I'm entertained by the efforts of some of the natives to demonstrate their facility with the English language and in one case the supercillious correction of someone's math. More significantly, I'm surprised (though perhaps I shouldn't be) how justifying higher prices for non-residents morphs into justifying outright illegal price gouging such as the pass given to dishonest port taxis. Che, the important question is not whether the correct expression is "Argentina should be for Argentines" or "Argentina should be accessible to Argentines." Rather, it is "what is fair and ethical for non-Argentines."
I can comprehend the argument that it is fair to charge non-residents a higher tarriff to access municipal and government owned venues. Locals presumably pay taxes that either create or support those venues be they museums, parks, or the Colon. An entry price for non-residents of twice what locals pay doesn't offend me (ten times does). However, just as I refuse to pay $25 to enter the MOMA in NYC, I personally would not pay US$25 for a 45 minute tour of the Colon unless I was convinced it was really worth it. It may be.
What I perceive as not fair is a higher price for entry to non-governental, commercial venues. For example, I do not understand why a non-resident should pay more to enter the fairs at La Rural, to see a tango extravaganza, or for passage on a privately owned airline. And what I perceive as really unethical is the outright cheating engaged in by taxis at the port. To justify such cheating on the grounds that tourists are fair game because they earn more is insidious nonsense. Would it be okay for a restaurant to overcharge (cheat) a non-resident on that basis...
Don't cheat tourists because they live in more affluent societies. If you want to level the economic playing field, elect a government that can implement effective policies that will eventually bring Argentines closer to those tourists in purchasing power. That the entry fee to the Colon tour almost doubled in one fell swoop (if I may be permitted to round off) is symptomatic of the inefficiency of current government.
p.s. Let's not confuse "mala onda" with righteous indignation. If locals bear in mind the righteous indignation of visitors, they may even be inspired to take corrective action. And to the extent some local crookster thinks I'm creating mala onda if I were to bust him and give him a hard time, then I say he deserves it and more.
I can comprehend the argument that it is fair to charge non-residents a higher tarriff to access municipal and government owned venues. Locals presumably pay taxes that either create or support those venues be they museums, parks, or the Colon. An entry price for non-residents of twice what locals pay doesn't offend me (ten times does). However, just as I refuse to pay $25 to enter the MOMA in NYC, I personally would not pay US$25 for a 45 minute tour of the Colon unless I was convinced it was really worth it. It may be.
What I perceive as not fair is a higher price for entry to non-governental, commercial venues. For example, I do not understand why a non-resident should pay more to enter the fairs at La Rural, to see a tango extravaganza, or for passage on a privately owned airline. And what I perceive as really unethical is the outright cheating engaged in by taxis at the port. To justify such cheating on the grounds that tourists are fair game because they earn more is insidious nonsense. Would it be okay for a restaurant to overcharge (cheat) a non-resident on that basis...
Don't cheat tourists because they live in more affluent societies. If you want to level the economic playing field, elect a government that can implement effective policies that will eventually bring Argentines closer to those tourists in purchasing power. That the entry fee to the Colon tour almost doubled in one fell swoop (if I may be permitted to round off) is symptomatic of the inefficiency of current government.
p.s. Let's not confuse "mala onda" with righteous indignation. If locals bear in mind the righteous indignation of visitors, they may even be inspired to take corrective action. And to the extent some local crookster thinks I'm creating mala onda if I were to bust him and give him a hard time, then I say he deserves it and more.
f.
