Everybody in my program seems to be going out to the bars
all the time. I have yet to go to one because every single day since I’ve
gotten here I’ve had to wake up at 8am or earlier, I have class and we’ve had
an excursion every weekend so Friday and Saturday were shot and those are my
going out days. Perhaps you’re thinking, well hey, that’s still maybe 6 hours
of sleep, live a little! Ok, ok, in due time. I’m still a little cracked out on
sleep, and in case you forgot, sleep is right up there with eating, breathing
and getting enough water (and I’m actually a real life version of sleeping
beauty so I’m all about sleep). Not to mention the whole culture of going out
is radically different in Argentina.
While you kiddos are cracking a beer and pouring your
chasers, the Argentines are eating dinner. While you get more intoxicated, the
Argentines get a little sleepier and take a nap until 12ish. While you get
tired, too drunk and people start leaving the party, Argentines are just
starting to show up. By the time you’re asleep, the party is just getting
started. And that’s not just because of the time difference here. If you go out,
you may be committing to an evening that doesn’t end until upwards of 5 to 6 in
the morning. I’m a night owl, so sure, I could probably do it. But on a school
night? I don’t wanna sound like a nerd, but I just don’t see how that’s gonna
happen. I already wanna puke when I wake up as it is, and I know for a fact I’d
be skipping class to keep sleeping. With or without drinking. I’ll let it
happen once or twice, but just like college back home, I’m paying good money to
do this and academics are probably my top priority of all, so skipping isn’t an
option. The good news seems to be that Argentines aren’t all about binge
drinking—sure they emborrarcharse, but I don’t think there’s as much puking,
blacking out and crying here…They seem to be more concentrated on dancing and
having a good time amongst friends, enjoying the social atmosphere of the club.
The Americans, on the other hand, seem to act like loud, drunk idiots…In
addition, Argentine guys (just like most other guys…) can be really gross and
aggressive, so I don’t look forward to the horrible pickup lines (called
piropos) and constant requests (indirect, but also direct) for sex. It’s funny,
because in the US, we counteract this behavior by saying “I’m not a piece of
meat!” but the Argentines are so obsessed with beef, that’s exactly what they
compare you to. Literally.
On a personal note, this is basically the same problem I faced
freshman year—everybody was going crazy and making friends based on going
out, while I was on the opposite spectrum looking to get educated, cultured and
make intimate friends. Call me a loser if you want, but I just don’t like to
“party” all the time. For me, it’s usually a redundant form of entertainment
and it’s just not that interesting to me night after night. I only like to
party with people I know in smaller environments because I’m too bothered by
how people behave at large parties. I know with alcohol you’re supposed to let
go, but I don’t have very many inhibitions as it is (if you couldn’t tell by this
blog). And all the inhibitions that I do hold onto when I’m drinking are things
that I’m not willing to compromise on. I’m never going to be the girl that went
home with some guy and doesn’t know what happened. Not only that, but this isn’t
a frat party culture, so I’m not about to get totally drunk when people who
live here aren’t really doing the same thing when they go out. It’s week 2, and
I’m already hearing stories of people getting into cars with drunk, random
Argentine guys and inviting them into their host family’s house. Nothing bad
happened, but still that’s probably the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard and it’s a
good way to ensure that something awful does happen. Don’t get me wrong, I do
enjoy a good inebriation session and you guys know what fun I am when I’m drunk…but
I’m not about to go out with a huge group of American students. But I think I’m
honing in on my going out group and we’ll see about our adventures soon…
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