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Doing business in Argentina: A constant feeling of crisis

inc.com

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Re: Doing business in Argentina: A constant feeling of crisis

#21

Post by wslh »

zfran wrote: post #6

As stated by others in the article's comments, leaving the entrepreneurial stuff aside, this is really close to being bullshit. It quotes Alberto Cavallo, who's father was the minister of economy that led Argentina to the 2000's crisis... I live in BA and the situation isn't as bad as the article describes it. Full article with comments: http://www.inc.com/magazine/201106/doing-business-in-argenti...

Well, as an Argentinian and repeating what I said in the previous HN post: When you can bribe a policeman or a custom personnel in front of everybody there is a problem...

I remember a simple case showing that corruption is everywhere and the style of life of Argentina: there were new scanners in the airport to speed up the control of the luggages... at the end the personnel were using it to steal travels stuff. We are talking about small "spontaneous" organized crime inside the airport based on high technology scanners. Obviously there was someone in charge to control their work... and all was filmed.

Re: Doing business in Argentina: A constant feeling of crisis

#22

Post by zfran »

rubyrescue wrote: post #14
zfran wrote: post #6

As stated by others in the article's comments, leaving the entrepreneurial stuff aside, this is really close to being bullshit. It quotes Alberto Cavallo, who's father was the minister of economy that led Argentina to the 2000's crisis... I live in BA and the situation isn't as bad as the article describes it. Full article with comments: http://www.inc.com/magazine/201106/doing-business-in-argenti...

I disagree and think it's pretty accurate. I'll share my experience of being an american in BA - by highlighting some of the extremes. I've lived here for three years. just walked home with my kids from a friend's house at 1:30 and people are still out eating dinner. it's a fascinating, european-feeling city, with a 'faded glory' edge to it. It mostly feels safe and easy to get around. I love many things about it her…

As I said, it's close to being bullshit. It's not entirely, I just think it is a little bit extremist. There are more businesses that don't have problems than ones that do. I also think that a lot of what the article says is true, but also think that a lot of it is extremist.

P.D.: I happen to work at one of the companies you are outsourcing to :p

Re: Doing business in Argentina: A constant feeling of crisis

#23

Post by ferostar »

imasr wrote: post #19
pandres wrote: post #3

We are doing pretty well right now, actually.

"Right now" always seems to be our problem. I just tried to rent a flat and they were trying to enforce 10% price rices every 6 months, even though it's illegal. That's just one example of the "right now". Because I can make a buck, I will, don't matter what; then we blame on the politicians. There's so much we have yet to learn.

Great insight on human nature, or is it on argentinian human nature? Complains, complains, complains.

Re: Doing business in Argentina: A constant feeling of crisis

#24

Post by bx_lr »

redthrowaway wrote: post #18
bx_lr wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Could you describe your experiences a bit more? Buenos Aires seems to be one of the more interesting places in South America. Based on the typical news about South America (or Mexico), just landing on that continent will get you kidnapped, abused by the police, robbed, mugged, cheated, etc.

>Based on the typical news about South America (or Mexico), just landing on that continent will get you kidnapped, abused by the police, robbed, mugged, cheated, etc. That's like saying, "Based on the typical news about Miami (or Anchorage), you will get eaten by polar bears and die of hypothermia". Mexico is not South America, and it's nowhere close to Argentina. The distance between Juarez and BA is about the same…

Firstly, I didn't suggest Mexico was part of South America. Secondly, I'm not trying to shoehorn South America under a single mental schema. I'm actually trying to do the opposite, i.e. figure out what South America really is. Doesn't seem I can do that based on news, articles, whatever, and rather have to tour the place myself to come to a conclusion.

Re: Doing business in Argentina: A constant feeling of crisis

#25

Post by redthrowaway »

bx_lr wrote: post #24
redthrowaway wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>Based on the typical news about South America (or Mexico), just landing on that continent will get you kidnapped, abused by the police, robbed, mugged, cheated, etc. That's like saying, "Based on the typical news about Miami (or Anchorage), you will get eaten by polar bears and die of hypothermia". Mexico is not South America, and it's nowhere close to Argentina. The distance between Juarez and BA is about the same…

Firstly, I didn't suggest Mexico was part of South America. Secondly, I'm not trying to shoehorn South America under a single mental schema. I'm actually trying to do the opposite, i.e. figure out what South America really is. Doesn't seem I can do that based on news, articles, whatever, and rather have to tour the place myself to come to a conclusion.

You can talk to people who've been there, but each country is pretty different and there are major differences within countries, as well.

As far as the violence goes, it tends to be cyclical. Certainly in parts of Columbia FARC activity is still a major issue, and Venezuela is bad for petty crime and assaults. You get the occasional Shining Path incident in Peru, but it's very low-level. Bolivia has regular strikes that bring the riot police out in La Paz, but the rest of the country seemed perfectly safe. Never had a problem in Argentina, or heard of anyone having problems in Chile, Uruguay, or Paraguay. Brazil is mostly kosher, but I heard of a few people getting robbed, or more likely picking up a girl from a club and getting mugged after.

But seriously, do go down if you get a chance. I had a blast there.

Re: Doing business in Argentina: A constant feeling of crisis

#26

Post by rubyrescue »

zfran wrote: post #22
rubyrescue wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I disagree and think it's pretty accurate. I'll share my experience of being an american in BA - by highlighting some of the extremes. I've lived here for three years. just walked home with my kids from a friend's house at 1:30 and people are still out eating dinner. it's a fascinating, european-feeling city, with a 'faded glory' edge to it. It mostly feels safe and easy to get around. I love many things about it her…

As I said, it's close to being bullshit. It's not entirely, I just think it is a little bit extremist. There are more businesses that don't have problems than ones that do. I also think that a lot of what the article says is true, but also think that a lot of it is extremist. P.D.: I happen to work at one of the companies you are outsourcing to :p

that's hilarious, monits?

Re: Doing business in Argentina: A constant feeling of crisis

#27

Post by wslh »

wslh wrote: post #21
zfran wrote: post #6

As stated by others in the article's comments, leaving the entrepreneurial stuff aside, this is really close to being bullshit. It quotes Alberto Cavallo, who's father was the minister of economy that led Argentina to the 2000's crisis... I live in BA and the situation isn't as bad as the article describes it. Full article with comments: http://www.inc.com/magazine/201106/doing-business-in-argenti...

Well, as an Argentinian and repeating what I said in the previous HN post: When you can bribe a policeman or a custom personnel in front of everybody there is a problem... I remember a simple case showing that corruption is everywhere and the style of life of Argentina: there were new scanners in the airport to speed up the control of the luggages... at the end the personnel were using it to steal travels stuff. We a…

Good to read:

Original in Spanish: http://spanish.martinvarsavsky.net/general/porque-ya-no-voy-...

English automated translation: http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&h...

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