Argentina
Argentine customs are generally formal. Business dress, appearance and general approach and demeanor should be conservative. Businessmen operating in Argentina should take the time to develop a close personal relationship with their agent, representative, distributor or other business partner, and maintain it with regular visits. Politeness is very important, and efforts to rush a business deal will unlikely succeed. To establish trust, time spent on social activities is fundamental to developing a solid business relationship. It is important to shake hands with everyone in the room upon arriving and leaving, and with women, it is customary to kiss once on the right cheek, or shake hands.
Contacts and introductions are important, therefore use the services of industry associations, or other contacts, as opposed to the direct "cold call" approach. It is important to be prompt to business meetings, and always have a pre-arranged appointment. Be sure to have an ample supply of business cards. It is beneficial to have cards printed in Spanish as well as English, although not necessary.
It is wise as well as courteous to hire an interpreter to assist in business meetings unless you are certain that all parties speak English fluently. Many large business hotels can also provide this service.
All business in Argentina is transacted in Spanish and all documents and records must be in Spanish to constitute valid evidence. A certified public translator should translate foreign language business documents to Spanish to be presented for legal purposes to Argentine authorities.
Petty crime in the greater Buenos Aires area continues to be a problem for residents and visitors alike. Visitors to the city of Buenos Aires should be aware of problems with pickpockets or purse snatching on the streets and public transportation (buses and trains). Pickpockets often work in pairs and employ a variety of ruses to victimize the unsuspecting visitor. In recent years, most crime affecting visitors was non-violent, and aggravated robberies, shootings, etc., while not completely unheard of in Buenos Aires, were uncommon. Recently, however, incidents of armed invasions of restaurants, shops, and residences in the more fashionable suburbs are being observed with greater frequency, and as a result, it is recommended that caution be exercised when traveling about the city. However, in general, the crime level in Buenos Aires is less severe than in most large cities.
Residential burglaries also continue to be a risk to expatriate residents in Argentine cities. A particular concern is the brazen nature in which many crimes are carried out. Daylight break-ins are no longer an unheard-of activity. Display of weapons in include firearms has been on the rise, though actual discharge of firearms during the commission of a robbery remains infrequent. Security upgrades such as grilles, locks, etc. no longer have the same deterrent effect that they once provided. Residential security alarms when activated are easily circumvented, and without a centrally monitored response station, are of questionable value. Walled-in or gated communities are becoming increasingly in vogue as individuals seek greater security. In addition, management associations increasingly employ guards for apartment buildings. The proliferation of private vigilante or watchman services in residential (single-family home) neighborhoods is quite significant.
Robberies of bank trucks remain somewhat common and auto thefts, especially with luxury and four-wheel drive vehicles is remains high. Carjackings, however, are rare in Argentina.
Counterfeit money is a concern, especially in Buenos Aires. Taxi drivers are the most common distributors of bogus currency, giving fake tens and twenties when making change for fares, but fake bills sometimes get into ATMs, where there’s little protection for the victim. One way to avoid these notes is to get cash from bank tellers and to carry lots of small bills for taxi fares, so there is no need to get change from taxi drivers. Several clues can help you detect counterfeit bills: smudge marks on serial numbers; smooth surface rather than raised printing; waxy feel; missing watermarks; middle portrait off center and a lack of detail.
Hotels range in standard from the most luxurious in Buenos Aires to the lowest class in the rural areas. In Buenos Aires, the cheaper hotels can mostly be found around Avenida de Mayo Most are air-conditioned and many have fine restaurants. Generally service is excellent. All hotels add approximately 3% tourism tax, 24% service charge for food and drink and 15% room tax.
Hotels range in standard from the most luxurious in Buenos Aires to the lowest class in the rural areas. In Buenos Aires, the cheaper hotels can mostly be found around Avenida de Mayo Most are air-conditioned and many have fine restaurants. Generally service is excellent. All hotels add approximately 3% tourism tax, 24% service charge for food and drink and 15% room tax.
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Lamp fittings are of the screw-type. Plug fittings in older buildings are of the two-pin round type, but some new buildings use the three-pin flat type.
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North American, Continental and Middle Eastern cuisine is generally available, whilst local food is largely a mixture of Basque, Spanish and Italian. Beef is of a particularly high quality and meat-eaters should not miss out on the chance to dine at a parrillada, or grill room, where a large variety of barbecue-style dishes can be sampled. In general, restaurants are good value. They are classified by a fork sign with three forks implying a good evening out. Hotel residents are usually asked to sign a charge slip. Argentine wines are very good and inexpensive. Local distilleries produce
their own brands of most well-known spirits. Whiskies and gins are excellent, as are classic and local wines. Caribbean and South American rum adds flavor to cocktails. There are no licensing laws. National specialties:
• Carbonada stew, made with beef, corn, pumpkin, tomatoes, potatoes and yams.
• Puchero (tasty mulligan stew).
• Tartas, a kind of vegetable pie.
• Empanadas del horno are puff pastry stuffed with different ingredients; commonly, minced meat.
• Charrasco Argentino is a large, juicy Gaucho steak - a must-eat for carnivores
• Alfajores (cookies) filled with dulche de leche ( caramelized milk sauce) and coated in chocolate
• There is plenty of Italian food on offer, including pizza and Ñoquis (Gnocchi).
• Panqueques are delicious crepe deserts.
• Sweet squash in cream.
• Locro (pork and maize stew). National drinks:
• Yerba mate (tea-like drink).
• Quilmes is the national brand of lager.
Legal drinking age: The legal age for drinking alcohol in a bar/cafe is 18.Tipping:
Tips are theoretically outlawed but some hotels or restaurants will add 25 per cent service charge, plus a 21 per cent tax charge. In these cases, a minimal tip is still expected. Otherwise, 10 per cent on top of the bill will suffice. The same applies in bars. Taxi drivers tend to expect tips from visitors.Nightlife
Buenos Aires’ nightlife is vibrant. There are many theaters and concert halls showcasing foreign artists. Nightclubs featuring jazz and tango are plentiful. Tango lessons and dancing can be enjoyed at lively milongas (tango parties), throughout Buenos Aires. There are also many intimate boîtes (clubs) and stage shows. There are casinos throughout Argentina.
