Q: What is an Argentinian?
A: He is an Italian who speaks Spanish thinks he is English and acts like he is French
Henry,
I made the same reference here, look up earlier posts, I can not remember which is the post #, the actual quote was:
"An Argentinean is an Italian who speaks Spanish, thinks he is French and secretly wishes to be English.
Further, Victor Danti replied in this thread, indicating to me that Freud had referred to Pride/Arrogance, as the "little Argentinean" in everyone of us. (I may be misquoting here as I can not find the posts)
It seems that Klaus the Klaun of the thread, supporting the Geriatric Germans, seems to be doing so with a rather large portion of the "little Argentinean in him". To a lesser extent in his exaggeration, Goldfinger seems to be doing the same for the Dutch team.
As I am sure, that everyone else is doing for their respective teams.
Yes, Argentineans are certainly special, the rest of Latin America can not decide whether to make fun of them, or throw them to the lions, as sometimes their "high degree of self esteem" becomes too much for the rest of the Latin Americans.
For example, there is a story I read about a professional Polo player in Argentina, his name is Carlos "Charlie" Mayon, describing that Argentineans think of themselves as inhabitants of a large island off the Southwest coast of Spain.
Mr. Mayon, explains, "everyone in Latin America hates us for it", and then further describes (as an example of the above), his experience at a dinner party in Costa Rica in which, unexpectedly, he sat across Sandinsta ex-president of Nicaragua Daniel Ortega.
The fact that a Communist ex-president and a professional Polo player can not have much in common, conversation was rather scarce.
Finally Mr. Ortega, playing it safe, asked Mr. Mayon "where did he come from"? Upon hearing the answer, he replied with ill-concealed scorn:
"Ah, you Argentineans! You are no proper Latin Americans at all!"
I befriended a couple of Argentineans while living in Europe, perhaps I had the advantage as we were equally in a foreign land to us, therefore finding a common point, to open the friendship. They are fine people and after a while, even they realize that the rest of the world is not that bad, in spite of the fact that not everyone else is from Argentina. he, he, he.....
I guess in that sense they do act like the French, fortunately they speak Spanish, therefore becoming more tolerable, in fact they do not speak Spanish at all, they actually sing it.
One must remember that they are very rich nation that unfortunately the disastrous dictatorship of Juan Per¢n brought a lot of ill to this nation and further, the long string of General¡simos (Military Juntas etc.), that were in power for so long only worsened the situation.
Fortunately today, the civil (and democratic government seems to be doing a better job with their economy). In my opinion today Argentina is perhaps one of the countries in the world that has one of the brightest futures, with a seemingly stable currency (for now), a booming economy, and most important, the combination of a rich nation in terms of natural resources, AND a population of only 33 « million people. This seems to place them truly apart from other Latin American countries, in terms of potential future social strife, (or lack thereof).
For example, What future can a country like Brazil with a population of well over 160 million people, with a large component of poor people, with an entire generation of children living on the street, completely abandoned to strive for their own fate, and many other social problems, in spite of their natural resources, (which are being largely mismanaged, a great deal of deforestation taking place, burning of the rain forest in order to open up more available land for farming in order to feed their growing population (and a psychological short term relief for their poor people). "Favelas" (shantytowns) on the fringe of large cities such as Rio, Sao Paulo etc....
Or Mexico with a population approaching 100 million, corruption running rampant, political power struggles that has erupted in violence not seen since the revolution of 1910-21, pollution problems that make look Los Angeles as a true Paradise Park in comparison...
Largest city in the world... (Mexico City, a dubious title at best), with a population of 20 million, (and that is assuming that the "head of household" reported all the members of his family... including the one family at the other end of town...., no need for Viagra here !).
Anyway Argentina may have similar problems, but I believe the proportions are not as dramatic as described above....
Chile perhaps is also an attractive country, perhaps not as rich as nor as large as Argentina, but nonetheless interesting as well.
I would like to travel to Argentina and learn first hand more about this nation. it certainly seems interesting. For starters, their "bife" is as good as any Texan or Montanan steak. Their wines as good (if not better), than any Californian or Washington State wines.
They have a "sauce" (or marinating condiment), I believe made of olive oil, garlic and parsley, I believe it is called "chimichurri", that they put in their stakes, and other foods.... (Empanadas... Chorizo, etc.)
People from Paraguay and Uruguay claim that they are the ones who first invented, Chimichurri, Tango and Gauchos (cowboys)... Only the Argentineans made all three more "glamorous", and took credit in the eyes of the world.....
I do not think I can enter such debate myself, I will only enjoy it from the sidelines....
Do you want to use a new marinating/barbecue sauce for this upcoming 4th of July ?...(we will not argue nationalities, simply enjoy the food):
Here is ONE (there seems to be many),recipe for Chimichurri....
-------------------FOR BEEF AND POULTRY-------------------
1/2 c Olive oil
1/2 c Balsamic vinegar (white vinegar may be used)
2 tb. Fresh parsley; chopped
3 Large garlic cloves; minced (if you like garlic.... 10)
1 ts Cayenne pepper (or red pepper flakes )
1 ts Salt (or to taste)
1 1/2 ts Fresh oregano leaves; chpd.
1/2 ts Freshly ground pepper
Combine all ingredients in a glass jar with tight
fitting lid. Let stand at room temperature for 24 hours.
Makes about 1-1/3 cups -----
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Perhaps after the above, (and a few glasses, er... bottles of wine, no one will have a problem with an Argentinean victory in the WC)....
Well perhaps, some... Klaus... Goldfinger, etc. etc.
Z. |
