Intercultural Communication

The Argentine Tango

Kustár Kitti, Mzayik Szabrina
Part 1
Basic information
Argentina (or República Argentina) is a country of South America, covering most of the
southern portion of the continent. The world’s eighth largest country, Argentina occupies an
area more extensive than Mexico and the U.S. state of Texas combined. The capital city is
Buenos Aires. The official language is Spanish. Form of government is federal republic with 2
legislative houses (Senate:72 members, Chamber of Deputies:257 members). They use peso.
Geography
Argentina’s varied geography can be grouped into four major regions: the Andes, the North,
the Pampas, and Patagonia. The Andean region extends along the western edge of the country
from Bolivia to southern Patagonia, forming most of the natural boundary with Chile.
Argentina’s fauna and flora vary widely from the country’s mountainous zones to its dry and
humid plains and its subpolar regions. In heavily settled regions the makeup of plant and
animal life has been profoundly modified. Argentina’s landscape encompasses immense
plains, deserts, tundra, and forests, as well as tall mountains, rivers, and thousands of miles of
ocean shoreline. Argentina also claims a portion of Antarctica, as well as several islands in the
South Atlantic, including the British-ruled Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). The climate is
mostly subtropical. Its highest peak is the Aconcagua (6960m), which is a mountain in the
Principal Cordillera of the Andes mountain range, in Mendoza Province. Its longest river is
the Paraná River (4880km).
People
The population is around 46 million people in Argentina. Heavy immigration, particularly
from Spain and Italy, has produced people who are almost all of European ancestry. The
Italian influence on Argentine culture became the most important of any immigrant group,
and Italian is still widely spoken in Buenos Aires. Other major foreign influences have come
from Spanish and Polish immigrants. In the colonial period, though, the Spanish explorers
and settlers encountered a number of native peoples, but mostly they were exterminated and
driven away.
Spanish is the national language, although in Argentina it is spoken in several accents and has
absorbed many words from other languages, especially Italian. Numerous foreign languages
and dialects can be heard, from Basque and Sicilian to Welsh and Gaelic. Toward the end of
the 19th century, an underworld language called lunfardo developed in Buenos Aires,
composed of words from many languages—among them Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, French,
German, and languages from Africa. Lunfardo is now often heard in the lyrics of tango music.
About four-fifths of Argentine people are at least nominally Roman Catholic; the majority of
them are nonpracticing. The faith’s influence, however, is strongly reflected in government
and society. The Jewish community of Argentina is the largest in South America.
Historical facts
Spanish explorer Juan Diaz visited the area now called Argentina and claimed it for the
Spanish crown. The world’s largest river mouth that spans the gap between Uruguay and
Argentina, Rio de la Plata, was named by Juan Diaz, inferring that Argentina and the river
were filled with silver. In 1535, Buenos Aires was founded by Pedro de Mendoza. The
Argentinian flag is blue and white triband, with a yellow sun in the centre. The flag was
adopted in 1812, four years before Argentina won its independence from Spain. It is a light
blue and white, the colours of which were chosen by the leader of the Argentine revolution,
Manual Belgrano. It represents the parting of a blue sky to reveal white clouds. The yellow
sun which features on the centre of the flag is known as the ‘Sun of May’ which represents
the Incan god of the sun, Inti. The May part of the name refers to the May Revolution in 1810
which marked the start of the independence movement from the Spanish Empire. In 1816,
Argentina gained independence from Spain. In 1880 Buenos Aires became capital of
Argentina.

Economy
Argentina’s economy, which is one of the more powerful in the region, is dependent on
services and manufacturing, although agribusiness and ranching dominated the economy for
much of the 19th and 20th centuries. Argentina still produces more grain than any
other country in Latin America and is second in cattle raising only to Brazil, and its receipts
from tourism are second in the region only to those of Mexico. Buenos Aires is often called
the Paris of South America because of its European flair, its nightlife, and its many
educational institutions, museums, monuments, and theatres, including the historic Colón
Theatre. Argentina is one of the world’s major exporters of soybeans and wheat, as well as
meat. It is also one of the largest producers of wool and wine, but most of its wine
is consumed domestically. However, the country has withstood a number of economic
downturns, including periods of high inflation and unemployment during the late 20th century
and a major financial crisis in the early 21st century.
Culture
Almost all Argentines are descendants of immigrants from Europe, and Argentine culture is a
lively blend of European customs and Latin American innovations. Whereas earlier
generations of intellectuals, writers, composers, filmmakers, and visual artists looked to
European models, the country has developed artistic forms that are uniquely Argentine—most
famously the tango, the sexually charged dance of the Buenos Aires dockside district, as well
as the dense, metaphysical stories of Jorge Luis Borges, which evoke the back alleys of the
capital and the vast Pampas alike. One of Argentina’s great cultural hybrids is the tango, a
music style and dance that emerged from the poor immigrant quarters of Buenos Aires toward
the end of the 19th century and quickly became famous around the world as a symbol of
Argentine culture. Influenced by the Spanish tango and possibly the Argentine milonga, it was
originally a high-spirited local phenomenon, but, after it was popularized by romantic singers
such as Carlos Gardel, it became an elegant ballroom form characterized by romantic
and melancholy tunes. By the end of the 20th century, the tango had lost some of its appeal
among the nation’s youth, who generally preferred dancing to rock and pop music in local
discotheques; nevertheless, it has remained popular among the older generation and foreigners
and has continued to evolve under the influence of such artists as Astor Piazzolla and Roberto
Fripo. The most popular sport among the Argentine working class is football (soccer),
introduced by the British in the 19th century. Argentine teams are generally among the best
internationally and are often contenders for the World Cup.
Another symbol of national identity is the gaucho, who occupies a position in South American
lore similar to that of the cowboy in the United States. Scorned in his heyday of the 18th and
19th centuries as a drinker and vagabond, this mestizo ranch hand rode the open rangeland of
the huge estancias in pursuit of wild horses and cattles. Eventually Argentines came to see
him as a character whose solitary life taught him self-reliance, courage, indifference to
hardship, and love of the land—traits that represented the ideal of their national character as
set out in the national epic poem El gaucho Martin Fierro (1872) by José Hernández.
In Argentina, breakfast is generally a serving of three sweet rolls (medialunas) and coffee in
the French fashion, and supper is taken, in the Spanish tradition, after 9:00 PM, often
featuring Italian dishes. They love beef cooked on the grill (parrilla), which is
overwhelmingly preferred to other meats and fish. Argentina consumes more beef per capita
than any other nation except Uruguay, twice the amount per capita as the United States.
Buenos Aires is renowned for its steakhouses (asados criollos, but nearly every culinary
tradition is represented in one or more of the city’s restaurants. Maté, the native tea-like
beverage brewed from yerba maté leaves, is popular in the countryside and is drunk from a
gourd through a strainer; it is either sipped individually or shared in an important social ritual.
Sources: https://www.britannica.com/place/Argentina
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
Part 2
Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory
Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory, developed by Geert Hofstede, is a framework used to
understand the differences in culture across countries and to discern the ways that business is
done across different cultures.

The power distance index considers the extent to which inequality and power are tolerated.
In this dimension, inequality and power are viewed from the viewpoint of the followers – the
lower level.

 A high - power distance index indicates that a culture accepts inequity and power
differences, encourages bureaucracy, and shows high respect for rank and authority.
 A low power distance index indicates that a culture encourages organizational
structures, decision-making, responsibility, participative management style, and
emphasis on power distribution.

The individualism vs. collectivism dimension considers the degree to which societies are
integrated into groups and their perceived obligations and dependence on groups.

 Individualism indicates that there is a greater importance placed on attaining personal

goals. A person’s self-image in this category is defined as “I.”
 Collectivism indicates that there is a greater importance placed on the goals and well-
being of the group. A person’s self-image in this category is defined as “We.
The uncertainty avoidance index considers the extent to which uncertainty and ambiguity
are tolerated. This dimension considers how unknown situations and unexpected events are
dealt with.

 A high uncertainty avoidance index indicates a low tolerance for uncertainty,

ambiguity, and risk-taking. The unknown is minimized through strict rules,
regulations, etc.
 A low uncertainty avoidance index indicates a high tolerance for uncertainty,
ambiguity, and risk-taking. The unknown is more openly accepted, and there are rules,
regulations, etc.

The masculinity vs. femininity dimension is also referred to as “tough vs. tender” and
considers the preference of society for achievement, attitude toward sexuality equality,
behaviour, etc.

 Masculinity comes with the following characteristics: distinct gender roles, assertive,
and concentrated on material achievements and wealth-building.
 Femininity comes with the following characteristics: fluid gender roles, modest,
nurturing, and concerned with the quality of life

The long-term orientation vs. short-term orientation dimension considers the extent to
which society views its time horizon.

 Long-term orientation shows focus on the future and involves delaying short-term
success or gratification in order to achieve long-term success. Long-term orientation
emphasizes persistence, perseverance, and long-term growth.
 Short-term orientation shows focus on the near future, involves delivering short-term
success or gratification, and places a stronger emphasis on the present than the future.
Short-term orientation emphasizes quick results and respect for tradition

The indulgence vs. restraint dimension considers the extent and tendency for a society to
fulfill its desires. In other words, this dimension revolves around how societies can control
their impulses and desires.

 Indulgence indicates that society allows relatively free gratification related to enjoying
life and having fun.
 Restraint indicates that society suppresses gratification of needs and regulates it
through social norms.
Hungary Argentina
power distance: 46% power distance: 49%
individualism: 80% individualism: 46%
masculinity: 88% masculinity: 56%
uncertainty avoidance: 82% uncertainty avoidance: 86%
long term orientation: 58% long term orientation: 20%
indulgence: 31% indulgence: 62%
Sources: https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/management/hofstedes-cultural-
dimensions-theory/
https://www.hofstede-insights.com/fi/product/compare-countries/
Part 3
Gannon’s Cultural Metaphor
A cultural metaphor is an activity, phenomenon or institution which all or most members of an
ethnic or national culture consider important and with which they identify closely both
intellectually and emotionally. Cultural metaphors reflect the underlying values of a culture. It
helps outsiders to describe and understand the essential features of a society. Also, it is
essential for every day life and business meetings, as well as respecting others.
Bureaucracy: Midsize to large organizations in Argentina tend to be hierarchical structures,
with formal authority and decision-making flowing from the top down. The majority of
businesses in Argentina are small-scale operations. In this you would expect less hierarchy
and formality. It is understood that those in power will benefit from privileges and special
advantages. Hiring a family and friends is viewed positively in this environment, and once
hired, it is expected that their employment will be protected. Loyalty is expected in exchange
for such protection. Patriarchal structures are common. As an outsider, one should not expect
to exercise formal authority without building relationship first.
Security: Argentine value security and are motivated to maintain stability even under difficult
conditions. However, dissatisfaction may brew under the surface and erupt in a heated debate
or argument. In business dealings, they do not appreciate surprises, and expect major themes
and details to be conveyed early so that they do not appear to be thrown in carelessly or to
create an unfair advantage.
Emotions: