I totally agree. I have often thought that the "countries" (gated communities) around the city are replicas of upper middle class US suburbs: nice or even extravagant free standing homes, clean and safe streets but unlike the US in Argentina there is a huge network of private security to keep out intruders. The police can't be trusted to do it, so people have to pay privately. In addition to their artificial gated neighborhoods, private schools have sprung up to serve the residents who can't use the state schools, quite unlike the US where public schools in affluent areas are usually good or even competitive with good private schools. I also fail to see where there is any moral superiority among Argentines for supposedly being less materialistic. I see materialism all over the place along with a strong focus on outward appearances (clothes, brands, etc) that is less true in the US (in fact I wish US citizens took a little more interest in how they dressed!). I quite agree that Americans work too much and do NOT have enough vacation time. They have a hard time relaxing which is why you don't see cafes all over the place in US cities as in Argentina. Americans get nervous sitting around chatting for an hour or two. It's a pity but that may also be what built a strong economy over the years. I also agree that the family has greatly deteriorated in the US but this is a social phenomenon all over the world, just more pronounced in some places. Argentina also has a high divorce rate and, as has been discussed here before, there is an extremely high abortion rate. Abortion has to be considered just one more sign of the decay of the family. In the end I find that what matters is not a kiss on the cheek but whether you can rely on someone when you need that help. My closest friend is Argentine, someone in whom I have total confidence. I have other Argentine friends whom I can rely on. It's not about hugs and kisses but about sincere human relationships. There are Americans who are just as reliable. I know some. The relationships we form depend on ourselves, not the nationality or even the culture of the person. I know people from many different countries but despite cultural differences, I can distinguish between those of good character and those less so. It annoys me to hear Argentines who have never even been to the US make judgments but they often persist in doing so. In another post on this site I talked about the friend in Ohio who invited her Argentine woman friend and husband to visit. The husband is an academic and virulently anti American. When they got to Ohio they were overwhelmed by the kindness of the neighbors. They got invitations to dinner, to barbecues, to the swim club etc. The husband didn't know how to react because it destroyed his negative image of the "cold" Americans. I'd also add that I find a lot of Americans generous with their money, not only with charity which is widespread in the US but with friends. I know that Argentines have much less money to give and there is mistrust in charitable organizations because or corruption but what has created the corruption? Why is there more transparency in the US?
Sergio, As you say so well, I think so much of it is come down to the individual person, not the country, culture or race/ethnic group that person is from. I think that Portenos are rude in general (they almost never say thank you after you let them pass first on the a sidewalk where construction is being done; parents block the entire sidewalk, waiting to pick up their children at school; cars cut you off when you are crossing the street legally, etc.), but my porteno friends are not like that, they are some of the nicest, politest, most helpful people I have ever met. And, you know, maybe most
Argentines were never taught to say thank you on the street, or most Argentines do not think it is rude to block the entire sidewalk when you are waiting for your children. They also don't seem to mind when taxis cut them off in a crosswalk. Sometimes when we let someone pass on the sidewalk and he/she doesn't say anything, my wife will say "you're welcome" or "de nada." Sometimes they look totally confused by what she's said. That is the problem with negative stereotypes, not only do they overgeneralize, but the perspective behind them is also culturally bound. What I mean by that is that different people may have different perspectives on whether those behaviors are rude, based on their cultural values.
Concerning materialism, as you say and others have said, the whole world has become more materialistic, or the part of it whose incomes have increased significantly over the last few decades. I think of all the McMansions in the States, and I am not talking about even large, upper middle class houses, but houses that are enormous and are built only to impress. And yet, most Americans do not live in those houses; it's a very small percentage of folks. But we do seem to spend some much of our time shopping and we are so commerce focused- in the sense of spending hours trying to get the best deal, so that we will have more to spend on more things later?
I think it's nice that lots of stores are closed on Sunday here, the way it used to be in the States, but when you go to the malls here on Sundays, they are packed with Argentines. And all those Argentines going to Miami in part to buy things. They could buy those things (clothes, electronics, etc.) in Argentina, but they wouldn't be able to buy as much, or as many, or the lastest and the greatest. And they are not just buying necessities; they want more and more stuff, just like the rest of the world. And some of us may not buy lots of things, but we love to accumulate experiences, like travel. I don't see a real difference there.
And you say, but travel is educational. Yes, but most of already have lots of education, but we want more experiences, just like some people want more clothes, electronics, a bigger house, etc. It's all the same. Maybe Argentines see Americans as materialistic because they see us with more stuff we don't really need. For them the more stuff you have, the more materialistic you are, regardless, even though you may not be spending a large percentage of your income on that stuff than they are on their stuff.
