Opinions about Argentina

[Carrie Bradshaw]

I just wanna know what does people from others countries think about Argentina.
do you think we're a poor/rich country?
do you think we have a great/bad organization?
etc.
tell me what do you think

[kuni]

hello!!!...where is rosario?, mexico?,

I am Chilean, chile is a place beatiful, and... my english is bad! XD, I sorry!,
good by!!
see you!!!

[Ophelia]

Rosario is an important city from Santa Fe in Argentina.
This girl is asking people all around the world what do they think about our country.
I can't answer 'cause I'm from Argentina.

[Carrie Bradshaw]

ophelia you get my point!
i wanna know this because the other day i were in a taxi and the radio was on and a man was saying that he was borned here but he moved to europe (i don't remember the country). he said that people in europe see us as a poor country, full of fools and that we make terrible decisions. and i want to know if this is true, if people from other countries think that we're stupid or what do they think about us.
i know that we don't give a good impression with the issue of the strikes and the roadblocks. but after all, everyone can make mistakes.

[Dra jimenuska]

I’m agree with both of you...

when I went to Australia a few years ago, something "funny" happened to me, when a man asked me from where am I , and I told him "Argentina" he said...and where is it!
It’s not a joke!!! It was real!!! A then I said "south America”, the funny part of this was when he started to ask me If how could it be possible to me be there if all Latin Americans are poor....

wtf???

they see all the countries from south America like a entire one big state and all the people who lives there are poor....

another important point is that aussies hates the argentinians, I don’t know why...

is just and a story, an experience I had, may be there are more people who doesn’t think in the same way

[hollow]

My English teacher from last year (she's from Liverpool) said the first thing that surprised her was 'the fact that argentinian people are always willing to start a conversation no matter the topic'. She also mentioned that she still couldn't get used to people kissing each other instead of just saying hello. But then again, she's from England :P.
Regarding the country itself, she said she loved the south.

Sometimes I reckon ppl from other countries probably think of South America what people here think of Africa. And surely one will always have to put up with foreigners who know nothing but stereotypes.

I used to work at a coffee shop that was relatively near the University of Belgrano, which has this programme that if you're from the States you can come and spend a semester learning Spanish and staying with a local family. It was really cool cause every semester I had the chance to talk to some of the students who came and all of them said they really liked BsAs. Some of them told me they found it pretty big for the cities they were used to, and that it was impossible to drive during rush hours here.

One thing that amazed me was that most of them knew about the UBA, and when talking about the UB, one even said he knew the UBA was 'way better'. And I swear I didn't say anything about the UB .

I would have liked to ask them about their opinion regarding politics down here but I didn't have the opportunity.

[ZeKKi]

Originalmente publicado por Dra. Jimenuska

when I went to Australia a few years ago, something "funny" happened to me, when a man asked me from where am I , and I told him "Argentina" he said...and where is it!
It’s not a joke!!! It was real!!! A then I said "south America”, the funny part of this was when he started to ask me If how could it be possible to me be there if all Latin Americans are poor....

wtf???

they see all the countries from south America like a entire one big state and all the people who lives there are poor....

another important point is that aussies hates the argentinians, I don’t know why...

is just and a story, an experience I had, may be there are more people who doesn’t think in the same way

But Actually you can't blame him, talk about Australia and we all have the picture of "Cocodrilo Dundee", kangaroos and boomergans... O perhaps countrys in middle asia, like Bangladesh, c'mon, our idea of countrys like that are poor rice's eating chinese people.
Or countrys like latvia... someone live in latvia???

I don't think that it is bad not knowing a place where you never be or heard off, because you just can't know all countrys in the world. The important thing is to discard all prejudgments when you get to know the people, and off course never let de prejudgments avoid you to know new people

[Tincho]

Sometimes I reckon ppl from other countries probably think of South America what people here think of Africa.

Damned right.

[calcasol]

You can't take one person's opinion...I lived in Belgium for one year after I fiished highschool. I went in an student exchange programme and I can tell you, I've heard it all!!! Just like here, there are people that know and are very interested about other cultures, and some that have even asked me if Argentina was is Asia, or if it was a province of Chile...so you can imagine my reaction!
Unfortunaly, what they hear about mostly in the news, it's when something really bad happens, such us the crises of 2001. But nobody knows that we have nobel prices, for instance, and really capable and intelligent people trying to make things better, and changing our current situation.
But we also have to be honest with ourselves....everything we have (good or bad) and everything we are, is a reflect of being part of this society. Nobody is inocent. If people see that we have LOSTS of bad politicians (for ex) it's because we keep voting for them!!!
But that's just my opinion....

P.S: A lot of my classmates in Belgium that didn't know a thing about our country, were very egar to learn about our costums. Everybody was really nice, and welcoming, they've even got to drink mate, and eat dulce de leche in class!!!!

[nigromancia]

Originalmente publicado por hollow

I used to work at a coffee shop that was relatively near the University of Belgrano, which has this programme that if you're from the States you can come and spend a semester learning Spanish and staying with a local family.

Heheh, I used to go out for a while with someone who came in that program, what a laugh! An American... never again. I guess you can't really take their word. Remember that half of Americans can't locate their own country in a world map or locate NYC in a US map (from that research for the 50th Anniversary of National Geographic, quite a dissapointment). Also 70% do not even have a passport. Ok, you can say that here most Argies do not have a passport, but the difference is that we can't afford travelling to countries for which we need passport! (not Mercosur or Chile)
They're always very excited about everywhere they go... as long as they have their McD.

Sorry for being a tad aggresive, I know there are PLENTY highly educated Americans in Argentina, but I'm reffering to special kind of tourist I contacted here and abroad.

Originalmente publicado por ZeKKi

But Actually you can't blame him, talk about Australia and we all have the picture of "Cocodrilo Dundee", kangaroos and boomergans... O perhaps countrys in middle asia, like Bangladesh, c'mon, our idea of countrys like that are poor rice's eating chinese people.
Or countrys like latvia... someone live in latvia???

I don't think that's the case. I think people should know at least 3 things: where you can find Argentina in a World Map (it's unacceptable for an average educated person not to locate Argentina in a map, compare it with Latvia!!!!, even so... Latvia belonged to the iron curtain, so at least you should know where it is approximately) , what language we speak (many people in Europe asked me whether we spoke Spanish or Portuguese... it's easy: apart from Brazil, the US, Canada, [Guyana and Guayana?] all continental America speak Spanish!) and that we are in the Southern Hemisphere (meaning that if you're in Australia you have the same seasons and if you are at the Caribbean, North America, Europe, etc. you have opposite seasons, people always get that confused..). Then you can add Maradona, Peron (Evita for the most part), and all the "trivia" you mentioned, otherwise you're showing a lack of basic education.

To mention a foreing's perspective: A very good friend of mine, he's English, says that Argentina is a little bit like Russia. A country with well educated population who had it's ups and downs, but mostly can't improve their socioeconomic situation due to political failure. It's always a little bit of an always decadent country... It's sad, I know, but it's possitive as well, if we can improve things politically I think we'll pull through!

[Coddye]

Well, where I'm living, I call it "the Jungle", Buenos Aires City, 'cause is middle dangerous, but, is a cute place, grils are pretty, still we have some green on the parks, and is a city whit many funplaces. My country is so fucking beautifull, warm, snow, mountain, beach, rivers.

[chaman]

Maradona, mate, gauchos... oh, and stupidly haughty people of course.

[ZeKKi]

Hey, do not forguet about the European art @ museums & architecture @ traditional walkthrough at the federal district, that you have at "Pickup" erm, duh, I mean RecoleCta, northtown and Mattern Port* ¿¿??, minimalistic & paroissien hotel desings.

*Madero could refer as a "Log" but also at "what it's indeed from the mother"

Originalmente publicado por Nigromancia

I don't think that's the case. I think people should know at least 3 things: where you can find Argentina in a World Map (it's unacceptable for an average educated person not to locate Argentina in a map, compare it with Latvia!!!!, even so... Latvia belonged to the iron curtain, so at least you should know where it is approximately) , what language we speak (many people in Europe asked me whether we spoke Spanish or Portuguese... it's easy: apart from Brazil, the US, Canada, [Guyana and Guayana?] all continental America speak Spanish!) and that we are in the Southern Hemisphere (meaning that if you're in Australia you have the same seasons and if you are at the Caribbean, North America, Europe, etc. you have opposite seasons, people always get that confused..). Then you can add Maradona, Peron (Evita for the most part), and all the "trivia" you mentioned, otherwise you're showing a lack of basic education.

To mention a foreing's perspective: A very good friend of mine, he's English, says that Argentina is a little bit like Russia. A country with well educated population who had it's ups and downs, but mostly can't improve their socioeconomic situation due to political failure. It's always a little bit of an always decadent country... It's sad, I know, but it's possitive as well, if we can improve things politically I think we'll pull through!

I'm Afraid, not. Argentina it's a SHITTIE country, In a SHITTIE Continent, THAT NO ONE CARE ABOUT. Except yanks whom wasn't able to affoard a College in their country!!!

Do You actually think that a lot of young people came to argentina to tourist it just 'cause it's beautiful or the inhabitants are affable??

The world care for argentina as they care for Lesoto, Eritrea, Omán or Western Timor..


"You should....." yeah, right

[Maria Cachetes]

Originalmente publicado por hollow

My English teacher from last year (she's from Liverpool) said the first thing that surprised her was 'the fact that argentinian people are always willing to start a conversation no matter the topic'. She also mentioned that she still couldn't get used to people kissing each other instead of just saying hello. But then again, she's from England :P.
Regarding the country itself, she said she loved the south.

That's so strange! When I went to France people used to kiss on each cheek!! I still can't understand why they do it.

Originalmente publicado por hollow

Sometimes I reckon ppl from other countries probably think of South America what people here think of Africa.

I couldn't agree more.
I don't blame them for having wrong or exagerated opinions about the real situation in our country. In fact, I have no idea where Eritrea or Latvia are...

Anyway, it's so funny that, since this thread was opened, all but one of the posts where from people who live in Argentina

[ZeKKi]

Originalmente publicado por Maria Cachetes

That's so strange! When I went to France people used to kiss on each cheek!! I still can't understand why they do it.

All the people? Or Just girls on girls or boys on girls? boys and boys kiss their cheek twice?

[Tincho]

That's so strange! When I went to France people used to kiss on each cheek!! I still can't understand why they do it.

But that's perfectly normal in France, as far as I recall.

Do You actually think that a lot of young people came to argentina to tourist it just 'cause it's beautiful or the inhabitants are affable??

As a person who knows a lot of foreigners who came here on business or leisure, I can assure you that most of the foreigners that come here fall in love with the city and the parts of the country they visit.

[Stephen Bell]

Hey everyone,

I´m new to the forum. I saw this discussion and thought I should jump in. I´m from the USA and I live in Barcelona (Esp.) at the moment. Right now I´m considering different programs in medicine and I´m thinking about coming to Argentina because I´m a yank who doesn´t want to pay $150,000 for my education! Ja!

That´s beside the point though. I will give you my view of Argentina in two parts. Firstly, I would like to say I´ve never been to Argentina. In fact, I´ve never been to South America. The only parts of "Latin America" I´ve been to are Puerto Rico and Mexico. Typical yank, I know. Before I moved to Spain I had only met one person from Argentina. He was someone that worked with my father, who didn´t have the best opinion of his country. But really my view was that Argentina was a very intense place in terms of politics. I remember the crisis in 2001, and I knew some people who went to Argentina to help with anarchist organizing. So it has always had a romance to me in a revolutionary way because I remember hearing about workers cooperatives and anarchists making food banks and things like this.

But now it´s different because I know a ton of Argentinians here in Barcelona and now Argentina has been normalized to me in a way (I´m also older now and less of a romantic). But now after talking with my friends, Argentina sounds like a beautiful country firstly. Now it seems like a lot of other places in the world. Not exactly organized politically and economically but with the definite potential to be, and a whole lot of very smart people. The people I know here from Argentina are very smart, well educated, wonderful people. Of course there are people like that from every country.

Some people (a lot of people) in the states probably have a different view. I know people think that the problems that exist in South America are the same in every country. That they´re infested by corrupt socialists and drug cartels, and they all wish that South America could get its act together so they could come do business there (AKA - plunder the natural resources and make South America an American suburb). There is a very problematic world view that exists in much of Europe, the USA, Australia (probably...) that South America is one country...no, that Latin America is one country. This view also exists for Africa. That Africa is one country with the same big problem. But of course Africa is 53 countries. It´s a little bit difficult to envision such a large area of land having the same problem...

But I will say, when I began to consider going to Argentina to study, I did ask a friend if there were any golpes de estado on the horizon because I really don´t know a lot about the state of the country, how volatile the political situation is, etc. What do you all think? Is Argentina a good place to study?

So anyway, there´s my two cents.

Take care,

Stephen

[Magne]

I´m a yank who doesn´t want to pay $150,000 for my education! Ja!

150. 000 bucks? For 40 euros per week study whatever they want

[Stephen Bell]

Originalmente publicado por Magne

150. 000 bucks? For 40 euros per week study whatever they want

Where? In the USA? I was talking about the USA, not Europe. I apologize if that wasn't clear.

Stephen

[Nacho.tk]

Stephen,

You know we can't predict the future, but i can bet there'll be no golpes de estado in the near future. After the last one, the military forces did an awfull job very similar to a genocide or a dictatorship. Then, democracy came back and now military forces are really weak.

You may find a president that leaves before the 4 years period (we had one) but i think (and hope) that there'll no golpes de estado for a long period.

Back to the main topic, i've been to Rchmond VA this October. It's a small city and some people was amazed cause my spanish was very good. Of course, for them South America was Portugueze-speaking. On the other hand, I met a guy that was saving money whiling to move to Argentina. He've never been to Latin america before, but he chose Argentina and some of his friends really talked very well about Argentina.

To sum up: People all over the world have different thaughts about Argentina and it's hard to generalize. On average, i think Americans care about themselves and think there's nothing after their country (maybe UK haha), but that is just an average.

[Tincho]

The people I know here from Argentina are very smart, well educated, wonderful people. Of course there are people like that from every country.

When the educated people are fleeing the country, you have to pay attention to those things.

But I will say, when I began to consider going to Argentina to study, I did ask a friend if there were any golpes de estado on the horizon because I really don´t know a lot about the state of the country, how volatile the political situation is, etc. What do you all think? Is Argentina a good place to study?

There aren't about to be any coups for a long time, if ever. And if instability is a consideration, the country has always continued to function despite quite about everything that has happened. At the moment, stability is virtually assured, at least political, since the country is run like a one-party state, as the opposition can't get its act together (worse than US democrats during the 1st Bush Administration, if that serves for comparison).

It's a quaint country, with unique problems very pertinent to the local idiosyncrasies. The thing is that the quaintness gets old very fast, and it becomes a real pain in the arse.

It's not a bad place, though, there's much worse.

I would warn against the problem with crime, which has been worsening of late and is expected to worsen next year with the social and economic crisis that started this year. Especially for English speaking foreigners, who are targetted specially since in the common association of foreigner=dollars=easy cash for muggers and street urchins. So beware of that. Speaking with an accent here may well single you out to low-life criminals seeking to sack a tourist's wallet, unbeknownst to them that you aren't one.

[Matías Perez Artuso]

I am an european mind trapped in an argentinian body, always have, always will.

I dislike our governments indeed (and I duly hate the actual one) but I can´t put them to blame, at least not all of it.

I believe that a government is but the reflection of a society as a whole, and that argentinian society is but a teenager as far as it developmental state is concerned.

There will be a day when we will grow up as a society, and only then we will behave as such.

In the while, I hope things won´t get worse (yet I am quite cynical about this)

Of course that there is the likelihood of our country being taken over when drinking water around the world gets to scarce (meanwhile, places with important lakes or rivers are being sold to rich companies, and other such companies steal water from river in order to sell it abroad

[Magne]

I believe that a government is but the reflection of a society as a whole, and that argentinian society is but a teenager as far as it developmental state is concerned.

I was never agree more in life. But always with the hope that some day we will grow, sometimes seems like a Utopia

(o era Utopic xD?)

And I am a European but with hearth Argentino, do not change anything.

[Matías Perez Artuso]

As teenagers eventually grow up to become adults, leaving immaturity behind; so do societes.

The problem is that while it may take ten years for a teen to become an adult, it may take hundreds of years for a society to become adult, as far as its life span is concerned.

Each society is a living being, that is born, and lives and dies, and that it holds its own psychological identity.

Let us hope Argentina will some day become a responsible adult,
but I don´t think I will see that in my life.

[JennyC]

Yeah, well, I don´t think there is a better place on Earth than home, and that's why I look at Buenos Aires and I see the best fuc*ing city ever haha
Even after seeing Europe (I am an Italian citizen), it's beautifull but it's NOT home.
You show me a group of Argentinian tourists and they, of cuorse, look like 5 year olds! And I'M IN!! lol!
So that's why I try not to compare my dear Baires with other cities because, the others will lose in my heart XD

[SergeGainsbourg]

Originalmente publicado por Carrie Bradshaw

I just wanna know what does people from others countries think about Argentina.
do you think we're a poor/rich country?
do you think we have a great/bad organization?
etc.
tell me what do you think

As a gringo, (do you guys use that word) I'll tell you what I "know" about Argentina.

Great accent - Spanish that almost sounds Italian
Maradona - The hand of god. My favorite goal ever.
Tango - who doesn't like it?
Hyperinflation - Spend your earnings before nightfall.
Falklands - dumbest war ever.
Stolen babies - wtf?
Eva Peron - Don't cry for me.
Gauchos - don't mess with those guys
Food - beef and blood sausage, what's not to like.

Level of wealth - one of the wealthiest economies in the Southern Hemisphere. Not unlike a European country.

Yeah, before you all lynch me, I know I don't know much about Argentina. That's why I but the word "know" in quotes.

[ZeKKi]

Hyperinflation - Spend your earnings before nightfall.








LOL



don't forget "Seven Presidents in Seven Days"

[chaman]

Originalmente publicado por ZeKKi

"Seven Presidents in Seven Days"

That sounds like a movie title xD.


Oh...:



Coincidence? LOL

[Dexter_prog]

Originalmente publicado por chaman

That sounds like a movie title xD.


Oh...:



Coincidence? LOL

Don't mistake coincidence for fate




hahaha

[Coddye]

Great accent - Spanish that almost sounds Italian

Yeah, and with French pedigree

Maradona - The hand of god. My favorite goal ever.

ahsjhajshajs. Where you from Barrilete cósmico???

Tango - who doesn't like it?

I don't like to dance... only listen.

Hyperinflation - Spend your earnings before nightfall.

ahsjahsjhajs, it's fuckin' true.

Falklands - dumbest war ever.

Well, they are not giulty.

Stolen babies - wtf?

It's for care.

Eva Peron - Don't cry for me.

Don't you cray tonight, Still I love you baby.... wooo not, It's a Guns N' Roses sing.

Gauchos - don't mess with those guys

Don't look their women, don't play their guitars n' don't ride their horses.

Food - beef and blood sausage, what's not to like.

Asado baby... asado.

[Johana Rubio]

Hi!! hello to all !
My name is Johana, i'm medical student from Perú, i'm seventeen years old.
I like this page.

I leave my msn to chat online: emiru_girl_16@hotmail.com

Love you all

I want know to all!
kisses!!!!!

[chaman]

Originalmente publicado por Johana Rubio

Love you all

I want know to all!

Something inside me tells me that it makes no sence at all xD.

(soy pésimo Y?)

[Dexter_prog]

Originalmente publicado por chaman

Something inside me tells me that it makes no sence at all xD.

(soy pésimo Y?)

emotional much? haha

[Assia]

Mmm… I wonder why I’ve never answered to this topic…

What does come to my mind when I hear “Argentina”??

>>>>

> When I was vvvvery young :
1- Maradona (=> Football)
2- Blue & white stripes
and also: 3- Batistuta (my aunt was almost in love with him! )
[totally “football”…]

> Then:
1-Maradona (still!),
2-Buenos Aires,
3-Boca,
4-Che Guevara!
5-Tango!
6-Evita (=> Péron),
7-pampa - gauchos (as south-american cowboys) => good meat!
[But still mostly “football”]

Now:
1-CHE GUEVARA,
2-MARADONA (will always still ) ,
3-Tango,
4-Complicated economical situation, (i've never understood the situation well (and it's also the case for my country ))
5-Tango,
6-Patagonia, (and pamapa, gauchos, meat…etc.)
7-Piazzolla, Gardel, Santaolalla, Barenboïm, Calamaro, Manu Chao (I don’t know why for this last one!! lol )
8-Diversity and richness (natural and HUMAN !)
9-Messi
10- Voyage à motocyclette (la fleme de traduire) (el libro)
11- Mafalda
12- …
…
…
And I must confess that the following words are aloso included in this “Lexical field”: Mancia, medicina, neumoperitoneo, neumomediastino… (and other Spanish medical words… euh, no, in fact, I think I’ve only retained these two), Tincho and… Dr Chapatin! (at least I know who he is thanks to the forum)

Originalmente publicado por Carrie Bradshaw

do you think we're a poor/rich country?
do you think we have a great/bad organization?

Very rich with a ~~~~(?) organization (I'm not an expert so I don't know... but I would not say "great" )

[Darth Menkentor]

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Originalmente publicado por ZeKKi

don't forget "Seven Presidents in Seven Days"

They were 5 Presidents in a week, not 7... you buttface...

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Originalmente publicado por Assia

Mmm… I wonder why I’ve never answered to this topic…

What does come to my mind when I hear “Argentina”??

> Then:
1-Maradona (still!),
2-Buenos Aires,
3-Boca,
4-Che Guevara!
5-Tango!
6-Evita (=> Péron),
7-pampa - gauchos (as south-american cowboys) => good meat!
[But still mostly “football”]


Very rich with a ~~~~(?) organization (I'm not an expert so I don't know... but I would not say "great" )

That´s the right way to write it baby...
Once Enrique Pinti said: Argentina has only one trouble: it´s full of argentinians...