« Manuel Mujica Lainez - Luminosa Espiritualidad | Main | The order of surnames »

April 26, 2005

Cultural Awareness 101 and elementary manners

Useful tips while travelling in Argentina, learned the hard way:

- When asked if you'd like to have dinner and watch tango never reply: "I couldn't possibly endure two hours of tango!"

- Never smile back at macho immigration officers who give you back your passport with a lusty grin and a wink while saying "you can go through"

- Don't block the other tourist's view of Evita Peron's resting place while trying to take a photo of a much more beautiful mausoleum just across from hers

- Don't ask for "only a caprese salad" at a grill restaurant where everyone is eating steaks of gargantuan proportions; argentines are very proud of their meat, no pun intended

- NEVER ask a cabby, whose car's dashboard is covered with River Plate stickers, to take you to La Bombonera - the Boca Junior's Football Stadium (and eternal rival)

maradona_wine.jpg
Maradona wine is the sort of classy souvenir one can buy at "Todo Boca", a Boca Juniors souvenir shop just across the street from the stadium

Posted by claudia

Comments

Thanks for the tips! It's useful to have a bit of local knowledge sometimes. :) This is probably the first time I've ever seen wine in a carton! What is it, some kind of refill pack for a bottle?! ;)

Posted by alkam at May 1, 2005 12:40 PM