Argentina

Prosperity, family, education, and personal relationships are important values to Argentines.

Urban Argentines tend to be cosmopolitan, progressive, and outgoing.

Those who live in rural areas are more conservative and traditional. Throughout the country, it is important to show respect to the elderly and to honor friendships.

It is customary to address people by a title (Señor, Señora, Doctor, among others) when being introduced. A handshake and slight nod show respect. Women are most likely to kiss each other, but a man and woman may greet in this manner if well acquainted. When approaching someone such as a police officer or a customs official for information, one should always greet the official before asking any questions.

Traditionally, it has been improper for a man and a woman to show affection in public--although these customs are not observed as much in large urban areas. During conversation personal spaces tend to be less than in some cultures, and people might touch each other or stand close when speaking. It is impolite to yawn without covering one's mouth. Eye contact is considered important in conversation. Hats are removed in buildings, houses, elevators, and in the presence of women.

Visitors introduce each person individually rather than in a single group introduction. If invited to dinner, one should bring a small gift such as flowers or candy for their hosts. Guests will not offend hosts if they arrive late. Guests are not seated until the head of the household directs them to do so. It is considered good manners to compliment the home or meal. When leaving, a guest should say goodbye to each person.

Most people wear modern fashions, especially in urban areas. Clothing that one finds in Europe or North America is readily available in Argentine cities. Traditional costumes representing a region's heritage may be worn on special occasions or holidays but not on a daily basis. Older people tend to wear more conservative styles and colors.

Beef has long been the staple of the Argentine diet. A favorite way to entertain is the weekend "asado" (barbecue). At such an event, friends and relatives will gather to eat grilled meat, sharing side dishes and spending hours relaxing. Other popular dishes include baked stuffed beef and "empanadas" (meat or vegetable pies). A preferred winter stew is "locro" (with meat, corn, and potatoes). More people are incorporating salads and other fresh produce into their diets.

The evening meal is lighter than the lunchtime meal. Dinner is frequently served later in the evening, even after 9:00 p.m.. Argentines use the continental style of eating, meaning they hold a knife in their right hand and a fork in the left--using both utensils to eat. Hands should always be above the table, not in the lap.

Beef has long been the staple of the Argentine diet. A favorite way to entertain is the weekend "asado" (barbecue). At such an event, friends and relatives will gather to eat grilled meat, sharing side dishes and spending hours relaxing. Other popular dishes include baked stuffed beef and "empanadas" (meat or vegetable pies). A preferred winter stew is "locro" (with meat, corn, and potatoes). More people are incorporating salads and other fresh produce into their diets.

The responsibility of raising children lies with the mother. Women working outside the home comprise less than thirty percent of the Argentine work force. Men are often occupied with work, even in the evening. Families are smaller than in other countries, with on average just two children. A good education is important to Argentines and families sacrifice to make it possible for their children. Divorce used to be illegal in Argentina Now the family structure is changing and leading to more single-parent households.

Group dating between young men and young women often begins at age fifteen. The fifteenth birthday is the girls' most important birthday as it marks the end of their childhood. Young couples' favorite activity is dancing. Going to the movies or eating at cafes are also popular dating activities.

Recreation in Argentina: Argentina's national game is "futbol" (soccer), which was introduced in the 1860s by British soldiers. In the streets of Buenos Aires, as elsewhere, important matches are often the topic of discussion--even among strangers.

Families often go to the Atlantic coast in summer. Mar del Plata, southeast of Buenos Aires, is a popular destination for the summer holidays. In winter, many Argentinians enjoy Andinismo, which means hiking, mountain-climbing, or alpine or cross-country skiing in the Andes mountains.

Pato (duck) is a special Argentinian sport, first played by the Gauchos (cowboys). Pato was originally played by two teams on horseback using a duck in a leather pouch with handles. Two players would grab the handles and pull until one let go. The winning team would ride away, while the opposing team tried to stop them and grab the pato. The sport became dangerous and was banned in 1882. In the late 1930s, it was revived with new rules. Now two teams of four men on horseback attempt to throw the modern pato, a leather ball with six handles, into one of two baskets at either end of a large field.

Horse racing is another popular spectator sport. Races are held throughout the year. The two most important events are the Argentine Republic Prize, held in April, and the Grand National in November.

Tennis was once a sport reserved for the wealthy until the Argentinian Guillermo Vilas did well in international competitions. Now it is played by young people throughout the country. Gabriela Sabatini, also of Argentina, was ranked as one of the world's top women's tennis players during her teenage years.

Although there is some variety when school begins, most children must get up between 7:00 and 7:30 to get ready for school. Breakfast in Argentina usually consists of hard rolls (or toast) and jam with tea or coffee. A favorite drink for young children is called "submarino" which is milk with chocolate syrup added.

There are no public school buses, so kids will usually walk or ride a public transportation bus to school, depending on the local circumstances. They will catch their bus in time to arrive at school around 8:00. Wealthier parents often drive their children to school. In the country or rural areas, some children will even go to school on horseback. Argentina is home to many large cattle ranches, and children who grow up on such ranches are very comfortable riding horses from the time they are very young. Larger ranches may even have their own one-room school for the children on the ranch to attend.

In order to create a sense of equality among students, regardless of economic background, students wear standard uniforms consisting of knee-length white smocks over their everyday clothes: the boys' smocks button down the front, and the girls' button down the back. The smocks resemble white laboratory coats. Students must buy their own books and uniforms. Private schools are conducted by churches and other organizations, but they of course charge tuition. Separate programs are available for special needs children. Schools have varying schedules, but many will have split sessions, with half of the students attending in the morning and half in the afternoon. School sessions provide three 10-minute breaks during each morning and afternoon session.

One of Latin America's most frequent problems with education is the number of malnourished children who attend school hungry. Argentina is one of the best countries on the continent for ensuring that its children are fed properly. Certainly, a small percentage of poor families cannot provide their children with sufficient nourishment, but only 2% of children under the age of five are considered underweight because of a lack of food. Furthermore, almost three-fourths of the entire population has ready access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation facilities. Recently, Argentina's educators have teamed up with some wealthy businessmen to improve the technological part of education. Over 50,000 personal computers have been installed in schools around the country, and the plan is to install another 50,000 before 2008. This is a tremendous asset for educators and provides children with a background that will allow them to get higher-paying jobs because of their familiarity with computers and the Internet. Spanish is the national language, though it is spoken in many accents, including a significant Italian influence in much of the country. Other languages are spoken in the country including German and French. When students are 14 years old, they take exams that dictate which type of secondary school they can enter. Some schools are for those who plan to attend college, others train children for vocations (business, industries, or trades), and yet others prepare students for teaching primary school.

Sports in Argentina are usually organized by leagues rather than schools. Most youth will pick a sport when they are quite young and stick with that sport throughout their school-age days. Competition between schools does still happen, however, but they are focused on other areas, such as dance and music. Thus extracurricular activities, when they are offered, involve art, academic clubs, music, dance, and similar activities.

The most popular sport in Argentina is soccer, as in most of Latin America and Europe. However, Argentines also enjoy basketball, rugby, and auto and horse racing. People are friendly and will encourage fun and openness.

Cultural backgrounds are so diverse in Argentina that it is difficult to describe a "typical" Argentinian family. In the primary city of Buenos Aires, in which about one-third of the entire population of the country lives, there is a saying that a citizen there speaks Spanish, eats Italian, dresses like a Frenchman, and thinks he is an Englishman. Fathers are considered the head of the family, while mothers are in charge of the home, although in recent years women have become more active in business and affairs outside of the home. Grandparents will often live with extended families and help care for the younger children while parents work, and newlywed couples usually live with parents until they are financially able to move out on their own. Argentinians usually eat four meals per day: a light breakfast, lunch, a small dish of cheeses or snacks following work, and dinner in the evening. The late afternoon light meal probably comes from a British influence of having afternoon tea. Empanadas, which are little pies filled with meats, seafood, or vegetables are a popular snack, one which children often take with them to school and which can be easily purchased from street vendors, along with warm peanuts, sweet popcorn, fruit, and similar fast foods. Traditional evening meals are eaten after nine in the evening. Argentina is known throughout the world for its superb beef, and many evening meals include pasta and beef, accompanied by mate, a native tea-like beverage.

Most citizens of Argentina aged 15 or older can read and write. The country has one of the better-educated populations in Latin America. Indeed, education is prized as one of the most important assets people can have. The government provides free public education for children ages 5-14, covering elementary and high school. There are also many privately-funded schools that charge tuition for their schools. Children attend school from March, which is Fall in South America, until late November. Summer vacation occurs when it is hottest, during December, January, and February. The length of the school day can vary, especially among private schools, but in general, the day begins at approximately 8:00 in the morning and will conclude in the early afternoon. School is finished each day by 4:30 in the afternoon. For younger children, the school session either runs from 8:00 until noon or from 1:00 until 5:00. Subjects for children in elementary school include math, science, history, geography, Spanish, English, music, belief systems, technology, and physical education. Until the age of nine, a child must study English for at least two hours a day.