Buenos Aires Culture

Mate

Mate is Argentina. They drink it everyday. The following are some of mate's major influences on Buenos Aires culture:

  • It's a social tool. Pass the mate around, and talk.
  • Mate's styles shows your different personalities. Pick one that fits you, and show it off.
  • A reason to get together.
  • A big part of their economy.

Dancing

Just like most Latin America countries, dancing is an integral part of Buenos Aires culture, usually much more so than United States culture.

  • Tango professionals perform daily outside of La Boca, an inner city neighborhood.
  • Tango may have originated in Buenos Aires.
  • Dance presentations are regularly done as big festivals at elementary school.
  • "Buliches", or night clubs, are found all over Buenos Aires, and attracts the younger crowd. Not great places to go.

House Clapping

Because of security reason, many residences are surrounded by metal fences. Therefore, it is common to clap outside of one's house, which means the same thing as knocking. Here are instructions to clap the "right way".

  • Place the heel of one hand inside the other where the fingers start.
  • The hand that receives the palm of the other should be at a 90 degree angle around the heel.
  • Initiate the clap while the receiving hand is 90 degrees turned, clapping right into the heel of the other.

Christmas

Christmas in Argentina is special. Since Argentina is located in the southern hemisphere, Christmas happens during the middle of the summer. The following are some great Christmas traditions.

  • Mass production and consumption of pan dulce (fruit cake).
  • At midnight, several people set off fireworks. The scene is marvelous, making the sky usually bright, loud, and colorful.
  • Instead of Santa Claus bringing presents, they have the 3 wiseman bring gifts. This happens usually a few weeks after Christmas.

Specialty Foods

Among the wonderful food that Argentina offers, there are some specialty items that are especially Argentine.

  • Alfajores: The delicious cookie/cupcake like dessert that's pictured above. There are sold at almost every corner store. They can be homemade, sold in bakeries, or commercialized.
  • Facturas: The Argentine equivalent of danish. They come in several shapes with different fillings, and are sold usually at bakeries.
  • Dulce De Leche: Basically mixed sugar and milk, is a staple in cakes, pastries, and an accompanying sweet with crackers and mate.

Cleaning

Argentina uses a variety of distinct cleaning techniques, created for cement environments often found in South American cities.

  • Mopping the front walkway: In order to clean the sidewalk that connect to the front door, a solution of water and bleach is usually poured out on the cement. Then, it is dispersed by either a bathroom "squeegie", or a broom. Water and a broom!
  • The Bidet (Butt cleaning machine): After using the restroom, most bathroom have a bidet right next to it. Using it makes sense: when we are dirty, instead of wiping ourselves down with wipes to clean ourselves, we wash ourselves with water. The same applies for the bathroom!

Soccer

Soccer is big in Argentina. It's basically what the male population does from ages 3-99. From becoming World Cup finalists, to providing arguably the world's best player in Lionel Messi, Argentina isn't Argentina without soccer.

  • First Division Soccer: This is Argentina's top league, and has 30 teams. Whenever you meet someone new, they often as you, "Which team do you root for?"
  • River vs. Boca (pictured above): This is their biggest rivalry, and both teams have the city in an uproar. When one wins, you'll see fireworks, and hear celebrations long into the night.
  • Canchitas: These are frequently found all over Argentina, and are where most leagues are held. They aren't a full size field, but they use a regulation ball, and teach great handling skills.

Night Life

Like most Latin American cultures, Argentina tends to stay active long into the night. Whether it be a family trip to the playground, a night club, a birthday party, or simply dinner at 10:00pm (which is done regularly), Argentina is nocturnal.

  • Plazas great spots to bring the family even until a couple hours after sundown.
  • The Quinceanera: The 15th birthday party for girls, usually goes until 7:00am of the following morning.
  • Late Dinner: In Argentina, one usually eats a big lunch around 1:00pm, and then snacks around until night time. The Argentina dinner happens between 8:00pm and 12:00pm, depending on the family, and is usually lighter than lunch.