Tips and Tricks: Part 1

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Each country has its own little quirks. Argentina is no exception. The following are a few different things that I have encountered in the one week that I have been in this country.

1) In the United States, some people look for sympathy in order to get handouts by bringing their dog with them to beg on the streets. They do this in Argentina too, though in Argentina it’s more common to see women do this with their children. For example, when I first arrived in Rosario, I saw a lady with her baby walking through the cafes asking for handouts. Later that same day, I saw the same woman and baby in a cell phone store buying a 900 peso cell phone. So be wary of these women, they have more money than they claim to.

2) While sitting and having a drink with friends at a table on the sidewalk at a local café, a small girl aged maybe 5 or 6 came up to all the people at every table and started leaving little sheets of stickers at the tables. I was about to pick them up to look at them when my friend told me to leave them alone because if we grab them, the girl will really press you for money. It’s best to just leave them alone and say, “No, gracias” when the girl comes back around for money.

3) There are some bars in Argentina that require you to take a ticket as you enter and the bartenders will write down everything that you drink or eat on the ticket and then you will pay as you leave. However, if you happen to lose this ticket, you are required to pay a lot more. For example, the bar I visited earlier gave out tickets and required you to pay 75 pesos if you lost it. If you show up at one of these places, DO NOT simply put the ticket in your pocket. You have to keep very close tabs on it. I’ve heard stories of places like this who will hire a couple of people try and take your ticket away. They won’t take everyone’s, just enough for them to stay under the radar. Just be sure to keep in it a place where no one will think to look or want to look.

4) In South America, internet cafes are the best and cheapest way to keep in touch with loved ones back home. Though here you must be cautious as well. The last couple of internet places I have been to have given me 5 minutes less than what I paid for. The first time I had a suspicion because I was constantly checking the time to see when I should be back home. So I went to the same place and timed it and found that my suspicions were correct. Conscious of what had happened before, I timed the next place I went to and found the same thing. It’s not like there is much you can do about it, but it can give you an idea of which cafes are good and which are bad.

These are the tips and tricks that I have encountered while being here for only 1 week, as I learn more I will surely post a sequel.

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Comments

[Monica]

I saw this!
I was in Yakima for Christmas and there was this lady trying for the pity trick and I didn't have the heart to tell her that the fact that she was wearing a better coat than I was made it so I wasn't inclined to help out. In fact, she was wearing a giant, brand new, down lined winter jacket. And I saw her at 4 different locations in one day. Yeah, not about to "donate" to someone who looks that warm! (how to Pesos and dollars convert, btw?) Monica