In Argentina, 5 facts that shape society also affect the way we speak Spanish. Personality traits and emotions greatly affect communication. Therefore, understanding the Argentine society will help you understand Argentine Spanish better.
Before we dive into the 5 facts that shape the Argentine society, let’s discuss what Argentinians are like. What is the Argentine society like? Keep reading to find out what makes Argentina unique (and Argentinians, as well).
What makes Argentina unique?
Argentina is unique for its people’s passionate, charismatic and welcoming personality. This is also a society of strong, resilient people that are always ready to face adversities.
Passion
When you hear us Argentinians speaking about our country, it is easy to tell we take pride in our culture. Some of the passions most Argentinians share as a society are the passion for soccer, mate, asados and anything with dulce de leche.
Charisma
Argentinians tend to be very charismatic and full of life. We are a little loud and use a lot of gestures when we speak, a trait that we inherited from Italian immigrants. It is rather easy, therefore, to spot Argentinians in a crowd because we tend to be the soul of the party.
Friendliness
In general, Argentinians are quite welcoming and friendly people. We are very family-oriented and love to gather with our loved ones often.
Mates are the perfect symbol of our friendliness, since it is common for us to share mates in a circle of people and chat with them for hours. You are always welcome into a “ronda de mate”, even if you are a stranger!
Argentina: 5 Facts That Shape the Argentine Society
In my opinion, there are 5 facts that shape Argentine society as it is nowadays: a society of strong, resilient people that are always ready to face adversities. These 5 facts are:
- immigration,
- unstable economy,
- corrupt governments,
- clear social class division and
- insecurity.
Immigration (La inmigración)
Argentina is a culturally diverse country that received millions of European immigrants. Nowadays, lots of Argentinians are the sons and daughters of Italians, Spaniards, and Germans.
These large groups of European immigrants changed Argentine society forever. For instance, it is common for Argentinians to have late dinners, like Spaniards, and to make (too) many gestures when we speak, like Italians.
We have another article, in Spanish, that talks more about Italian immigration and its influence in Argentina. Click here to check it out.
Unstable economy (La economía inestable)
In spite of the fact that the local currency’s value is constantly plummeting and half of the country is poor, Argentinians are very resilient.
After a series of terrible governments, a dictatorship, and high debts, Argentinians know how to reinvent themselves and find ways to keep going forward.
Our resilience and positive attitude tends to be reflected in the way we speak: making jokes about ourselves and laughing at our own disgrace. Argentinians have developed a dark or self-deprecating sense of humor surrounding the economic situation we live in. In a way, it is so sad that it is funny!
Corrupt governments (Los gobiernos corruptos)
The reason why the economy is so unstable in Argentina is corruption. Government officials have no qualms about stealing from people. As a result, most Argentinians tend to be very wary of politicians.
In the last fifteen-twenty years, the government administration has been in the hands of the Kirchneristas, led by Cristina Kirchner, our current vice president.
Other consequences of corrupt governments are the increasing poverty and insecurity, and the vanishing of the middle class.
When engaging in conversation with Argentinians, mind that politics is an extremely sensitive topic.
Clear social class division (La clara división de clases sociales)
The social class division is very clear in Argentina. However, with the skyrocketing inflation, the middle class is vanishing. More and more people are below the poverty line, with just a few remaining on the top, the rich.
As the economy plummets, Argentinians are forced to live a less materialistic life. Old traditions like asados every Sunday, are now a treat for special occasions. Buying a new phone or a new pair of shoes is a luxury only a few can afford. Plane tickets are almost impossible to buy with a 70% tax imposed by the government.
Insecurity (La inseguridad)
Unfortunately, the increase of poverty and misery causes more insecurity, mostly in the big cities. In order to stay safe, Argentinians have adopted new self-protective habits like not taking out their phone in the streets, not wearing a purse, and carrying pepper spray.
Nevertheless, Argentina is a large country and the most insecure cities are just a few. If you are planning to visit Patagonia or Mendoza, or the North West of Argentina, you will actually encounter a ton of safe towns with friendly locals.
Outside the province of Buenos Aires, people have a more relaxed life-style and personality. Locals tend to be very welcoming and friendly. There are towns where alarm systems and security measures are non-existent because it is extremely safe.
Will Argentina Ever Recover From its Bad Economy?
All my life, I am 28 years old now, I have heard the same story. That the government is corrupt, that the economy is only getting worse, and that it is better to save money in dollars.
We Argentinians do not trust our own currency, the peso. No one ever said “I am going to save my salary in pesos” except for a few lying politicians.
However, I believe that even this terrible situation is incapable of breaking people’s spirits. Argentinians are very resilient and know how to find their own ways to deal with these economic adversities.
Is 2023 a Good Time to Visit Argentina as a Tourist or Digital Nomad?
Definitely! 2023 is the perfect time for tourists and digital nomads to visit Argentina. As I have heard from expats living in Buenos Aires and exploring the country, the prices are “ridiculously cheap”.
In 2023 you can travel to Argentina to drink quality wine, eat the best steak in the world, take tango lessons, and enjoy gorgeous landscapes for pennies. The best is that if you buy your tour tickets from local travel agencies, you will be helping locals improve their economy.
Buenos Aires is now one of the most elected cities by digital nomads to work remotely. The government has recently created a visa for digital nomads that allows them to work remotely while living in Argentina for a year.
Working remotely from Argentina, earning in any foreign currency that is not the Argentine peso, allows digital nomads to enjoy a luxurious life for a cheap price. I will be writing an article related to this topic in the near future.
What Argentina Is Famous For: 7 Things
Now that we have read about 5 facts that shape Argentinian society, let’s talk about other things Argentina is famous for.
Check out this post: What Argentina is Famous for: 7 Things You Should Know. It unveils seven things that make Argentina one of the most unique countries in South America. Learn what makes the country special!
Want to learn more about this topic?
Interested in hearing more about Argentina in Spanish? Listen to our Podcast here and start learning now! Find the Easy Argentine Spanish Podcast on your favorite platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.
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