Learning the Social Customs of Argentina

Argentina is a South American country where the people are primarily of European descent, mainly Spanish and Italian. There is a very small minority of mixed and native people. The official language of this country is Spanish, but it is a distinct form of Spanish that resembles some aspects of Italian. Lots of people from other Latin American countries have a difficult time understanding Argentinian Spanish.

Argentina operates on a schedule similar to that of other southern European countries. Businesses will open early, close for a long break in the middle of the day, and then reopen for the evening.

In Argentinian society, the family is very important, and people are generally close to their extended families. People who take the role as the head of the family are well-respected, but in turn have a great deal of responsibilities to everyone else. Most people are Roman Catholic, but some Muslims have been moving to Argentina in the past few years.

In terms of greeting, you are expected to introduce yourself to the eldest or most respected person first and work your way to everyone else. The common gesture is a simple handshake and direct eye contact. Third party gatherings are also popular, so it is not a bad idea to wait for a host or hostess introduce you to everyone if you are at their house. When you depart, you should say bye to everyone individually.

People in Argentina are known to be direct and blunt, but still eloquent, when communicating. They are open and unreserved, and will welcome others. Do not be surprised if an Argentinian is comfortable with touching you while speaking, as this is customary.

If you are invited to an Argentinian home, you should bring something small for the hostess to be polite. It is considered classy to bring a bottle of foreign liquor, because there are high taxes on such imports. The only gift to avoid giving is scissors. You should dress well; men should wear a stylish shirt and tie, and women should wear a dress or skirt. People in Argentina are usually not punctual, so it is fine to show up 30-45 minutes late after being invited to an event or gathering.

For dinner, you should wait to be directed to a seat, and wait to be told to begin eating. You should not start drinking until the first toast has completed. When you finish eating, it is polite to leave a small amount of food on your plate.