| What is special or unique about your city? |
 
Founded in 1536, Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, is referred to by many as the "Paris of South America" or the "Queen of Cities". It is the main entry and exit point for Argentina, as well as the center of business, government and progressive development. To add to its uniqueness, it has a little bit of everything: culture, architecture, art, music and a never-ending night-life. It's also the home of "The Tango", the dance of love and seduction. Everyone does it at any time of day or night. Sometimes, people break out into dance spontaneously in the street, just because they're such happy people. This combination forms a fascinating city, worth discovering block by block.
Buenos Aires is located near the Atlantic Ocean coast, on the broad Rio de la Plata, an estuary at the mouth of the Parana and Paraguay rivers. The early Spanish colonists named the city for the "good winds" that brought them to port. Today, approximately 12 million people live in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area and is considered one of the largest cities in the world.
Buenos Aires is fortunate to have a diverse population comprised of predominantly Spanish and Italian, although British as well as other Europeans are also represented. |
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| What are a newcomer's first impressions of your city? |
| Typically, newcomers find Buenos Aires as a fun and energetic place, bursting with life. They also think it has a unique European flair all its own, along with beautiful weather, lots of cultural and leisure activities, as well as very friendly people. |
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| Are these impressions likely to change? |
| Not likely. Most expatriates that have been lucky to experience Buenos Aires report fond memories that will last a lifetime. |
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| What is the local language? |
| Spanish is the official language; However, French, Italian, German, and English are also spoken. |
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| How easily could I live in this city without knowing this language? |
Even though you may not know Spanish, the official language, chances are you would not have a hard time communicating with the Argentines due to the diversity of cultures in Buenos Aires. With Spanish taking the lead, other languages spoken are French, German, Italian and English. Although acquiring a basic knowledge of Spanish or enrolling in a language class would be beneficial, it is not necessary, because many Argentines are bilingual with a majority that speak English.
Here are a few Spanish phrases to help you when you arrive:
Buenos días / Good morning
Buenas tardes / Good aftenoon
Buenas noches / Good night
Cómo está usted? / How are you?
Estoy muy bien, Y usted? / I'm very well, and you?
Muchas gracias / Thank you very much
De nada / Your welcome
Me llamo... / Mi name is...
De dónde es usted? / Where are you from?
Yo soy de... / I'm from
Puede ayudarme? / Can you help me?
Habla usted inglés? / Do you speak English?
Yo no hablo inglés / I don't speak English
Entiende usted? / Do you understand?
Yo no entiendo / I don't understand |
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| What are good things to remember in order to avoid offending the other residents of this city? |
Some tips to avoid offending residents of Buenos Aires are:
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- Do not make the "okay" sign with your thumb up as this is a profane gesture.
- Argentines are not overly patriotic, but they will take offense at negative comments about the country as a whole. Also, avoid talking about local or international politics.
- Argentines love sports like football (soccer), Rugby, polo and tennis and enjoy talking about famous Argentine sportsmen that stand out in these fields. It would be wise to avoid any derogatory remarks regarding any of these sports or men.
- When in public, eating should take place only in restaurants and not when you are walking down the street as this is seen as bad manners.
- Address people by their title and surname, as only children, family members and close friends should be addressed by their first name.
- It is considered polite to acknowledge the most senior person in a group first when greeting.
- Kissing is a common custom for greeting. Getting embarrassed by this would be showing some disrespect.
- A firm handshake is also an important part of making a good first impression.
- And, smiling does a great deal in establishing good will!
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| How might the local weather affect my daily life? |
| Argentina is south of the equator, which makes the seasons reverse than what you may be used to. The country experiences a summer climate during the months of December to February with temperatures ranging from 35 degrees Celsius (95 F) and a winter climate during the months of June to August with temperatures around 13 degrees Celsius (50 F). On average, temperatures do not get very cold in Buenos Aires and it rarely snows, but sometimes it feels colder than what it actually is due to the dampness caused from the humidity. However, by the end of September, the cold temperatures give way to spring and warmth sets in. Although rainfall is frequent during springtime (October to November), as well as during autumn (April and May), these are the best months to visit or live in Buenos Aires. |
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| Is there anything else I should know about the overall character of your city or its people? |
| Famous for the tango, Buenos Aires is the most European of all Latin American cities. With its wide boulevards, leafy parks, grand buildings and varied culture and nightlife there is always something to do. The city is full of countless art galleries, theatres and museums, as well as fine restaurants. And if you don't feel like doing much of anything, it is a great city to walk around in. |
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