Ceviche, that's the point: people who can regularly travel abroad can get whatever they need during those trips. Who is stuck here, is bound to live by the local standard, even if on an income higher than average.
There are some things you can't buy, such a reliable water service, people not littering every inch of pavement, decent paper tissues, police control, etc.
In general, those who get along very easily with Argentina is because they live in a bubble (i.e. they can go abroad often, they interact little with the local reality, they live in barrio cerrados, etc.) But that's like vacationing in Argentina, not like living here.
I came here with the best intention of downshifting, but Europe is so much better! What's the point of being rich in Argentina if you can't even live in a home with a garden without barricading yourself behind bars and electrical fences?! Or about being able to afford a smartphone and then not to use it in public because you are afraid to get robbed? Or to talk freely because someone might understand when you are not at home or where you live? Is that freedom?!
Of course, this country has other (bigger issues), but I am just talking about my current thoughts based on where I come from. I still like it here, but sometimes I feel so distant from the locals.
Some of the things that bugger me are objective, other are subjective.
Objective:
- the quality of services here is much lower, from the water supply/electricity interruption to the building water pump that can't be fixed (and even if replaced, it will break down again in a matter of months), to the quality of serving in restaurants, the pavements condition all over the city, the garbage all over
- most people don't care about the public stuff, this means that they will litter, there is no public shaming in Argentina, you can't tell somebody "You shouldn't be doing this" because the best thing that can happen, is that you get yelled at. The worse is to be attacked physically.
- The scamming culture, which is blatant toward foreigners and even toward Argentines who have lived abroad and are returning here on vacation or to live.
- You can't go around freely, you have to know where you will be going and plan your route accordingly. You can't simply take your car and go. Or walk freely through the city.
- Going abroad requires planning, a lot of planning because you will never know what the customs might invent to track you or fine you or tax you. When I read the paper where one should declare their phone make and model I get shivers. Is this 1984 yet?
Subjective:
- I personally can't stand the mediocrity of Argentines, they always strive for the bare minimum. They are so talented, but they aim very low. This reflect in the quality of the products they produce: why make a cheap garbage, a mid product and an expensive design toy when everybody will simply buy the cheapest one? So we're full of garbage in shops and no quality goods.
- The commercial limitations make me worry. Though I never experienced the need of an imported drug, tampax or contact lenses, I think the day it will affect me is not that far along the road.
- I can't stand individuales, especially those made in faux leather. Which is the "posh" version for the local. First, the table is a mess, second, they never get washed properly and stick. Grow up and get a tablecloth, for god's sake!
- They are so good at advertising, that once you see the actual product or service you realize you have been fooled. This looks like a resource-poor country that shifted intellectual jobs to compensate the lack of production/exportation of material goods. Which is sad.
- I think we have a different ideas of "decency" as far of other human beings and animals go. I have been meeting people from various pet associations, and the standard (again) here is so low even for basic veterinary care.
- Some things are unavailable, most are available in a very basic and rudimental version.
- The food options are limited, and their preparation more than anything. I realize than in certain areas of Palermo there is more "ethnic" offering, but where I am there is not. It is always the same 10-15 (unhealthy) dishes with the cheapest ingredients possible. In La Lucila there are some trendy places, but the food quality is not up to their bill, imho. You pay for the location, the ambience and the security.
We are looking at Spain, Portugal and possibly Germany. Ona side note, we are discussing spending a year "trying out" Berlin and London before settling in a cheaper country like Spain or Portugal. A sort of sabbatical (we would be working!) to try the best of Europe.
