Today, Nic and I have officially been in Buenos Aires for 6 weeks and this has been enough to learn a few things about Argentina and its culture. It has been an interesting experience to learn more about the culture because I find myself comparing things to Colombia often. I become confused or thrown off when things are not the same. However, I've compiled a list of things that stand out to me about Argentina and Buenos Aires to be more exact which I find different and/or amusing:
- Restaurants are always tricky here. If you're not a patient person, don't ever go to a restaurant in Buenos Aires. You walk in and you have to find your own table (no hosts), then you sit there for about 10 to 15 minutes before anyone from the restaurant acknowledges your existence. Most restaurants sell the same exact things: Ravioli, gnocchi, milanesas [breaded meat or chicken], pizza, empanadas [often baked... Colombian ones are fried], medialunas [croissants], wine, Quilmes 1lt. beer, and Coke products. Therefore, bringing la carta (menu) to a table isn't always done so you might have to ask for it. Either way you only get the menu just to look at prices and their promos. Here is a picture of a typical combo:
This a meal bought at the nearest dive bar from our house. It's a Muzza grande con una de Quilmes (Large cheese pizza with a liter of Quilmes) Fun fact: ALL pizzas here are served a green olive on every slice.
- During your meal the waiter/server completely forgets about your existence again. By the way, most restaurant servers here are middle aged men. They would never ask how your meal is or if they can get you anything else, unlike the States. Finally when it comes to paying you ask how much you owe. Sometimes the waiter will say it to you right away, bring you a printed receipt, or a handwritten piece of paper with random numbers for the cost of all the items on it and a total. When it comes to tipping, Nic and I have not figured it out. It's not very common and if you do end up tipping it's usually 2 pesos (US$0.50).
- The concept of customer service, as we know it does not exist here. Whenever you deal with a restaurant waiter, money exchange house clerk, or even immigration clerk, you get this feeling that they're always pissed off. If you make their job more complicated that it has to be, they will make their annoyance known to you. They don't have the mentality that the "customer is always right" as we do at home.
- Graffiti and tagging is EVERYWHERE in Buenos Aires!
But it's not always cool, sometimes it's just boring incomprehensible letters that just clutter up wall space. Anyway I'm serious when I say everywhere. Even in very public areas where you'd think you could easily get caught doing so like a Subte station. - Argentinians pronounce their ll and y's like sh's and they drop their s's.
- The concept of time is weird here. When someone says meet at noon, it could mean noon on the dot or it could mean 2pm and it's acceptable to do so depending on the context.
- There is dog poop on the sidewalks almost everywhere. So watch out when you walk... Nic :P.
- Soft drinks like Coke or Sprite almost never come with ice (like it's not an option). And if it's a sitdown restaurant you always get a 600ml glass bottle and a glass to pour it in. This also means no free refills...ever. And water costs money everywhere, it's not free because it's never tap water you get.
- Alfajores are the best thing ever! They are like little cake pastries that are often covered in chocolate and filled with dulce de leche. I will be bringing some home with me for sure.
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