World Country Guide

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Food & Drink
North American, Continental and Middle Eastern cuisine is generally available, whilst local food is largely a mixture of Basque, Spanish and Italian. Beef is of a particularly high quality and meat-eaters should not miss out on the chance to dine at a parrillada, or grill room, where a large variety of barbecue-style dishes can be sampled. Popular local dishes include empanadas (minced meat and other ingredients covered with puff pastry) and locro (pork and maize stew). In general, restaurants are good value. They are classified by a fork sign with three forks implying a good evening out. Hotel residents are usually asked to sign a charge slip.
Argentine wines are very good and inexpensive. Local distilleries produce their own brands of most well-known spirits. Whiskies and gins are excellent, as are classic and local wines. Caribbean and South American rum adds flavour to cocktails. There are no licensing laws.

Nightlife
Buenos Aires’ nightlife is vibrant. There are many theatres and concert halls showcasing foreign artists. Nightclubs featuring jazz and tango are plentiful. Tango lessons and dancing can be enjoyed at lively milongas (tango parties), throughout Buenos Aires. There are also many intimate boîtes (clubs) and stage shows. There are casinos throughout Argentina.

Shopping
Buenos Aires has traditionally enjoyed a reputation as a shopper’s paradise, possibly of even being the best shopping city in Latin America. Leather goods are a good buy, as are native crafts and souvenirs. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-2000, Sat 0900-1300. In the outskirts and provinces, they tend to close at midday.

Special Events
For a full list of special events, contact the National Tourist Board. The following is a selection of special events occurring in Argentina in 2005:
Feb 28-Mar 5 Buenos Aires Tango Festival. Mar Luis Palau Mendoza Festival. Mar 3-6 Feriagro Argentina. Mar 21-26 Holy Week, Salta. Apr 13-May 9 Buenos Aires Book Fair. Jul 7 International Video-Dance Festival, Buenos Aires. Jul 15-18 FIA World Rally Championship, Cordoba. Aug 16-24 Snow Festival. Oct 7-19 International Guitar Festival, Buenos Aires. Nov 6 Buenos Aires Pride. Nov 15-Dec 14 Polo Argentine Open (polo competition).

Social Conventions
The most common form of greeting between friends is kissing cheeks. When invited to somebody’s house it is quite common to take a homemade dish or dessert. Dinner is usually served between 2100-2200. Avoid casual discussion of the Falklands/Malvinas war. Dress is not usually formal, though clothes should be conservative away from the beach. Formal wear is worn for official functions and dinners, particularly in exclusive restaurants. Smoking is prohibited on public transport, in cinemas and theatres. Tipping: Tips are theoretically outlawed but some hotels or restaurants will add 25 per cent service charge, plus a 21 per cent tax charge. In these cases, a minimal tip is still expected. Otherwise, 10 per cent on top of the bill will suffice. The same applies in bars. Taxi drivers tend to expect tips from visitors.