Argentina - Sabre Rattling? Current Argentinian/UK relations

Just wondering what the general public sentiment in Argentina is at the moment over the 30th Anniversary of the Falklands conflict and what affect this has (if any) on tourism?

There's been the war of words between the two PMs/Presidents, and now the UK is sending a war ship and a Prince down, which depending on the paper you read or media outlet you view it's either very jingoistic or run of the mill proceedure that would of happened anyway.

As I'm booked to arrive in May for a few days (first ever South American Adventure!!) and I'm not letting it dampen my excitement, but as a British citizen I wonder would we have to be more alert or concerned at all? Planning primarily tours in BA and Iguassu. Staying in Palmero in BA. Should I learn to speak with an American accent perhaps?!?! :D

I highly doubt you'll have a problem. I was just at a conference in BA last week with large numbers of Brits, and no one brought the issue up. In general, I think Argentineans quite like Brits and separate the political issue of the Falklands from their personal relationships with British citizens.

At any rate, as a non-Brit/non-Argentinean I find the traditional obsession with the islands extremely tiresome. It's a tired populist cliche the government trots out periodically to divert public attention from its own shortcomings. Yawn.....

Gaucho100K is always on my case but that's because I support Boca and not because I'm British. :D ^

I agree it won't be a problem at all.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm hoping this certainly is the case! :)

Looking for an insurance policy just in case.... :D

Hmmm... the BBC news just now showed some not so happy locals. Hopefully this is just a stunt for the cameras...

Argentines in the end think they´re Italians who speak Spanish, dress like the English and like to think they live in the Paris of South America.

Pretty harmless and quite good fun to be around.

You´ll be ok.

Hmmm... the BBC news just now showed some not so happy locals. Hopefully this is just a stunt for the cameras...

It was....happened the other day and got a small slot on the TV news here. Anyway....the folk of Buenos Aires have more things to worry about at the moment....like torrential rain and flooding over the last couple of days.

I've been living here for over 4 years now and visited for many years before that. Not one person has ever said anything to me about the Malvinas/Falklands...not even my best mate has ever mentioned it. They do feel quite strongly about them but realise it's up to the politicians of both sides to sort it out.

Apparently Brits have a sense of humo(u)r
http://en.mercopress.com/2012/01/19/the-white-settlers-dilemma :D

Apparently Brits have a sense of humo(u)r
http://en.mercopress.com/2012/01/19/the-white-settlers-dilemma :D

:D ^

I spotted another comical story (http://en.mercopress.com/2012/02/03/aerolineas-receives-a-daily-government-support-of-over-2-million-dollars) on the same page. :rolleyes:

:D ^

I spotted another comical story (http://en.mercopress.com/2012/02/03/aerolineas-receives-a-daily-government-support-of-over-2-million-dollars) on the same page. :rolleyes:

I think I'm now more worried about my Aerolineas flight (AEP-IGR because the time of day suits me best - I think it's an Austral code shaore) than about Anglo-Argentinian relations! :D

I think I'm now more worried about my Aerolineas flight (AEP-IGR because the time of day suits me best - I think it's an Austral code shaore) than about Anglo-Argentinian relations! :D

Yes indeed that's definitely more of a worry for you.

I should say that with me being Scottish the rest of the world doesn't recognise Scotland as being part of Britain which might explain why I am so well liked here.

I suggest you purchase a kilt to wear on your holiday. :D

Yes indeed that's definitely more of a worry for you.

I should say that with me being Scottish the rest of the world doesn't recognise Scotland as being part of Britain which might explain why I am so well liked here.

I suggest you purchase a kilt to wear on your holiday. :D

Regrettably, I'm not into drag. I was considering buying a "USA No 1!" t-shirt though.... ;)

Is Astral that bad though? From what I've seen it operates almost independently from it's parent. I'm only doing a single leg with no connections before or after. It's the last flight of the day so I maximise my time in BA and arrive in Iguassu at night so we can get full days sightseeing in at the falls. Thinking of paying the £40 more for their "club/premium" product so that we get the increased lugguage allowance and hopefully marginally better food!

Is Astral that bad though? From what I've seen it operates almost independently from it's parent. I'm only doing a single leg with no connections before or after. It's the last flight of the day so I maximise my time in BA and arrive in Iguassu at night so we can get full days sightseeing in at the falls. Thinking of paying the £40 more for their "club/premium" product so that we get the increased lugguage allowance and hopefully marginally better food!

They're more or less the same airline under different names.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Normally one can expect some delays and it's only when the unions get bored that you can have some trouble.

Argentines in the end think they´re Italians who speak Spanish, dress like the English and like to think they live in the Paris of South America.

Pretty harmless and quite good fun to be around.

You´ll be ok.

It is all the visitors to Buenos Aires, including the hoards of Brazilian tourists on frantic shopping sprees that have created the saying about my city being the Paris of South America.... another example of this is the description of the Argentine Forum on these boards (which I did not write), and reflects the European Feel that North Americans and Europeans always say they experience when they visit parts of the City.

Please note I have no beef with the above post and I am a huge fan of almost all things Brazilian, I write this from Salvador, Bahia - where Im enjoying a great family vacation so its all tudo-bem... ^

However, I just wanted to put the above in context because to those that dont know the region and its customs well, it may portray a stereotype of what Argentines are like. In the end, as my MercoSur Brother posts above, most all Argentines are very friendly and open minded, so there is no need to worry if you carry a UK Passport. Be curteous and friendly, and you will receive the same treatment.

My only advice is that if you wish to bring up the issue of the South Atlantic during a conversation with locals, it would be wise to realize that it is a sensitive issue with most Argentines, and that we call the Islands by their correct designation (Islas Malvinas). Everybody is entitled to their opinion on the current status of the Islands and the historical & political interpretations of the actions that occured, but it is probably of dubious taste to rub your hosts the wrong way when you visit their country... this should be, in my view, especially obvious to the English/British/UK Nationals that come from one of the worlds oldest Democracies which is, among other things, legendary for its Diplomacy and its grasp of the art of Protocol and Proper Manners...

Have a great trip !!! ^

It is all the visitors to Buenos Aires, including the hoards of Brazilian tourists on frantic shopping sprees that have created the saying about my city being the Paris of South America.... another example of this is the description of the Argentine Forum on these boards (which I did not write), and reflects the European Feel that North Americans and Europeans always say they experience when they visit parts of the City.

Please note I have no beef with the above post and I am a huge fan of almost all things Brazilian, I write this from Salvador, Bahia - where Im enjoying a great family vacation so its all tudo-bem... ^

However, I just wanted to put the above in context because to those that dont know the region and its customs well, it may portray a stereotype of what Argentines are like. In the end, as my MercoSur Brother posts above, most all Argentines are very friendly and open minded, so there is no need to worry if you carry a UK Passport. Be curteous and friendly, and you will receive the same treatment.

My only advice is that if you wish to bring up the issue of the South Atlantic during a conversation with locals, it would be wise to realize that it is a sensitive issue with most Argentines, and that we call the Islands by their correct designation (Islas Malvinas). Everybody is entitled to their opinion on the current status of the Islands and the historical & political interpretations of the actions that occured, but it is probably of dubious taste to rub your hosts the wrong way when you visit their country... this should be, in my view, especially obvious to the English/British/UK Nationals that come from one of the worlds oldest Democracies which is, among other things, legendary for its Diplomacy and its grasp of the art of Protocol and Proper Manners...

Have a great trip !!! ^

Rest assured Gaucho100k, that I have no intention of bringing it up!

I've been to Macendonia with British Greeks and the topic of the legalilty of the name issue only came up outside Macendonia, sorry, the F.Y.R.O. Macedonia. :D We're holidaying to see the country, and anything political is off our agenda for sure. I'm going to see the city, meet the people and experience the culture. :cool:

Just follow Basil Faulty's example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xnNhzgcWTk :D

Just follow Basil Faulty's example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xnNhzgcWTk :D

Yes, and I've learnt how to drive like Mr Bean (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oL9VlxDEvc).

Thanks for the suggestion SoFlyOn, but I'll take my cue from some of the others on here! ;)

Yes, and I've learnt how to drive like Mr Bean (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oL9VlxDEvc).


:D

They're more or less the same airline under different names.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Normally one can expect some delays and it's only when the unions get bored that you can have some trouble.

Bah! Humbug! They've not delayed my 7pm flight - they've cancelled it!! :mad: I now have to leave BA at 12pm instead. This cuts down my stay to just 4 days - arrive Thursday 7am and then leave on the following lunch time to Iguassu. I bought a fully refundable ticket so wonder if I should stay the extra night in BA and then take LAN the next day it IGR. I'll end up there around 11am, hotel I assume around 12. Do you think I'd have enough time to get across the border and do the Brazillian side of the falls? I'm also planning on doing a moon tour of the forrest that night on the Argentinian side and spend the full day there the next, leaving for Rio on the Thursday morning. Or should I just relax by the pool at Iguassu?

...hotel I assume around 12. Do you think I'd have enough time to get across the border and do the Brazillian side of the falls?...

If you don't need to apply for a visa in Puerto Iguazu then yes, that's enough time. You can walk the entire trail on the Brazilian side in under an hour, I think most people take 3-4 hours in order to stop and stare in wonder every few meters. There are numerous amazing views from that side. It will be hot though, very hot, be sure to buy and drink lots of bottled water from the various refreshment stands along the trail.

If you don't need to apply for a visa in Puerto Iguazu then yes, that's enough time. You can walk the entire trail on the Brazilian side in under an hour, I think most people take 3-4 hours in order to stop and stare in wonder every few meters. There are numerous amazing views from that side. It will be hot though, very hot, be sure to buy and drink lots of bottled water from the various refreshment stands along the trail.

Thanks for the tip.

I'm travelling in May which I thought would be cooler?

It should be cooler in May, about 10 degrees cooler on average than right now, but the highs can still pass 30. Weather.com (http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/ARMS3370?onloadedmetadata=null&oninput=null&onabort=null&oncanplay=null&onsuspend=null&onpause=null&onratechange=null&onstalled=null&onerror=null&onload=null&onchange=null&onloadeddata=null&onseeking=null&onseeked=null&oncanplaythrough=null&role=&onreset=null&onplay=null&onvolumechange=null&onplaying=null&ontimeupdate=null&onloadstart=null&ondurationchange=null&onwaiting=null&onselect=null&onended=null&onemptied=null&onprogress=null)