Living in a different culture is a bizarre thing. There’s a sort of push and pull to it. English culture vs Argentinian culture. Sticking by some of my English customs but also letting myself be moulded on some things, by the culture and way of life here.
I’ve realised recently, through a few expat events, some of the Argentinian customs that Ive embraced, without even noticing it. The first of these things being the kiss greeting. At an expat thing a few weeks ago one of the ladies got up and started leaving and I caught myself being like, “oh! She’s just going! She’s not giving us all a hug and a kiss! How strange!”, which is hilarious that I thought that, because I never much liked the whole greetings and saying goodbye to every. Single. Person thing! Well. Truthfully, if its a room full of people who I don’t know I still don’t love it like. Am I really supposed to go and say hello and give a kiss on the cheek to every single person at church, and then again when I’m leaving? Its a bit of a faff if you ask me. But in a small group of people, all of whom I know, I found it a bit odd, though I wasnt offended. And the fact that I found it odd is inherently, odd! Especially being British and having a high regard for personal space. Which, by the way, having spoken to my students recently about this, isn’t even really a concept here 😂
And then the other thing that I’ve particularly noticed, is the attitude and assumption of sharing what you have with other people around you, in terms of food. Ive come a long way since my gap year 8 years ago! I bought a packet of muffins, thinking they’d make for a perfect pick-me-up later when I was feeling a bit peckish, and I remember later the Argentinian missionary who was helping us settle into the culture, questioned why I hadnt immediately opened up the packet and offered them round! Now, it’s not that Im giving muffins out left right and centre, certainly not! But I noticed when we went to the lake a few Saturdays ago with two expat pals, myself and Noly bought along a whole load of things to share. A huge bidon of water, another drink with 4 plastic cups, a huge packet of crisps and various other snacks. And in the end, we were the only ones to have any of these things! I guess maybe in England it’s a bit forward, would you say, to accept to share? Idk, it’s funny, I just realise in these kinds of moments that this culture has had an influence on me, even without me realising it. So watch out guys! When we’re home in July I’m gonna be coming all up into ya personal space, enforcing a sharing routine and giving you a kiss on the cheek to say hi and bye! Haha.
But anyways, it’s weird and fun and cool to see the influence of culture. Now that Nolz and I are married we have our own lil mixed culture in our house. I definitely still have English customs dont worry, dinner is had by 8.30 at the latest if I have my way (that may sound late but thats pretty early here), I am a planner and I like to arrive on time! But it’s fun taking some things from one culture and mixing them and having the best of both worlds 😊
Anyways! As I mentioned, we went to the lake the other weekend and have done some things with the expats lately, so I shall leave you with some pictures of recent events, one of which being my first ever time riding solo on the jet ski!
That’s all for now though, toodles!
Nadia's Adventures 