corruption and plastic fantastic

Last week we have been asking our teacher at school about living in Argentina from his point of view. What is good, what could be better, is the new president (a woman) doing a good job.... what are the salaries and what this money can buy...


He told us some very interesing things.

For example, Argentina is a plastic operations paradise. One in evry thirty argentinian takes a plastic beauty surgery. Getting ´ít done´ is a very p0opular gift that wealthy parents give to their teenage doughters. Having fake boobs means a status here, like in some other countries haveing a fancy car. Lips, facelifting, boobs, ass.... it does not matter what, but how much you had it done. This is important and it is openly discussed between people. The plastic fantastic turism is booming, as many US people come gere to get some vacation and a beaty treatment for much less money than at home.

Argentina has great doctors, but hospital system sucks. Everybody has ofc curse insurance, but if you have no money and you go to a public hospital, you can wait also for 6 or more hours to get your turn. Even if it is an emergency. Giving some goody envelope under the table to get faster in line is very common. Or, if you can afford it, you can go to private hospitals. German, Italian... you name it.

One of interesting facts is also, that the country is lacking mondedaz (coins). One peso coin is actually worht 1.5 pesos to produce and the government is avoiding the idea of producing more coins. But coins are essential, as this is the only possible payment to get on the bus. G9vernment is therefore supporting all shops for accepting credit card payment even for smallest purchaces, to cover the problem with lack of coins on the market. We have been told, that you can actully buy a bag of coins. 90 pesos of coins, for 100 pesos in paper money. Not bad, a? The sellers are located in end bus stations. This is of course not legal, but nobody is monitoring and punishing the dealers. I read about the story of police finding 5 trucks at the brasilian border, smuggling coins for 5 million pesos.... why bother with cocain, if metal can do the profit, right:)

School system supposed to be free, but there exist also better (!) private schools. Which are not free.

Very interesting is also the salary sistem. For sure it is better to work for private organization as you can earn more money. Taxes from salary are 21%. Maternity lea ve is 3 months (well, I am spoiled from 12 months in Slovenia, but also Germany has a good system). Paid holidays are about the same as in US (nothing really compared to Europe). Salaries (according to our source) are not very high, compared to our european standards. Average salary per month is 3000 pesos, lawyer earns 7000, dentis 7500, as do engineers with experience. But portero (the building maintenance person) earns 3500 pesos, as doctor in a public hospital earns 3000 pesos.... Waiter gets 2000, teacher between 2000.3000 pessos...

And what this money can buy? I saw advertisments for rents in safe neighbourhoods for 900-2000 pesòs´+ utility costs, but to get this price, you have to be argentinian. Expats pay more, and if you want a non furnished apartment you need a guarantor, reference and 2 year minimum lease. For us, turists, who come here for a month or two... small furnished studio can cost 550-700 US dollars (where did pesos go all of the sudden) per month with all utilities included. A room in shared flat costs between 120.-170 USD per week.

Apartments to buy are cheaper as in Europe, but you need to have dollars to buy them. Banks also do not like to give loans, so people rent more than they buy.


Well, one obvservation i had was also a lot of street sellers. The moto is - buy everything as I need to survive. I saw one old grandpa selling Mont Blanc pens, for same price as in the store.. where did he get the pens? I would rather not know: But he is sitting in the street chair and trying to make some money.

Yes, it was an interesting lesson about life in Argentina. We also learned that the new president has collagen in her lips and fake boobs. Because that is what counts!