Re: These prices are killing me - 2

[ramon]

As if reporting it will change the behaviour of the inhabitants here. They have no shame in trying to charge whatever they can on any given day.
There is very little accountability

 

[nikad]

Well, with that attitude, you will just keep getting owned here. I do not like to be owned, so I report it.

 

[sergio]

I agree with Nikad. There might be more accountability if people complained more and reported dishonest business practices. I have heard that the consumer agency Nikad mentions can be helpful.

 

[cbphoto]

Hi, I just arrived in BsAs, after 6 years in Turkey. I found myself bickering and complaining about the culture there, the prices, greed etc... The inflation of those years with next to no increase in pay... has caused the culture to become one of people looking after only their own needs, seemingly with no regard for others...the "rich" get "richer"...the poor suffer. I have been here for a mere 3 months, but I can tell you this...maybe it's time for all of you to pay a visit to where you came from, or stop complaining so much, and get on living. I can tell you that the cost of living in the USA, Europe and Turkey is 3-5 times that of here...I own property in Istanbul, and live off the rent whilst looking for property here... The apartment in Istanbul is 100m2 & my bills are as follows (in U$S per month) 120$ gas, 30$ electric, 40$ phone, 40$ cable, 40$dsl..... Cigs 4$ (5 euro in europe) bottle of shit wine 15$, milk 2 $ 1l, Taki 2$ the sec you get in, and about 2$ per km, dining for 2 with wine in a decent restaurant 100$ minimumI know that many of you earn your pesos here (a guess) so you are feeling the crunch...but for your buck...this city is full of wonderful museums, galleries, creative designers and artists, that with very little, produce goods to be enjoyed by many.... Maybe you should all take another look at what many wonders this place does have...

 

[sergio]

In a country like Turkey western expats might not have the same expectations that they have in BA, a city that has many pretensions about being "European" and sophisticated. If BA looked less European in terms of people and architecture, if the educational level were lower expats might not hold the city up to the standards that Portenos themselves use as models. Most expats live in a kind of protection zone - Barrio Norte, Puerto Madero, Palermo, Belgrano, Zona Norte....They get used to a first world perspective that is not so much the case outside these areas. Most of Argentina is poor and the concerns expressed in a lot of posts here become absurd in relation to the basic issues of decent nutrition, housing, education and medical care that are so pervasive in the country. Argentina is relatively 1st world in some areas and clearly 3rd world in large parts of the country. It's fairly easy to live in the expat bubble and assume that the stahdards of western Europe and the US really apply.

 

[cbphoto]

Having lived in Turkey, it struggles with the conflict between Western and Eastern cultures.... at this time they unfortunately have embraced so many of the western demons (Big SUV, Rolex watch, consumerism) yet at the same time the taxes do not go to paving the roads, womens rights, freedom of speech/expression) all bundled up in an extreme nationalism that they are the best at everything.... the educated classes are leaving to work abroad..little if no money is spent on museums, history,culture, public works, parks, education..... yet the cost of living/taxes are much the same as in it's European neighbors....I have not lived here long enough to see the what damage is being done to the "financially poor", but have joined a group of concerned Argentines and x.pats to address some of the problems....and offer my services as a photographer
To put it simply... i find it repulsive to hear the x.pats on this blog complaining like spoiled little children about a peso here a peso there.... I have not read anyone coming up with and constructive ideas to improve the standards for all.........have any of these people been to the MMBA for starters? I almost fainted at the incredible collection of national and international art.... for what I remember to be something like U$S3....(yes I am sure it was U$S1 a year ago) the wonderful parks....the architecture...etc....

 

[ramon]

Mr Turkey
I say to you thay you take the rose coloured glasses off and see how expensive it is for most Argentinians.
Unfortunately you look at prices with Euros on your mind when we earn pesos and a average wage is only 1200 pesos about 250 Euros per month.
Most expats live in Palermo, Recoleta and similar neighbourhoods where the Rich have become obscenely rich the last few years . This is supposed to be a socialist country but the divide has become wider than ever.
For most Working class Argentines they pay very high prices for the most basic of products.

 

[Matty]

ramon, I get you. The gap between the HAVE and HAVE NOTS is so huge,eventually the dwindling middle class will disappear in Argentina.
Culture (art, paintings, sculpture, music, great architecture, dancing..) is great but last time I checked it cannot really consistently put food on the table, send kids to college, pay the basic daily expenses. So a good musuem in a nice city is always good but a better government project is to permanently address the basic needs of "los cartoneros". Yesterday, I saw a family of 3 girls going over the basura looking for morsels to eat (they found loose stale bread) - in the very same orange with black trash can a young couple tossed their dog's poop about 2 hours prior. Even in the nasty, oozing with sewage in Asia I never saw anything like this.
Prices will continue to rise, sadly. And since there is not much the public can do - complaining has become a "sport". Some are really very good at it than others. Complaining is a better (por gratis) therapy than a pill or a visit to a head shrink.
People will not stop complaining, it is part of human nature; light too bright, not bright enough, food very good, food have no taste, lots of dog droppings, not enough dog droppings, wine is good, wine unlike the quality of those found in Napa Valleys or not Bordeaux enough, etc. etc. I like to listen to people complain, they give their best speeches when they have something to complain about. It is part of life in Argentina, complaining. Embrace it and join in.

 

[sergio]

I agree that it is human nature to complain. I was trying to make the point that expats live in a kind of protection zone that largely isolates them from the realities of poverty in Argentina. Complaining about inflation and high prices may seem petty when the person complaining is well off. Inflation, however, is a very serious problem for most Argentines - especially for those outside the Barrio Norte protection zone. $1,200 is a good wage here. Most Argentines make a lot less. Culture is important but to really appreciate it you need education. Education is in a terrible state in Argentina. If expsts want to help there are social welfare projects they can get involved in. The Catholic Church and some Protestant denominations are very involved in this work.

 

[cbphoto]

I joined a group called www.helpargentina.org which seems to addressing some of these problems. Unfortunately a few weeks ago I offered photographic services... ( I am an advertising photographer, and have done work in other countries, pro bono for education, childrens health, autistic education, etc...) but no one has returned the e mail :/ Will try again in the New Year (next week)I am not familiar enough with the politics of how this country is run, of what i hear it is the standard corrupt affair that seems to be the norm in most countries....