Couldn't quite belive this!!!

[deeve007]

I doubt the actual hardcore racist population of Argentina is no bigger then the one in the states.

Maybe, but to say racism doesn't exist in this country is a complete fallacy. I know/have met/chatted with a number of blacks and asian, and they get things shouted at them across the street far more than in the US, for one.

 

[Santiago F]

Well, my spanish isn't perfect so maybe I'm wrong but when I just looked up "lacio", it meant lank or limp and that's not very complimentary. It's not just saying straight hair. I don't think they use this word to describe the effects of a Keratin treatment or the latest ceramic hair iron.....maybe someone fluent would know better exactly what this word means.

I'm a local and I can assure you that the word "lacio" has absolutely NO negative connotation. It's neutral, or even should I say in certain contexts is more positive than not. I don't know what dictionary you looked up the word, but probably there are other Spanish-speaking dialects in which "lacio" has negative connotations. I just looked up "lacio" in the RAE's dictionary:

lacio, cia.

(Del lat. flaccĭdus).


1. adj. Marchito, ajado.


2. adj. Flojo, débil, sin vigor.


3. adj. Dicho del cabello: Que cae sin formar ondas ni rizos.



The first two definitions are foreign to me (and most probably to Argentines in general). Only the third one I recognize as the meaning of the word "lacio". In fact, whenever I hear "lacio", I think of straight hair, and especially, of very STRONG straight hair... I wouldn't associate it with "marchito", "ajado", "flojo", "débil", "sin vigor", but with the opposite indeed.

 

[LostinBA]

I am a Chinese. It's wrong that Chinese have round eyes... We just have small eyes...
Japanese have round eyes... Korean have thin eyes...come on!

It's not a problem though. My kindergarten teacher told me all Americans were blonde!

Only on Baywatch...oh, wait..Pamela Anderson is Canadian. haha.

 

[John.St]

Spouses and friends in Argentina call each other loco/loca, flaco/flaca, negro/negra, ... lovingly

In the US perhaps not hipocritically correct - but Argentina is not the US.

In the US they have the F-word but say kill without a problem - making love is wrong, killing people is OK.

 

[Godiva.]

Most Argentineans are insensitive when it comes to race, but there's not much racially motivated crime or violence here unless you count pickpocketing Americans a race crime. They may stare, joke, ask silly questions, or make broad generalizations, but for the most part it's harmless, though uncomfortable and maybe slightly insulting.

I think what happens as well is that people take comments too personally or see racism in situations where it might not exist, especially if they feel like they stick out. Miami is a diverse place, yet when my sister in law visited she said she felt people were staring at her and my brother because she's Asian. Of course walking on the beach with their pasty white skin, long pants, and very brightly colored shirts had nothing to do with it! Not to discounts anyone's experiences, but sometimes people feel persecuted when they shouldn't.

Argentineans will use whatever descriptive words they have at hand, so it's not usual for them to mention skin color, hair color, or body shape when talking or insulting. Being called negro or chinita is a term of endearment. I think it might be difficult for people who are used to blending in or to never have their race mentioned to adjust to the culture here since Argentineans really see nothing wrong with pointing out your physical differences or your nationality. They certainly aren't going to tiptoe around it.

And just to mention, lacio means straight when referring to hair. It could also be used to describe a person (lazy.) Long straight hair is valued in Spanish/Argentinean culture, so I'm sure it wasn't meant to be insulting. Google 'pelo lacio' and you'll see it is exactly referring to the flat iron/stick straight/little volume look.

 

[almgia]

ive noticed, in a little over two months in bns. ars. that people here are a bit more forward about certain aspects which are inhibited in the u.s.

 

[chris]

Take a look at local TV. What images do you see in advertising? Almost ALWAYS white European looking types, very few people who represent the majority of people in this country who are of mixed race (Argentina is not Recoleta and Barrio Norte). Fair skin, slender physiques and a European look definitely seem favored here. Racial /national stereotyping is common. I'd say it's a sign of provincialism. Few Argentines have seen much of the world. Few even know their own country. How many Argentines do you know who have traveled extensively within Argentina? Despite this people invariably have strong opinions on jst about everything but views that can be mis or uninformed.

 

[Santiago F]

Most Argentineans are insensitive when it comes to race, but there's not much racially motivated crime or violence here unless you count pickpocketing Americans a race crime. They may stare, joke, ask silly questions, or make broad generalizations, but for the most part it's harmless, though uncomfortable and maybe slightly insulting.

I think what happens as well is that people take comments too personally or see racism in situations where it might not exist, especially if they feel like they stick out. Miami is a diverse place, yet when my sister in law visited she said she felt people were staring at her and my brother because she's Asian. Of course walking on the beach with their pasty white skin, long pants, and very brightly colored shirts had nothing to do with it! Not to discounts anyone's experiences, but sometimes people feel persecuted when they shouldn't.

Argentineans will use whatever descriptive words they have at hand, so it's not usual for them to mention skin color, hair color, or body shape when talking or insulting. Being called negro or chinita is a term of endearment. I think it might be difficult for people who are used to blending in or to never have their race mentioned to adjust to the culture here since Argentineans really see nothing wrong with pointing out your physical differences or your nationality. They certainly aren't going to tiptoe around it.

And just to mention, lacio means straight when referring to hair. It could also be used to describe a person (lazy.) Long straight hair is valued in Spanish/Argentinean culture, so I'm sure it wasn't meant to be insulting. Google 'pelo lacio' and you'll see it is exactly referring to the flat iron/stick straight/little volume look.

I agree with everything you say except that 'lacio' could also be used to describe a lazy person. I've never ever heard it used like that here.

But the rest I pretty much agree.

 

[Santiago F]

You are clearly a moron. These people ARE racist and certainly everyone here wants to be whiter than white! They make Michael Jackson seem normal in their desire to be whiter than white.

They love the fact that they can be openly racist and it is accepted because it is "cultural" and just accept it. If only the KKK could use the same excuse...oh wait they did...and it's still BULL SHIT!

Sorry, You bring about the KKK! They just KILLED, MURDERED for racist motives, they didn't just say things... I can't understand how you can compare the KKK with what happens here, it's totally out of place.

I'm sorry you have only met these racist kinds of people here, I can tell you there are many more that are normal people, with their prejudices (like every single human being on Earth) but not racist.

Sorry all, but I have to say this, every time this topic crops up, I feel there's a lot of stereotyping towards Argentines. I'm not saying there isn't racism here, I'm just saying there is less than you think.

 

[xibeca]

It's funny to see you guys get all worked up about nothing. Not even the Chinese people think that it's racist.