Meeting Argies

[starlucia]

In my experience, Argentines are very warm and friendly -- it's been easier for me to make new friends in BA than in DC or SF! You'd be surprised by how easily a conversation or two can lead to friendship (on three separate occasions, the Argentine I sat next to on a long flight ended up inviting me to their home and introducing me around.) Classes are a great way to meet people - yoga, chess, cooking, drawing, whatever you're interested in. Even in a bar or cafe, if you just start talking to someone, chances are you'll end up sharing a drink, a meal, and maybe hanging out again.

 

[AkBill]

Just learn spanish.. my favourite argentinas are the types with a bit of an egoistic attitude that argentina is the best and why should they bother learning english

 

[Bajo_cero2]

Guillo, I am not sure how old you are, but ask your friends and family about the term Argie, and then let me know if you still think it is neutral or non offensive...

It is 100% ofensive. Regards

 

[mcaffa]

ask your friends and family about the term Argie, and then let me know if you still think it is neutral or non offensive...

I just asked my Argentine husband about it and right off the bat, he agreed that the term ''Argie'' is offensive. I guess he's particularly sensitive to it since he's in the military here.

Until today, I had no idea that it was considered a derogatory term. Good to know!

 

[Guillo]

Guillo, I am not sure how old you are, but ask your friends and family about the term Argie, and then let me know if you still think it is neutral or non offensive...

I'm far from a kid (38) and have been quite exposed to international culture though online multiplayer games, and that's where I picked up Argie as a term.
I'd say that for 90% of the locals the term makes no connection to Malvinas, or anything particularly negative.
Sorry for hijacking the thread

 

[Lucas]

I just asked my Argentine husband about it and right off the bat, he agreed that the term ''Argie'' is offensive. I guess he's particularly sensitive to it since he's in the military here.

Until today, I had no idea that it was considered a derogatory term. Good to know!

No, its not, only in the mind of the English it is if you accept it as derogatory and an insult then it's your problem not theirs, if you ignore it as un insult and even accept it as a funny motto then that so called insult (in their English mind) will disappear, why? because you are not given them the pleasure to mortify you, so at the end they will lose interest to use it anymore, besides in the mind of an argentine that slur terminology do not means anything offensive that really can offend you badly, insulting your mother or sister that is a different matter.

Some beauties in they casual and favorite slurs vocabulary and by no means the complete one.

Wog
Wop
Pom
Pommy
Nig
Niggers
Coon
Japs
krauts
Chinks
Gook
Fritz
Yid
Boche
Hun
Argies
Frog
Frogeater
Jewy
Paki
Slant-eye
Camel jockey
Sand monkey
Etc.

English, British or whatever you wish to can call them are specialist in putting names to every thing since they need to put down people of different culture in order to assert they superiority...nothing new under the sun.

 

[mcaffa]

No, its not, only in the mind of the English it is if you accept it as derogatory and an insult .....besides in the mind of an argentine that slur terminology do not means anything offensive that really can offend you badly, insulting your mother or sister that is a different matter.

Look, I was just relaying what my husband's opinion is on the matter. And he happens to be Argentine - born and raised.

 

[rrptownley]

I have been using the word Argie all my life, around people from all walks of life in the UK and in Argentina and it has never to me, nor to anyone with whom I have been talking to, seemed offensive. I asked my Argentine girlfriend (with who I have many a spat with over the Malvinas) and she looked stumped and replied that it had no known offensive connotations to her.

Firstly, I ask Lucas to stop stirring his xenophobic pot as per, I can find him quite offensive. It IS a name that became popular during the Falklands war, born from a tradition of adorning ones foe with a "nursery-sounding and therefore dismissive name".

It is not continued to be used as a dismissive name but as a shorter endearment.
We have had the discussion on this forum before over the perception of insult and name calling which many foreigners to Argentina struggle to embrace. Think of it as similar to the word "Gringo" if, as an Argentine, you need understanding as to the intent to which we use the word.

Second, I would really like to know who finds this offensive, and why? When has anyone you known been stared down the nose by someone and been called an Argie with intent to offend?

Mcaffa, you mention that your husband finds it offensive, possibly due to his military bearing, I can reassure you that the British soldiers who I know who fought in the Falklands share a lot of compassion with the under-equipped, under-fed and under-supported Argentine soldiers who faced them and whom they called Argies. Many of whom died from exposure and illness rather than from combat action. I am assuming he has learnt it as a slur through his peers in the mess rather than antagonism from a foreigner.

In Rugby commentary it is popular to use the word "ArgyBargy" (actually a derivative from a Scottish term meaning argument) as an endearment to the often aggressive and effective Argentine forwards and any other scuffles on the field. Cue excuse to post some amazing Bill Mclaren videos:

Scotland v Wales 1971
Friday Funnies - Bill McLaren

Lastly. If anyone here in the past has been intentionally insulted or, with reason, still finds this term offensive, then I will not persist in its use, nor condone it. I apologise if offence has been caused on behalf of all my fellow Gringos.

Yours sincerely,

Sr. Rosbif/Pom/Limey/Lobsterback/Pohm/Sassenach/Teabag/Tommy/Brit/FEB/Rooinek

 

[John.St]

I don't think calling an Argentino an Argie is any worse than calling a Scotsman "an Englishman" (Grinning, ducking and running for cover )

Never use the expression myself, though.

 

[TrevorCito]

Sorry about using the term Argie. I didn't know it had a negative connotation, though if I knew more Argentines maybe I would! Thanks for your advice!

I've been here for over 5 years and didn't know that Argentines were sensitive to being called Argies. I've learned something new.