Las Tradiciones Argentinas (Argentine Traditions)

Written by Alanna McFadden

Published on April 8, 2024

In 2024, I was awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, which allowed me to act as a citizen diplomat during my time abroad. As part of a service project to raise awareness about the scholarship, this article was written to high-school students in Nebraska in collaboration with Reach the World.

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I had the pleasure of taking a cultural intensive for a month before my official semester started, and my teachers talked a lot about the traditions of Argentina. I visited a traditional gaucho ranch, toured ruins of the Jesuits, visited local markets, and ate traditional Argentine cuisine. Here are 10 Argentine traditions I learned about during my time here:  

1. El Desayuno Tradicional (The Traditional Breakfast)...Or Should I Say Lack Thereof? Breakfast in Argentina is usually the lightest meal of the day, and some even skip it entirely. In contrast to the United States, breakfast is considered the least important meal of the day. It usually consists of una taza de café o mate (a cup of coffee or yerba mate) and facturas (pastries) [usually medialunas (croissants) or tostadas (toast)]. The only time a large breakfast is eaten is at a hotel, where continental breakfasts are common.

2. Merienda y Siesta (Snack and Nap) From noon to 5, many people take what's called a siesta. A siesta is a short nap/relaxation time during midday. Most businesses close shop during this time and you won't find many restaurants open during these hours.

   

   However, for those who have jobs outside of their home, it isn't feasible to return home, so many working adults don't take part in this tradition. Around 5-6pm, most people eat merienda, which is a light snack similar to breakfast that's eaten a couple of hours before dinner.

3. La Cena Familiar (Family Dinner) La cena is the most important meal of the day and typically eaten late in the evening, around 9pm or later. Common dinner foods are carne (steak), empanadas, choripan (sandwich with chorizo and chimichurri), and milnesa (breaded cutlet). Dinner is eaten together as a family every night and the conversations at the dinner table can last for hours!

4. Abrazos y Besos (Hugs and Kisses) It is tradition to greet others with a hug and a kiss on the cheek in Argentina. Atención (Attention): Unlike in other countries that greet with kisses, in Argentina it is only ONE kiss and NO contact is made (solo un beso de aire - just an air kiss). It is not proper to give a kiss on each cheek or make contact with your lips. This greeting is the same regardless of gender and is used in informal situations. In formal situations, such as an interview, a handshake is appropriate. 

5. ¿Qué es Considerado Puntual? What is Considered Puntual? In Argentina, and many other Spanish-speaking countries, it is not common to arrive early or on time to social events. For example, if your friend is having a birthday party and the invite says it starts at 9pm, guests are not expected until closer to 9:30-10:00pm. ¡Atención! (Attention): If the event you are invited to is in a public place, it is not polite to keep the person waiting. Also, if the event is formal, such as an interview, it is necessary to be on time. 

6. ¿Cuando usamos usted? (When do we use usted?) In Argentina, the word usted, which is the formal way to say “you” in Spanish, is not commonly used. In most cases, usted is used to speak to new acquaintances, someone of seniority, or someone in a position of authority. This is used to show respect, however, in Argentina using usted can be viewed as cold or as a means of marking distance between you and the person you are speaking with. Argentine culture is very warm, friendly, and casual, so it makes sense that they would prefer using tú (informal you) with pretty much everyone. The only instance where usted is commonly used in Argentina is in the plural form (ustedes) when referencing more than one person. For example, if you just watched a movie with a friend and their mom asks ¿a ustedes les gustaron la película? (Did you like the movie?), she is not necessarily being formal.

7. ¿Cuando propinar? When to Tip? Tipping culture differs around the world. In Argentina, it is common to tip in restaurants, but it depends on the service and your satisfaction. The normal tip is around 10%. Conversely, it is not common to tip your taxi driver. 

   

8. Las Invitaciones (Invitations) In Argentina, the culture around dinner invitations can be tricky if you don't know the hidden social queues. Not every invitation is made to be accepted. In fact, in some instances, it is more polite to decline an invitation. It is important to note that if an acquaintance asks you if you'd like to stay for dinner, the correct response is to timidly decline, unless the person insists. However, if the invitation is from a close friend, declining can be viewed as impolite. It is polite to accept invitations from people you are close to quickly and with excitement. 

9. "Tenemos que juntarnos a tomar un café" (We've got to get together for coffee) In Argentina, this phrase is often said as a casual and nice means of saying goodbye. It is not an actual invitation and should be met with a response that is equally indefinite and spontaneous. 

10. Mate no es solo una bebida. Mate isn't just a drink. Yerba mate is more than a refreshing drink, it's a social ritual. The traditional way of drinking mate is to share it with others, as this provides a means of social connection.