Summary: Nonverbal Communication Norms In Argentina

Nonverbal communication norms in Argentina

1. Eye contact and looking behaviors:

In Saturday nights in Buenos Airs make sure you go to Cachirulo Milonga if you want to watch or enjoy tango in one of the best places for Tango in the city. While making eye contact with your dancing partner know that Eye contact is very important in the Argentine culture; not maintaining eye contact when talking or dancing to considered impolite, and rude. Also when meeting someone or asking for a dance for the first time, an eye contact is encouraged. A handshake, with direct eye contact and a welcoming smile will leave a good impression. Moreover, Maintaining eye contact shows interest. Therefore, looking in the eyes of others is significant to Argentines, because they will judge you not only on what you say, but also on the way you present yourself.
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2.    Personal space use:

It is hard to find someone who hates soccer from Argentine.

Boca juniors and river plate represent the biggest teams in Buenos airs and Argentine. Therefore, one of the biggest days in Buenos airs is when Boca Juniors hosts river plate in La Bombonera stadium has a capacity of 49,000 fans; It is not just a game it is a battle. If you are attending, know that the definition of personal space is considerably different than in North America. The normal distance between two people during standing face-to-face between two people in North America is approximately arm's stretch. While waiting in line for the game consider that Argentine personal distance is controlled by their culture in a way less popular in nations, the average personal space is approximately three to four inches closer than in North America. Another example is in Tango Argentines are always sensitive to their partner’s level of comfort when it comes to personal

space.

3.    Gestures:

in 2001 in the city of Rosario located 186 miles from Buenos Aires three man Hernán Amez, Alejandro Verón and Héctor Campomar founded the church of the famous Argentina soccer player Maradonian. The church which claims that they have 200,000 followers which represent Argentinians passion for soccer. Visiting the church and exploring the differences between cultures one must know that Argentines have different hand gestures. For example, if you meeting someone new a warm handshake is typical greeting in Argentina. As males become mature, with the regular greeting the handshake would be accompanied by a light pressure on the forearm or elbow. Alejandro Veron one of the Co-founders says, "Our religion is football and, like all religions, it must have a god. We will never forget the miracles he showed on the pitch and the spirit he awoke in us, the fanatics.". Close friends will greet with a hug, or embrace this could also be combined with several warm pats on the back. In addition, in Argentina a man might also touch the arm or shoulder to another man he's speaking to so don’t feel uncomfortable is just a part of their culture. Gestures to avoid when exploring Argentina is Standing with the hands on the hips shows anger or a challenge. Another sign to avoid in Argentina is Yawning in public which considered to be rude. Also, always pour using the right hand, not the left if you went for a drink after a tango dance or soccer game. Argentines have strong ethnic pride about their red wine; if toasts are made, the usual gesture is simply to raise your drink to those around you and say 'salud' which signify 'health', then drink. If one is lucky that day and went in a date after a tango dance know that when eating to show you have finished your food, cross the knife and fork in the middle of your plate. Since Argentina's most popular sport is soccer, a popular gesture meaning enthusiasm and victory is to raise the paws upward emphatically, while the knuckles of the fingers aiming outward. Famous Argentines Hand gestures are as follow:

(Come here)

(Be careful or Watch out)

(Just right, Perfect, Impeccable or The best)

(Cheapskate)

4.    Touching:

the Mundial de Tango which means Tango World Championships takes place In August every year since 2009 location is Buenos Airs Paris of the south as some people like to call it; It begins with a 9-day celebration of tango shows, concerts, classes, milongas and film screenings at venues. The Festival begins with a large open air milonga, filled with tens of thousands of people dancing in the streets. Touching is a great deal in tango, and Argentines have different approaches and place a significant value of emphasis on touch. However, this contrasts considerably to North American countries, where most public touching is bound to the handshake. Typical Argentine intercommunication would expect to include handshakes of longer duration than in America and Canada; touching each other on the forearm or even shoulder. Also greeting kisses between men and women, and women among themselves.

5.    Voice

In Argentina, a soft voice is favored to any loud, noisy talking. A loud voice is considered impolite especially in public spaces. Argentina speakers are excellent at recognizing and showing their emotions from vocal tones in their native language using their voice, they show anger, empathy, and happiness.