Argentina : Tick-Tock

The expressive communication style of the Argentineans is very different to the rest of Latin America. They have a huge European influence and so they are on the whole open, blunt, and direct, yet are able to remain tactful and diplomatic.

Argentines are a warm people and their unreservedness brings to the fore their passion and sentimentality. In addition they are close communicators physically so will often touch each other when speaking and maintain little physical distance between speakers. In fact, they are at least 4 to 6 inches closer to you than North Americans would be for example.

Argentina is what Edward T. Hall (anthropologist and cross-cultural researcher) termed a polychronic culture. Argentina, like all polychronic cultures, ranks personal involvement and completion of existing transactions above the demands of pre-set schedules. Various other cultures by contrast are monochronic cultures and so, adhere to pre-set schedules that take precedence over personal interaction or the completion of business at hand.

In other words, expect the people you are meeting in Buenos Aires to not be punctual for your appointment.

Are we generalizing? Have you had punctual meetings in Argentina?