When visiting a country, it is important to know its culture and we know that within each one, there are many traditions and customs. Argentina is no exception: country of tango, soccer, barbecue and mate.
Knowing this country implies being surprised with each daily tradition and many of them, you even end up adapting them to your life without realizing it, because of how wonderful they are.
Next, we will tell you which are the most important:
Say hello with a kiss.
Argentines are characterized by being friendly and affectionate. It doesn't matter if you are a friend or a stranger, everyone will greet you in the same way. It is quite common in Latin America to greet each other with a kiss, but many times for other cultures this is quite rare and draws attention, especially when seen among men. And if it is a person you have not seen for a long time, start the show of kisses, hugs and claps!
Another surprising fact is the Invitation to home.
In many countries, talking about your personal life with someone you have known recently is unthinkable and inviting them to your home ... Much less!
Here is different: if an Argentine liked you and you generated confidence, don't be struck by the fact that he invites you to his house to eat a barbecue with your family or have some mate.
¡La argentinidad al palo !: El mate.
Mate is the traditional infusion and a favorite of all Argentines. Its taste is bitter but you can add any type of sweetener to taste, be it sugar, sweetener or honey. It is the ideal pretext to generate cool talks with those close to you.
When do you drink? At any time of the day. Morning, afternoon, night. In Argentina there is no schedule to enjoy a good mate accompanied by bills, cookies, cakes or fried cakes. Unlike coffee and tea, mate is not commonly served in restaurants. Most Argentines have their own "pot" set and prepare it at home.
We leave you a mini tutorial to make yours:
1) Heat the water to 70 °. You can do it in an electric kettle (in Argentina they already come with the "mate" option) or by putting a classic kettle on a stove in the kitchen. The key is that it is hot but not boiling.
2) Put the yerba inside the mate, filling a little more than half. Cover the mouth of the mate with your hand, shake it down and turn it over again. This is mostly to get the dust out of the weed.
3) Move the weed so that more of it is forward, leaving room for the bulb.
4) Place the bulb in the hole you left.
5) Charge the water of the kettle in a thermos (or you can take it from the kettle itself, but the second option is more comfortable and safe) and start to prime your mates.
6 ) I absorbed the water through the bulb and enjoy this infusion accompanying it with bills, cookies, sponge cakes or fried cakes.
Other tips about mate:
- Always pour the water close to the bulb so as not to wet all the herb and make it last longer.
- Do not throw too much water because it can overflow and lose the taste of yerba or as all Argentines say "your mate was washed away".
- If it seems too bitter, you can add sugar or sweetener to the mate. Many also choose the option of adding the sweetener to the water in the thermos.
- If you don't like sweet either, you can wait several rounds and when it's your turn, the yerba will be ready. be softer or "washed" as they say.
Cachamai Tea.
Cachamai is one of the main Argentine brands that offer natural products and that today are recognized in different countries. Like mate, tea is one of the infusions most consumed by Argentines and Argentines: common tea, green tea, tea with a mixture of herbs, among others. Nothing like having a national and good quality product.
An essential: Dulce de leche.
No census was done, but dulce de leche is something that is probably in the home of all Argentines. It is a traditional sweet made of cow's milk, sugar, vanilla essence and a little baking soda.
In turn, there are different types that vary according to the texture:
- Colonial: with a greater part of milk than of sugar , firmer.
- Pastry: the thickest of all, used especially in pastry.
- Classic: the sweetest style and at the same time soft, for being softer.
- Light: a new option that appeared a few years ago (personally we believe that you should not feel guilty when eating something as delicious as dulce de leche!)
It can be spread on bread, toast, cookies and lovers of it even eat it by the spoonful while it is accompanied with mates or a rich coffee. In addition, it is the main complement of another of our icons: the alfajor.
Almost always talk about politics.
Normally in barbecue or mateadas meetings there is a topic that almost always comes to light and that is politics . Every Argentine likes to talk and debate about this, whether they know a lot about it or not. There may be quite a few differences and the most popular and recognized movement is Peronism , along with the iconic figure of Evita.
Argentine religion: Football.
Maradona and Messi are the best players in the world and they are Argentines, no it could be otherwise. For all Argentines, football is much more than a sport: it is a passion. Many emotions are awakened during a match: joy at winning, euphoria at a goal in the last minute, anger at losing and anger at a poorly charged penalty. The unmissable show in Argentina is the “superclassic” between River Plate and Boca Juniors , two of the most popular teams of the country.
As soon as the referee blows the whistle to start the game, everything stops. "And it doesn't matter where you play because I go anywhere" is sung on the court. Yes, many put off plans and travel where necessary to follow their passion. What other event is expected in Argentina? The Soccer World Cup . Every 4 years, all the differences are put aside and the whole country unites for a reason:
to bring the world cup home.
Regardless of the country where it is played, Argentina stands out: on airplanes, in subways, in the streets, in hotels and in the stadium, all Argentines always jump, sing and cheer.
Fun fact: On October 30, 1998 in Rosario a group of Diego Armando Maradona fans founded the "Maradona church" of which many fans and fans of the former footballer who maintain that it is a religion of heart and passion. They even created their own 10 commandments and an Our Father prayer as a parody!
Take a nap.
Usually after lunch, from noon to 3 or 4 in the afternoon. And especially in northern Argentina, the siesta is a ritual that is not negotiated: many businesses and services close at that time. It is important that you keep this in mind during your trip because each place has its own priorities.
On the other hand, in Buenos Aires it is not so common, since it is known as the city that never sleeps.
Does it come off ?: The previous one.
If you are thinking of knowing the Argentine night and going out to dance with friends, probably always a group of Argentines invites you to "the preview." What is it? It is a meeting between groups of friends that can be organized in a bar or in someone's house/apartment. Basically, it is the meeting point before going to the bowling alley where the atmosphere is great: drinks are made, music is played and sometimes even themed games appear.
Also , in some previous there are usually certain Argentine rituals such as drinking from a cut bottle . It is a technique that began to be implemented among low-class people, which involves cutting a soda bottle in half (it can be with a knife) to turn it into a glass and pour the drink inside it (almost always wine or mixing wine with soda). This "cut glass/bottle" is usually passed from hand to hand among the people in the meeting and shared.
Besides, the previous ones are made because in Argentina no bowling alley is crowded before 2 am and the "night boom" is always between 3 am and 5 am. If you are invited to a preview, do not hesitate to go. It's a good opportunity to chat and meet new people!
Fernet with tail
With a dark color, intense smell and bitter taste, Fernet is an alcoholic drink that over time, began the idea of mixing it with cola flavored soda. Especially in the province of Córdoba , the Fernet is part of the cultural identity. Today it is one of the most popular drinks and chosen by Argentines to share in barbecues, meetings with friends, pre and bowling.
Although it is easy to do, Some tips should be taken into account:
- Perfect mix: 30% Fernet, 70% Cola flavor soda.
- If possible, the soda should have gas and be very cold.
- Add ice to taste.
Wine
Argentina stands out for being one of the main producing countries of excellent quality wine worldwide. Although they are distributed throughout the North, Patagonia, Córdoba and Buenos Aires, the largest number of vineyards are in the Cuyo region, mainly in the province of Mendoza.
The wine Pinot Noir is produced there, a red that stands out for its concentration and the wine Malbec , characterized by its intense and fruity flavor. Continuing with the classic reds, you can also try the Bonarda , full-bodied and with a good fruity aroma. And another ideal option is Torrontés, which is the most famous among white wines and you can only find it in Argentina.
There are three varieties of Torrontés : the San Juan, Mendoza and Cafayate (Salta). It is a great companion for typical foods of northern Argentina, especially empanadas and locro. In addition, it is necessary to highlight the Argentine tradition that predominates in lower-class areas but that is often adopted in the previous or festivals when there are no more glasses and is that of "the cut jug." It's about drinking
Asado.
For an Argentine, eating a barbecue is not just sitting down to taste meat, it is also makes the perfect excuse to get together with family and friends. It is a great classic of Argentine gastronomy and a Sunday ritual. If you are passing through Argentina, they can invite you to enjoy it in a house. And if you are not that lucky, rest assured that there are always restaurants or grills with the best varieties.
I profit !
Las picadas.
Another custom on the table of all Argentines is picadas. Basically, they are made up of food cut and in small portions to "nibble" before the main meal.
What does a snack include? These are some of the classics:
- Homemade bread cut into slices
- Varieties of cold cuts (especially ham raw and matambre)
- Varieties of cheeses
- Homemade chorizos, salamines
- Olives
- Snacks (the most common are French fries, salty sticks, peanuts but it is up to the person who builds it)
Also, sometimes the bites are so abundant that they can be directly part of the main course. If you go to a restaurant you can find the famous "hot bites" and "sea bites".
Hot picadas can have fried chicken, mozzarella sticks, French fries and different types of spreads, meatballs, cut Milanese, sausages, among others. On the other hand, sea bites, squid, prawns, cornalitos and shrimp.
Empanadas.
Although they are made in several Latin American countries, many say that "there is nothing like Argentine empanadas." A typical dish of the country that is easy to eat and offers different varieties. The most traditional is the Creole empanada which is made up of a dough filled with minced meat, olives, onion, egg and seasonings to taste (depending on the region of Argentina, they can be more or less spicy )
Milanesas.
The popular and everyday dish in the table of all Argentines. It is a cut of meat or chicken coated in breadcrumbs and egg that has two ways of cooking: fried or baked. In addition, there are varieties because there are many products that can be coated: soy,
vegetables, meat, chicken and fish. It all depends on your tastes. With what to accompany it? Many are fond of accompanying them with French fries and mashed potatoes, although another option is salads to cut the excess of frying. Also, in this dish the Argentines add as a plus the lemon or dressings (mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard)
Vitel Toné at parties.
Although it is an Italian food, the Vitel Toné you eat more in Argentina. It is a cut of meat (usually peceto) that is boiled in a broth with different vegetables so that it takes flavor for 2 or 3 hours, then it is allowed to cool and cut into slices. On the other hand, the sauce is prepared with tuna, mayonnaise, cream and capers. In Europe it is simply a summer dish, in our country it is a festive one, a must at
every table at Christmas or New Year.
Dinner is late.
All Argentines have the habit of having dinner quite late and this is due to the hectic routine they have every day. Work, study and social life mean that the days are longer: time with family or friends is highly prioritized. For this reason, it is very common for dinners in Argentina to start only after 9:00 p.m.
If you are not used to it, we recommend you go ahead with an afternoon snack.
What about breakfast?
Within the Argentine traditions and customs, the reality is that breakfast is not given to nothing the same importance as in other countries. Americans can find them in hotels or in some gourmet coffee shops. In the traditional neighborhood bars, they will simply offer you coffee with croissants or toasts.
And if you get to have breakfast with an Argentine, it may be that he will only offer you a few mates with cookies (we already warned that you do not there are times to enjoy one).
Tango.
A sensual dance with visual contact and musical genre that occurred during the middle of the 20th century, due to European immigration and that ended up becoming one of the most important attractions of Argentina worldwide and stands out in every corner of the City of Buenos Aires.
Throughout time, different musicians, composers and lyricists have been making history.
Some of them are:
- Astor Pi azzolla: Composer and bandoneon player, he was one of the most famous of the 20th century. His most recognized tango are Libertango and Summer Porteño .
- Carlos Gardel: He was born in France but lived in Buenos Aires since he was a child. He was a composer, singer and film actor and is the most recognized artist and icon in the tango genre.
- Tita Merello: She was an Argentine actress and singer who debuted in the first film called Tango! It is recognized by “It says about me”song that he later performed in the film Mercado del Abasto.
- Homero Manzi: He was a poet who brought the first poetic lyrics to tango. In addition, he is recognized for being the one who “rejuvenated” the milonga.
If you are visiting Buenos Aires, many
tango houses. They offer shows (with optional dinners) where you can relive history from its beginnings to today.
Folklore.
It is the music that represents all Argentines and that in turn, it is divided into many genres that vary according to the region of the country. Unlike tango, folklore is much more cheerful and takes place in a more familiar environment. Their dances are one of the most maintained gaucho traditions and these dances also depend on melodies. Some are the chacarera, malambo, gato, chamamé, zamba and carnavalito.
The ring run.
This is a game in which the gaucho or rather “horseman” has to put a toothpick that he carries in his hand inside a ring. With his horse, he starts the race for a few meters until he stands on the stirrups while with his arm raised he tries to place
the toothpick in the ring. It belongs to the gaucho tradition and is currently still practiced in Argentina, mainly in the Mataderos fair and folklore festivals.
National rock.
A genre that was born in Argentina from the influence of rock and roll in the United States and the boom caused by The Beatles. National rock in Argentina was not only about composing in Spanish, but also movements with different musical expressions that were very popular were put together.
It should be mentioned that In Argentine history, this genre suffered great censorship throughout the military dictatorship because the police considered it revolutionary and because of this, many artists had to leave the country. With the return of democracy, national rock resurfaced and returned with incredible melodies and lyrics related to freedom of expression, social equality and injustices.
Although today There are countless Argentine artists and bands within this genre, the figures that marked a before and after are, without a doubt, Charly García, Luis Alberto Spinetta and Soda Stereo. We share with you some of their best songs!
Other types of music.
The quartet is a genre that, although it is heard throughout the country, was born in the province of Córdoba and stands out for being a fun rhythm. You can't miss any birthday or wedding!
If you are intrigued to know more about this genre, we recommend listening to
"Rodrigo " or
“ La Mona Gimenez ”. After a few seconds, your body will move on its own!
On the other hand, there is the cumbia that arrived in Argentina in the 90's due to Peruvian immigration and Bolivian. Over time, within this genre the
“cumbia villera” emerged in the lower-class neighborhoods: a different style that uses a very Argentine slang. Today the cumbia villera is still popular and is occasionally heard in many Argentinean clubs. His most famous musical group is Damas Gratis
Argentinian comics.
According to its definition, a comic is a story or story explained by means of vignettes with illustrations. But for Argentines who love comics, it is much more than that and some of its characters have become icons of the City of Buenos Aires:
- Mafalda, an Argentine strip created by Quino and starring a girl who is concerned about human issues, world peace and is in charge of questioning and rebelling with the elderly and the world itself.
- Clemente is a character created by Caloi that represents the soccer fanatic and the national humor.
- Diógenes y el linyera was created by Tabaré, Carlos Abrevaya and Jorge Guinzburg for Clarín newspaper. Diogenes is a street dog who kicks off the strips and the lineman is a vagabond who lives in a square where various situations lead him to ask himself many questions.
- Yo, Matías is a Sendra strip that is about a naive and friendly boy who, with the simplicity of childish thought, tries to find a meaning in the lifestyle that adults lead.
You can find all of them in the famous "Cartoon Walk" in Buenos Aires, a street circuit that pays tribute to all these characters.
Argentine words: “boludo” and “che”
They cannot be missing in the vocabulary of all Argentines and the chances are that you will hear these two words a thousand times at day.
Boludo is synonymous with idiot and can have two meanings depending on the situation: it is said seriously and with a high tone to insult and argue, but at the same time this word is used to affectionately call friends and clearly the tone of voice is much calmer. If you pay attention, you will notice this difference!
On the other hand, "che" is a word used to call someone or attract the attention of another person. Let's say it could be compared to "hey." You will hear it in all possible sentences. Argentines cannot live without the "che"!