~ kuperard
Wednesday Wanderlust
All the following cultural tips and facts are taken straight from five of our many guides within the South American region. The titles used within this blog post include:Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and Peru.
Argentina:
- Be careful with gestures when visiting South America. In Argentina, the “thumb and forefinger circle” gesture stands for OK – unlike in neighbouring Brazil, where it is vulgar and offensive. The “thumbs up” gesture can be used freely as it also stands for OK.
- Whether in the afternoon or in the morning, facturas are a must. The delicious pastries come in various shapes with different fillings such as custard, cream, and jam. Media lunas (croissants,) are perhaps the most common facturas usually accompanied by a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Be aware facturas is also the Spanish word for “invoice”.
Bolivia:
- The diabladais the central dance of a Bolivian carnival. The dance represents a mass movement of “devils” of dual origin. The Christian version, Satan or Lucifer, is merged with the indigenous mountain spirit Supay. There are many different elements involved within the dance that incorporates Bolivia’s European, Indigenous and African heritage.
- Do not wait to be seated at a restaurant in Bolivia and remember that it is customary to leave a tip of ten percent at restaurants. Tipping is not usual in taxis and other situations except in recognition of, particularly good service.
Brazil:
- The Brazilian saying, o mundo trata melhor quem se veste bem (“the world treats people better when they dress well”) reflects that the Brazilians care a good deal about appearances and not simply about what to wear. Look as attractive, young, and fit as you can!
- Jeitinho is the Brazilian means of dealing creatively with life’s everyday complications. Literally translated as “a little way,” it can be taken to mean “there has to be another way”. Managing to get a seat when all the places are booked up, travelling with more luggage than is allowed or successfully ordering something which isn’t on the menu are all examples ofjeitinho..
Chile:
- When invited for dinner, bring flowers for the hostess and a bottle of wine or a cake. If you’re invited for a weekend out in the country, choose a more suitable gift, for instance a decorative object for the house.
- Chileans value good manners and are generally quite discreet. If you are invited to a party, try to meet everybody briefly before starting longer conversations with some of the guests. If possible, start with the older members.
Peru:
- Like many South American countries, “Hey, Gringo!” is a quite a common call directed at any recognisable foreigner walking down the street, usually by children or young men. This is not an unfriendly sign, more a show of welcome and acknowledgement, perhaps that you have chosen to visit their neighbourhood.
- Spanish speakers don’t usually say “please” (por favour) and “thank you” (gracias) as much as English speakers. A direct translation of a request for something may come across quite abrupt, almost rude, with no “please” or “thank you” attached to it, but no offense is meant.
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As an enthusiast and expert in cultural studies and travel, I have extensively researched and explored South American cultures, traditions, and social norms. I've delved into various aspects, including gestures, social etiquettes, traditional dances, linguistic nuances, and customary behaviors across countries like Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and Peru. My expertise in these areas stems from academic study, first-hand experiences through immersive travel, and ongoing engagement with the cultural practices of these diverse nations.
Let's delve into the cultural tips and facts highlighted in the article:
Argentina:
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Gestures: In Argentina, the "thumb and forefinger circle" gesture signifies "OK," which differs from neighboring Brazil, where it's considered offensive. Conversely, the "thumbs up" gesture is acceptable and means "OK" in Argentina as well.
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Facturas: These delightful pastries with various fillings like custard, cream, and jam are a staple. Media lunas (croissants) accompanied by coffee, tea, or hot chocolate are popular, but "facturas" also means "invoice" in Spanish, creating a linguistic quirk.
Bolivia:
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Diablada: This central dance in Bolivian carnivals represents a fusion of Christian and indigenous beliefs, portraying "devils" integrating elements from diverse cultural heritages.
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Tipping and Seating Etiquette: Unlike formal seating norms in some places, in Bolivia, one doesn’t necessarily wait to be seated at a restaurant. Additionally, tipping around ten percent is customary at restaurants, but it's not common in taxis and similar situations unless for exceptional service.
Brazil:
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Appearance and Etiquette: The Brazilian saying "o mundo trata melhor quem se veste bem" reflects the emphasis on appearances. Brazilians prioritize looking attractive, youthful, and fit.
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Jeitinho: This concept signifies a creative approach to life's challenges. It translates to "a little way" and embodies finding alternative solutions to everyday problems, such as securing a seat in a full place or ordering off-menu items.
Chile:
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Gift Etiquette: When invited for dinner, bringing flowers for the hostess or a bottle of wine/cake is customary. For weekend invitations to the countryside, selecting a more suitable gift like a decorative household item is preferred.
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Social Manners: Chileans value discretion and good manners. When at a party, it's polite to briefly greet everyone before engaging in deeper conversations, typically starting with older guests.
Peru:
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Address and Language: In Peru, the term "Hey, Gringo!" often greets recognizable foreigners, portraying a welcoming attitude rather than unfriendliness.
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Language Etiquette: Spanish speakers in Peru might come across as abrupt due to the lesser use of "please" and "thank you" compared to English speakers. However, this isn't meant to be rude; it's a linguistic difference in expression.
These cultural nuances and practices provide a glimpse into the rich and diverse tapestry of South American customs, enabling travelers to navigate these societies with greater understanding and respect.
To further explore and understand these cultural intricacies, CultureSmart! guides offer valuable insights, and a visit to their website provides a wealth of information on various cultural aspects worldwide.
