Someone told me before I left that the Argentines were very indirect in communicating, insinuating rather than being direct. I wish I could remember who that person was so I could tell them just how wrong they were...
The Argentines I've been around are very direct about everything. There use of nicknames is but one mere example. For instance, if you're a tall skinny guy, your nickname might be el Flaco (skinny). The same goes for if you are larger, then you would be el Gordo (fat). Or even if the pigment of your skin is darker you might be el Negro (black). In my case, I'm la Gringa, or la Americana. No offense is meant by this type of directness and none is taken. As far as I've seen, people just state things as they are, especially when it comes to politics.
One of the first questions people ask me is how I like Obama. Most of the time, I'm so slow at formulating a response they state exactly how they feel about him and the US before I even utter a word. It's interesting, although they are quick to recognize others' flaws, Argentines are just as quick in pointing out there own. In fact, one of the first things they told me was that their politics were corrupt and that their president, Cristina Fernandez, is bipolar. Although their opinions my seem blunt to outsiders, anything but would simply impede in getting the point across.
~ From Argentina with Love
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