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Buenos Aires International Newcomers Activities in the Downtown Area for recent arrivals & long-stay expats
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ABOUT BUENOS AIRES
Language: Spanish is the main language spoken in Argentina. Although quite a number of people speak some English, it is advisable to make an effort to learn the local language as quickly as possible. Preferably start your lessons before you arrive to Argentina. If you have learnt your Spanish in another country, you will notice some differences upon arrival, e.g. the use of vos instead of tu, the way they pronounce the Y or LL and some words might have different meanings. Your local Spanish teacher will explain all about this when you arrive.
Dress in Bs.As. is relatively formal.
The styles are European and classic, and tend to be much more
body-conscious than many expatriates are used to. Dress in the
suburbs is a little more relaxed than downtown. Younger people,
especially teenagers, are more informal. Almost all of them wear
jeans and a T-shirt.
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Buenos
Aires is the capital of Argentina, and the fifth largest city in the world,
known as the Paris of the South. Buenos Aires offers the refinements and culture
normally associated with large historic European cities, combined with the
Argentine culture of Tango and rough-riding Gauchos. An afternoon spent chatting
with a bunch of spirited Porteños (residents of Buenos Aires) in a café or
talking horses with a seasoned Gaucho in Patagonia, will help visitors to
appreciate the Argentine’s fascinating culture of which they are justifiably
proud.
Adaptation:
Local attitudes towards expatriates are very good. People tend to be
quite friendly and helpful with foreigners, whether referring to the
work area or socially. A few of the challenges expatriates face when
moving to Argentina are the same ones that they face when moving to
any other country. - (Learning the language and trying to
communicate with different people such as maids, sales persons on a
daily basis; finding a good school for their children; making new
friends, etc.). Although products the expatriates are used to buying
in their country are often available, some products might be
missing. But more specific challenges might be getting used to the
driving pattern, especially in Bs.As.; coming to terms with the
average Argentine not being punctual for social affairs; and
realizing that simple things like opening up a bank account or
waiting for service people takes more time than what they’re used
to!
Customs:
It is customary not to arrive on time at most social functions,
especially dinner invitations, when the guests often arrive up to
one half-hour late after the appointed time. Theatres, concerts,
movies, business meetings and diplomatic affairs, however, start on
time. It is interesting to note that in most restaurants diners do
not arrive until at least 9pm and by about 11pm the place will be
bustling and with more customers arriving to eat up until midnight.
Security:
As in any big city anywhere in the world, you should be cautious and
aware of your surroundings. Although Bs.As. is a relatively safe
city compared to other big cities in the world, there has been
increase in petty crime. The rules to be followed are the same ones
as for any other city: don’t be obvious with jewelry in public or on
public transportation. Guard your wallet and handbag carefully,
especially on the buses and at crowded events, change locks when you
move into a new home, etc.