Argentina - Racism?

[bigbadwolf]

I've scant acquaintance with India, never having lived there, but from that limited acquaintance would hazard that Argentina as a whole is markedly less racist than India. There's certainly no social bigotry hiding under the veil of religion. However, Argentina does not have a "multicultural society" (does any nation?); as a short-term resident, you'd do well to observe and, within courtesy and reason, adapt to this very different (from India) society.

The higher you go in the Indian socio-economic hierarchy, the lighter your skin tends to get. It's no different to Argentina and Brazil in this respect. In the Indian matrimonial classifieds they often specify skin hue. Or look at the Bollywood actresses, who either tend to have lighter-than-average skin hue or who have been tarted up to make it appear so.

 

[RWS]

Accurate observations, BigBad.

 

[indiboy]

The higher you go in the Indian socio-economic hierarchy, the lighter your skin tends to get. It's no different to Argentina and Brazil in this respect. In the Indian matrimonial classifieds they often specify skin hue. Or look at the Bollywood actresses, who either tend to have lighter-than-average skin hue or who have been tarted up to make it appear so.

Its a big difference betwin India & Brazil and south America. India have over 1 billion people. And India is more like 30 countries in same . North india and south is different and east and west. Of coz i am aware of racism in India. Thats is what the rich indians have learned how to use it from the europeans. As same as Australian or Agerntina goverment did to keep the mayority in shack. But as you say you amean i shuld accept to not be able to enter a resturant and dont be server. becose some "argentinians/eurpeans" does not like dark skinned people. I can asure you this would never happend in India. This was only common by the white british that used to do this. So please dont compare India to Argentina, and i asking about argentina ....

 

[bigbadwolf]

But as you say you amean i shuld accept to not be able to enter a resturant and dont be server. becose some "argentinians/eurpeans" does not like dark skinned people. I can asure you this would never happend in India.

I don't know who's been filling your ears with this kind of poison. I'm Indian myself ethnically and have never experienced this kind of thing in Argentina. There are many things to hold against Argentina -- and Buenos Aires specifically: dog**** everywhere, crazy traffic, political corruption, inflation, high levels of burglaries and thefts -- but not this. If you know how to carry yourself and don't look for hobgoblins everywhere, you'll be just fine. On the other hand, if you interpret lazy or tardy service as yet another example of "racism," that is your prerogative.

 

[nikad]

Also notice that many restaurants may have people still sitting and eating, bu the kitche n is already closed, so they will tell ANYBODY coming in, that it is closed, wether you are black, white, indian, yellow, blue or violet Happened to me a few times in my life, and I am local, white and redhead.
V

 

[jp]

Hi indiboy

Am ethnically european, so can't comment really from subjective experiences on perceived racism. Will say though, that the levels of service here shock some people. Levels of service are far better in the US, and some people seem to find it hard to adjust. I'm european, and find the service here friendly and on par with most european countries. That said I've walked out of several cafes and restaurants having waited too long. Didn't take it personally, just couldn't be bothered to wait anymore and lost confidence in the establishment.

I have friends here from pakistan, bangladesh and india. They have never had any problems whatsoever. If you're very unlucky you'll encounter bigotry, but no more than in any other corner of the world. My colleagues recently attended a conference where the key note speaker was indian, and they were embarassed that they couldn't understand his english, due to their unfamiliarity with his accent. There's definite curiosity and lack of familiarity, but nothing particularly unpleasant about it IMO.

If you're interested in coming over here I wouldn't let fears of racism put you off.

Suerte!

 

[buenosairesquerido]

Argentina is not a racist place, I am sure you will be welcome.

Wondering what will you be studying? I believe all Universities teach in Argentine Spanish, that could be hard.


I am thinking to move back, and education is one of the reasons holds me back, please share if you know of good standards over there.

good luck

 

[RWS]

Its a big difference betwin India & Brazil and south America. India have over 1 billion people. And India is more like 30 countries in same . . . . Of coz i am aware of racism in India. Thats is what the rich indians have learned how to use it from the europeans. ....

I'm a bit reluctant to respond as I may have misinterpreted what "indiboy" meant (I do recognize that English is not his first language) but will hazard a response nonetheless.

India is no more varied than South America; indeed, ecologically and ethnically it is less so; the only greater variations come from the natural differences between individual human beings, as overpopulated India has three times as many people in a much smaller area. Second, though rich Indians (majuscules for proper nouns, please) may be racist, they did not learn racism from Europeans; racism has existed in India (and, frankly, probably in every place where races have met) since long before significant European contact.

 

[sergio]

I don't think you will be mistreated. Argentines know very little about the world, especially the non-Western world (this provincialism is reflected in Argentine Spanish - all Indians are called "Hindus"!) , so they will find you a kind of a curiosity however not necessarily in a bad way. I don't believe there will be mistreatment in restaurants or public places. The sort of racism that exists in Argentina is more subtle and directed primarily against Argentines of color and citizens of neighboring countries. An American black, for example, will be treated well whereas a dark skinned Argentine, a poor Bolivian or Paraguayan may be looked down on.

 

[Stanexpat]

I would agree with most of the comments. However, Argentina is not free of this problem but it is probably has less of a problem than other countries in S.A. Discrimination or racism is rampant throughout the continent and is the root of most of the social problems there. I've heard fatal traffic accidents reported in the Argentine press as 3 people killed and a 1 Bolivian. You can look in the employment section of the local newspapers and see applicant requirements that would be considered illegal and discriminatory most places.

A link to an article on racism in Argentina follows:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism_in_Argentina