that. But I'm still allowed to dislike them.

[matttheboy]

What he said. Times 1000.

[sheena maclean]

Bloody Hell I couldn't agree with you both more!!! got used to it in the end tho it is still frustrating!!!

[Stevie-G]

Wow! You guys hit the nail on the head!

To start with my father is from Argentina and came to the US before I was born. I grew up in the states and had been to Argentina every other Christmass as a kid.

When I decided to move here my father warned me about some of the "Argentine ways". I kind of took this with a grain of salt due to the fact he hadn't been back in ten years, and I had spent time here.


I have had a couple of experiences:

I am good friends with a girl and her family. I have known them for about five years. In November, when I first moved here, I went by her house. Her father was very excited that I was moving to town and demanded I come over that friday for a BBQ. Friday came, I arrived promptly at 10 PM. He and his wife were all dressed up. I thought this odd for a BBQ. We sat around for a while and talked, his daughter and some friends showed up. The daughter (my friend) explained her parents had to go to a dinner party and we would get some pizza at a bar then go to the disco. She and her family acted like this was normal. I did not want to appear upset and went with the flow. I had not eaten since 11 AM holding out for the asado I thought I was getting!!

A second experience involves my cousin. Three years ago I was here for three weeks in December. Being very "American" I like to make firm plans. My cousin took me out to a big disco he worked part time at. He proceded to get me plastered (he didn't have to twist my arm to hard). We got back to his house around 0900 in the morning. It felt like as soon as my head hit the pillow I was jilted from my sleep. My cousin told me his friends were throwing me a BBQ (if you have never been to Argentina you would think a strange BBQ pattern was occurring, it's not) for lunch. My cousin is known to play strange jokes, so after some swearing I rolled over to sleep off my misery. He returned an hour later very upset and stated that people were getting upset. I got up and looked in the yard and sure enough observed a large lunch gathering. I showered put on a brave face and stuck it out. Later I asked my cousin what the deal was. He stated he had "forgot" and that they had been planning it all week. The strange thing was I usually stayed with my aunt and she lives thirty minutes away!

Looking back as a kid I recall my father dropping in on friends at the spur of the moment. This would drive my mother nuts. I don't think Argentinos try to be flakey or mean spirited. I think they just live by the seat of their pants. The most important thing is not to take people to seriously. If I meet someone and they act very excited and make plans I tell myself "I'll believe it when I see it".

Steve

[Thailandneil]

Yeah, what he said. Abolutely true