Argentinian food is heavily influenced by Spanish and Italian traditions, including breads, pasta, pizza, and empanadas. Indigenous produce include quinoa, chayote, chilies, squash, sweet potatoes, melons, and corn. Argentinians eat and export a lot of beef, and are one of the largest exporters of wine. Stews are also common in Argentina, including puchero , or stewpot, which includes meat, potatoes, celery, chard, carrots, beans, turnips, and may be served in a baked pumpkin shell. Locro is a national dish of Incan origin, made of hominy and root vegetables seasoned with onions, cumin, and pepper, and sometimes meat.
A common breakfast is a croissant-like pastry called a media lunas, eaten with coffee or tea.
Popular sweets include Dulce de leche, caramelized milk. Pan dulce is a sweet bread popular around Christmastime.
Most Argentinians are of European descent, and greetings resemble European styles. Both men and women frequently greet each other with a firm handshake and eye-contact, and may substitute the handshake for two kisses on each cheek during subsequent greetings. In informal settings, Argentinians may use informal Spanish pronouns like tú or vos (you), first names, and nicknames, which may be based off of physical appearabce, such as gordito (little fat one). Kissing is rarely used in formal settings, and people may be introduced with formal Spanish pronouns like usted (you, formal), titles, and surnames.In a formal setting, the host is usually expected to make introductions, and it is important that everyone be greeted.
Roman Catholicism is the official religion of Argentina, although the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and Catholic rules forbidding contraception, pre-marital and extra-marital sex, and abortion, are largely not observed. While majority of the population identifies as Roman Catholic (92%), only 15% attend church regularly. Other religions include Protestant (2%), Jewish (2%), or followers of Spiritualism, Shamanism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism, Buddhism, and Islam. Argentina has the largest Jewish and Muslim population in South America.
It is common in Argentina for friends to visit without prior arrangement, and invited guest may not be expected to arrive on time. Guests may be offered refreshments, such as espresso or mate (an herbal tea drank from a communal cup with a straw). Casual dinner guests may be expected to bring something to share at dinner, such as wine, dessert, or a side dish, and formal guests may want to bring the host a gift such as flowers, candy, or pastries.
Traditional music and dance in Argentina is heavily influenced by 19th and early 20th century immigrants from Italy, Spain, and Germany. These forms included the German chamamé and tango, which is accompanied by violins, bandoneón (accordions), bass, and sometime guitar or woodwinds. The cuarteto originated from Italian influence in the 1940s.
Modern Argentine music tastes lean towards Rock and Cumbia.
Duki's Givenchy was #1 on the 06/Aug/2022 Argentina Top 20 chart.
