Newcomer Why are Porteños more miserable than all the other provinces?

[Tyrell Wellick]

Hi all!

I recently had my rentisa visa approved and I am excited to finally be able to create a base here after spending the past years with just a tourist visa living out of Airbnbs.

Anyway I have spent almost a month here in Buenos Aires finalising my DNI etc and have really noticed how damn miserable and dismissive the native “porteños” are compared to all the other provinces I have travelled and lived in. Does anyone have any explanations? My preferred province is Cordoba and thats where I plan to live and I never see much of that behavior there or suffer terrible service or attitude from the majority of interactions. It’s really not welcoming environment like I feel elsewhere has anyone else noticed this or it’s just me let me know!

 

[LyellLanatone]

Pretty basic stuff, psychology 101, they think they are special and when reality slaps them and says "you aren't special" they don't cope well

 

[rainbow]

Hey! I get where you’re coming from, but I wonder if your impression comes from having to deal with a lot of bureaucracy lately. Let me tell you, people who work for the government and in public offices, like the ones you’ve probably had to visit for your visa process, are generally frustrated with their jobs, and that might be why they come across as rude or dismissive.

I don’t think porteños are like that overall. In fact, if you Google it, you’ll even find the common saying that Cordobeses are the ones with big egos! 😆 But hey, I’m glad you’ve chosen Córdoba as your home, it’s a beautiful place to live.

 

[VINO]

Hi all!

I recently had my rentisa visa approved and I am excited to finally be able to create a base here after spending the past years with just a tourist visa living out of Airbnbs.

Anyway I have spent almost a month here in Buenos Aires finalising my DNI etc and have really noticed how damn miserable and dismissive the native “porteños” are compared to all the other provinces I have travelled and lived in. Does anyone have any explanations? My preferred province is Cordoba and thats where I plan to live and I never see much of that behavior there or suffer terrible service or attitude from the majority of interactions. It’s really not welcoming environment like I feel elsewhere has anyone else noticed this or it’s just me let me know!

People in BA aren't nearly as friendly as other provinces. Also the high prices and inflation make people miserable even if they won't admit it. Many of my friends from BA that were going out more out to eat have had to stay home. My friends are more grumpy lately.

Good service is not really what people in BA are known for. I've always had meh service at restaurants and bars. I wouldn't say it's not welcoming but not as friendly as other places. Especially lately.

 

[Blockchain]

Hi all!

I recently had my rentisa visa approved and I am excited to finally be able to create a base here after spending the past years with just a tourist visa living out of Airbnbs.

Anyway I have spent almost a month here in Buenos Aires finalising my DNI etc and have really noticed how damn miserable and dismissive the native “porteños” are compared to all the other provinces I have travelled and lived in. Does anyone have any explanations? My preferred province is Cordoba and thats where I plan to live and I never see much of that behavior there or suffer terrible service or attitude from the majority of interactions. It’s really not welcoming environment like I feel elsewhere has anyone else noticed this or it’s just me let me know!

It's not just you. I thought the same thing during my visit. My Spanish isn't good and I will be the first to admit it but I would try with Google Translate and people just get very impatient and frustrated. I was surprised about that because other places in Mexico and other Latin American cities like Lima were very friendly and seemed to be happy to have a foreigner visiting but I also thought people were grumpy in several places.

I didn't visit Cordoba but several people told me that people are friendlier throughout the rest of Argentina. I went to Iguazu and everyone was very friendly. I don't want it to seem like everywhere but I went to several stores and they couldn't be bothered to help. Restaurants were ok but I think it may be the economy.

 

[Larry]

Hi all!

I recently had my rentisa visa approved and I am excited to finally be able to create a base here after spending the past years with just a tourist visa living out of Airbnbs.

Anyway I have spent almost a month here in Buenos Aires finalising my DNI etc and have really noticed how damn miserable and dismissive the native “porteños” are compared to all the other provinces I have travelled and lived in. Does anyone have any explanations? My preferred province is Cordoba and thats where I plan to live and I never see much of that behavior there or suffer terrible service or attitude from the majority of interactions. It’s really not welcoming environment like I feel elsewhere has anyone else noticed this or it’s just me let me know!

Other countries are much friendlier. Porteños have more of an attitude. I prefer the people in Peru who are kind and friendly.

It was much better years ago but keeps getting worse.

People in BA aren't nearly as friendly as other provinces. Also the high prices and inflation make people miserable even if they won't admit it. Many of my friends from BA that were going out more out to eat have had to stay home. My friends are more grumpy lately.

Good service is not really what people in BA are known for. I've always had meh service at restaurants and bars. I wouldn't say it's not welcoming but not as friendly as other places. Especially lately.

I think this is true. My friends also cut back. I would meet up with friends more often for coffee or to get a meal but now with everything getting more expensive they are in a bad mood. The prices are very dear with everything. Utilities have gone up. Condo fees. Transportation. What is there not to be grumpy with? You would probably be grumpy too if you had to deal with this each month. @Tyrell Wellick stick around and we shall see what your mood is if cost of living keeps going up.

 

[Tyrell Wellick]

Other countries are much friendlier. Porteños have more of an attitude. I prefer the people in Peru who are kind and friendly.

It was much better years ago but keeps getting worse.


I think this is true. My friends also cut back. I would meet up with friends more often for coffee or to get a meal but now with everything getting more expensive they are in a bad mood. The prices are very dear with everything. Utilities have gone up. Condo fees. Transportation. What is there not to be grumpy with? You would probably be grumpy too if you had to deal with this each month. @Tyrell Wellick stick around and we shall see what your mood is if cost of living keeps going up.

Yeah I considered the strain of the current situation but other provinces have less opportunity and incomes so I guess that doesn’t really explain everything.

Peru is awesome yes Salkantay Trek to Machu Pichu blew my mind. The people really are awesome.

I do hope once this period of pain passes and Milei’s reconstruction start to pay off that the whole country comes together to prosper but decades of socialism is very very hard to recover from.

 

[Tyrell Wellick]

It's not just you. I thought the same thing during my visit. My Spanish isn't good and I will be the first to admit it but I would try with Google Translate and people just get very impatient and frustrated. I was surprised about that because other places in Mexico and other Latin American cities like Lima were very friendly and seemed to be happy to have a foreigner visiting but I also thought people were grumpy in several places.

I didn't visit Cordoba but several people told me that people are friendlier throughout the rest of Argentina. I went to Iguazu and everyone was very friendly. I don't want it to seem like everywhere but I went to several stores and they couldn't be bothered to help. Restaurants were ok but I think it may be the economy.

Yes exactly this in my experience for example we would walk into some shop or supermarket and say Buen Día, Hola q tal etc and be met with some unenthusiastic look as if to to say why are you bothering me and half of the people don’t even reply to you.

Another example in some coffeeshop in Palermo when i was ordering a coffee some 30 year old guy stops and stares at me and just says “the door” not even excuse me, permiso just straight up rude and entitled. I rarely experienced that in other Latam countries or other provinces of Argentina. It’s kinda sad because BA city is awesome apart from this behavior

 

[Betsy Ross]

Yes exactly this in my experience for example we would walk into some shop or supermarket and say Buen Día, Hola q tal etc and be met with some unenthusiastic look as if to to say why are you bothering me and half of the people don’t even reply to you.

Another example in some coffeeshop in Palermo when i was ordering a coffee some 30 year old guy stops and stares at me and just says “the door” not even excuse me, permiso just straight up rude and entitled. I rarely experienced that in other Latam countries or other provinces of Argentina. It’s kinda sad because BA city is awesome apart from this behavior

I have to laugh because it takes a while to get accustomed to. I don't think they really mean to be rude. I think that many don't realize how they come across. Some of my best friends have these mannerisms. I still think BA is pretty awesome but sometimes I see this same kind of thing in Italy.

 

[import export]

Yeah I considered the strain of the current situation but other provinces have less opportunity and incomes so I guess that doesn’t really explain everything.

Peru is awesome yes Salkantay Trek to Machu Pichu blew my mind. The people really are awesome.

I do hope once this period of pain passes and Milei’s reconstruction start to pay off that the whole country comes together to prosper but decades of socialism is very very hard to recover from.

It is not just you. Argentines aren't as friendly as people from other countries in Latin America. That is almost universally agreed by many that I know. Not to say they are not friendly but not as friendly as in other places. Here in Brazil generally people are happy. They like to see foreigners. In Peru people always have a smile on their face and will help you. Very nice people.

Here people are friendly too. But there are also many people that are grumpy or in a bad mood for whatever reason. Socialism will do that to a society.

 

[Spend Thrift]

Hi all!

I recently had my rentisa visa approved and I am excited to finally be able to create a base here after spending the past years with just a tourist visa living out of Airbnbs.

Anyway I have spent almost a month here in Buenos Aires finalising my DNI etc and have really noticed how damn miserable and dismissive the native “porteños” are compared to all the other provinces I have travelled and lived in. Does anyone have any explanations? My preferred province is Cordoba and thats where I plan to live and I never see much of that behavior there or suffer terrible service or attitude from the majority of interactions. It’s really not welcoming environment like I feel elsewhere has anyone else noticed this or it’s just me let me know!

Not just you. I noticed the same thing. I don't want to say everyone but it was surprising how often this happens. Especially with obvious tourists. I am taking Spanish lessons and think it is ok but sometimes I think people see an overweight gringo and immediately they lose patience even before I say anything.

I would think they would be even kinder to tourists or foreigners but I don't see that. Sometimes I actually think they get frustrated to see foreigners spending money here which goes against logic.

 

[Uncle Wong]

Yes exactly this in my experience for example we would walk into some shop or supermarket and say Buen Día, Hola q tal etc and be met with some unenthusiastic look as if to to say why are you bothering me and half of the people don’t even reply to you.

Another example in some coffeeshop in Palermo when i was ordering a coffee some 30 year old guy stops and stares at me and just says “the door” not even excuse me, permiso just straight up rude and entitled. I rarely experienced that in other Latam countries or other provinces of Argentina. It’s kinda sad because BA city is awesome apart from this behavior

I also had this happen. In other countries you would say hola and they would immediately smile and be very friendly. Or if you said gracias in another country they will say con mucho gusto and really appreciate you and mean it. Many times I would say thank you and wouldn't get any response at all.

I always say hello but I would be stumped as my Spanish is good. At first I thought it was some kind of racism because I'm of Chinese descent but I think they are like that with everyone. My American gringo friends had the same experience.

I think it might be just the terrible economy. That was the only thing I didn't like about BA.

 

[Jenn]

That was the only thing I didn't like about BA.

What about the dog poop on the sidewalks?

 

[LyellLanatone]

What about the dog poop on the sidewalks?

You get used to it

 

[JonJLA]

You get used to it

Very true. Unfortunately. I do think it is getting better. When I first bought my apartment no one picked up but now I do occasionally see Porteños picking up but I still see a lot that don't care.