Argentina Introduction

Argentina has a population of 33 Million with an ethnic composition of 85 percent European descent, primarily Spanish or Italian. Indians, mestizos (people of mixed Indian and Spanish ancestry), and blacks together make up the remaining 15 percent. The Republic of Argentina is a democracy for now, but has had a long history of military power.

Spanish is the official language, although many people speak English, Italian, or other languages. Argentine Spanish is heavily influenced by Italian and is unlike Spanish spoken anywhere in Latin America. Church and state are officially separate, but about 90 percent of the population considers itself Roman Catholic. Jews and Protestants account for 2 percent each.

Argentina Fun Fact

Argentina is the homeland the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church known as the Bishop of Rome. Jorge Bergoglio, is the first Pope selected from outside Europe in over 100 years and the first from the Americas. He will be known as Pope Francis. The longtime Bishop of Buenos Aires, the new Pope spent the majority of his career at home in Argentina with his roots in the Jesuit Order. As the Cardinal of Buenos Aires, he was known for humility, doctrinal conservatism and a commitment to social justice.

Argentina is a country of wide-open pampas and ancient forests, in addition to very sophisticated cities, such as its capital, Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires, has the largest number of Jews in Latin America; they are commonly referred to as los rusos (the Russians) because most of the early Jewish settlers emigrated from Czarist Russia. Argentina was the first Latin American country to send a contingent to the Middle East during the Persian Gulf War.

Religion in Argentina

* WORLD FACTBOOK 2011

In a country that has over 50% of its population practicing the Catholic religion, we found the primary correlating Hofstede Dimension to be Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI). There were only 2 countries out of 23 that did not follow this correlation, they were Ireland and the Philippines. (See the accompanying article)

Argentina Appearance

  Dress is very important for making a good impression in Argentina; your entire wardrobe will be scrutinized. Business dress is conservative: dark suits and ties for men; white blouses and dark suits or skirts for women. Indian clothing is for Indians -- don’t adopt any native costumes!

  Maintaining eye contact is very important

  A pat on the shoulder is a sign of friendship

  A sweeping gesture beginning under the chin and continuing up over the top of the head is used to mean "I don’t know" or "I don’t care"

  With thumb and finger touching (as if holding a pinch of salt), one taps them with the index finger to indicate "hurry up" or "a lot"

  Make sure to cover your mouth when yawning or coughing

  Don’t put your feet up on any furniture

  Eating in the street or on public transportation is considered rude

  Prior appointments are necessary

  Argentine executives may put in a very long day, often lasting until 10:00 p.m.. An 8:00 p.m. business meeting is not unusual

  Business dinners are popular and are usually held in restaurants; business lunches are uncommon outside of Buenos Aires, since most people go home to eat lunch

  Tender beef and red wine virtual national symbols. American beef and red wine compare poorly to theirs

  Long meals and conversation is the norm. Crossing the knife and fork signal "I am finished". Never pour wine back-handed; it’s considered impolite. When dining, keep your hands on the table, not in your lap

  Gifts to be avoided include personal items such as ties and shirts, leather, and knives. High taxes on imported liquor make this a highly appreciated gift; the most popular are scotch and French champagne

Considering sending a gift to someone in Argentina, see gifts to Argentia

  If the visitor is entertained in the Argentine home, he/she should arrange to send flowers or candy to his hostess. Bird-of-paradise flowers are highly prized

  A guest should always wait for the host to sit down before sitting, and to open the door for him before leaving

  Handshaking common when meeting for the first time

  Titles, especially among the elderly, are very important. Address a person directly by using his or her title only. A Ph.D or a physician is called Doctor. Teachers prefer the title Profesor, engineers go by Ingeniero, architects are Arquitecto, and lawyers are Abogado. Persons who do not have professional titles should be addressed as Mr., Mrs., or Miss, plus their surnames. In Spanish these are:

• Mr. = Senor
• Mrs. = Senora
• Miss = Senorita

  Most Hispanics have two surnames: one from their father, which is listed first, followed by one from their mother. Only the father’s surname is used when addressing someone

  Italian and German second and third languages

  Good conversation topics: soccer, history, culture, home and children, opera

  Bad conversation topics: the Peron years, religion, Falkland Islands conflict

Doing Business in Argentina

  Argentines are tough negotiators. Concessions will not come quickly or easily. Good relationships with counterparts will shorten negotiations.

  Contracts are lengthy and detailed. A contract is not final until all of its elements are signed. Any portion can be re-negotiated. Get everything in writing.

  An Argentine contact is essential to wading through government bureaucracy.

  Be punctual for business appointments, but prepare to wait thirty minutes for your counterpart, especially if you are meeting an important person.

  The pace of business in Argentina is slower than in the United States. A meeting that is going well could last much longer than intended, even if it means postponing the next engagement.

  Personal relationships are important and must be developed before business is done.

  Argentines often need several meetings and extensive discussion to make deals.

  Decisions are made at the top. Try to arrange meeting with high-level personnel.

  Guests at a meeting are greeted and escorted to their chairs. The visiting senior executive is seated opposite the Argentine senior executive.

  During business meetings, sustain a relaxed manner, maintain eye contact and restrict the use of gestures. Don’t take a hard sell approach.

  Be prepared for a certain amount of small talk before getting down to business.

  Make appointments through a high-level person. Your Argentine contact can help with this.

  Confirm meetings one week in advance.

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