Comments on: Why the PorteÃ±os Look So Good

By: Claire

Claire — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:36:31 +0000

Portenios are extremelly friendly and good looking people!

By: Lara

Lara — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:11:43 +0000

The reality is that many people from other countries (read comment by “CARLOS”), dislike the folks of Argentina, who are seen as arrogant. The truth is, Argentines (and in particular Portenos), may come across as that, but that is because they do like themselves. They also point out what they do not like about themselves or their country. Is there anything wrong with that? The fact that there are more psychoanalists in Argentina has NOTHING to do with their “obsession” for looking good, etc. That fact has to do with Argentina’s emphasis on education and free university. Thus, the college of Psychology has always had high numbers of students (along with Medicine and Law), particularly women. This has been so for decades. Then, there is the reality that their culture emphasizes NOT keeping things in. And Argentines do not keep things in. They are expressive and effusive. They talk about their lives with friends, family and their analysts. What is wrong with that? It is healthy. And they do go to the gym. It makes them feel good and it also makes them feel good to know they look good. Personal appearance is important in Argentina, and frankly, it should be important to all people. I hate going to the market here in the U.S. or even going to a concert (in a nice venue, etc.), and seeing people totally underdressed. And it is not for lack of money because go to Argentina and no matter how underprivileged someone may be, they will TRY THEIR BEST TO FIX THEMSELVES UP AND LOOK GOOD. It is part of their culture. And human beings, we like it or not, are biologically programmed to seek beauty and admire beauty. So, let’s not kid ourselves. I mean outside beauty, the type that it is more obvious to recognize at first glance. Yes, internal beauty is important of course, but like the saying goes: MENS SANA IN CORPORE SANO.

Argentines are a confident people and that sense of confidence comes from their culture which nurtures and embraces open expression in all forms: kisses, hugs, talking, dancing, cultivating your mind and speaking your mind, and yes, LOOKING GOOD.

By: Pedro

Pedro — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:53:40 +0000

I completly agree with you! I`ve been there one year ago, the portenos are so confident! I`m an history`s lover, and I would say that all this confidence came from the past, when the portenos expelled the english men from their territory at once. I`m not talking about the malvin`s war. Anyway, I wouldn`t say that that`s bad. It is better being confident than pessimist.

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By: CÃ©sar GonzÃ¡lez

CÃ©sar GonzÃ¡lez — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:46:55 +0000

Thanks for your balanced, thoughtful opinion Caroline. I’m glad you point out the body-consciousness of PorteÃ±os – it’s definitely pervasive.

By: Caroline

Caroline — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 19:02:28 +0000

I just spent 10 days there – but I didn’t stick the the tourist agenda – I went to grocery stores and did many ordinary things. All in all, I found the people to be gracious, courteous and civilized – but no more confident or beautiful than anywhere else in the world. (I also have to add that shy people are going to be less likely to speak to a stranger than outgoing ones – so I probably met people with more personality than average.) I noticed these things: more beautiful heads of hair than anywhere else I’d ever been. The businessmen wore the most well cut suits I could imagine – and they were a pleasure to steal a glance at. However, across the board, the clothing not as fashionable as other places I’ve been. Nobody was fat or had unsightly bodies, but the ‘body beautiful’ stereotype, at least in my opinion, didn’t bear out. YES – there were some stellar looking men and ladies, but as anywhere, they were standouts, not the norm. All in all, everything about the city was to my liking – but above all, the people were the most important asset of all – I found them to be friendly, warm and kind. I do speak reasonably proficient Spanish, so this made my stay easier – it also made me better able to converse with people from various walks of life about ordinary things. If you are a people person, you must visit Buenos Aires. If you are not a people person, you might not fully appreciate this great city.

By: Tim Kernutt

Tim Kernutt — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:28:56 +0000

I’m sure there are unconfident Argentineans, just as there are confident ones. In fact, ironically a lot of the locals strutting around the gyms are probably the most unconfident and insecure.

However, despite this my overriding feeling was that, whether talking about Palermo Viaje, the working-class areas of BA or the country towns, that Argentineans carry themselves with a confidence far greater than many other cultures.

By: carlos

carlos — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:22:04 +0000

Get your head out of the clouds, man… Argentines confident?!? Please… You don’t have the foggiest idea of what you’re talking about. Argentines are VERY insecure. The fact that Buenos Aires has more psychoanalysts per capita than any other city in the world says it all!!!
Also, you keep insisting that Argentines are elegant people obsessed with looking good… That couldn’t be further from the truth. Please get out of Recoleta and Palermo and visit the real Argentina. You would be surprised at how “elegant” the average Argentine is…