The South American Temper

One thing that I have noticed here is the lack of patience that Argentinians have. Of curse i knew this from my mother already....Joke!! They cant handle waiting for more than a few moments in traffic as I witnessed on my first day with Edgardo. They love to beep at everything possible, especially the bus drivers, which drives me insane. They do not wait until its safe to move lanes... which I dont even see the point in these lanes because people drive in between the 2 anyway. They cross out whenever they feel like it, and it turns into a game of "Chicken"... Whoever backs out first is the loser.

Today I had my first experience of a proper cross Argentinian. Manena, Isella, Carla and I (donkey before the ass mum!!) went to the cinema in Abasto to see a spanish film called "El Orfanato"(i think thats how its spelt). It was all in Spanish of course with no subtitles so it was a challenge for me, but unfortuntely I succeeded. those of you that know me well know that I am not a fan of scary films or films that make me jump. I am the girl that when she was younger had nightmares at 'The Lion King'. So scary films arent the best for me. And stupidly when Isella told me what we were going to see I didnt think to ask what i twas about or what genre it was. I just said fine, and was more worried about not understanding this film. The title, to me. suggested a sad story about a little boy whos parents die and hes left all alone yada yada yada.. you get the picture. the kind of soppy film that I would enjoy. I was far from wrong. This film had me with my hands over my ears for practically the whole thing- I personally think that if you cant hear it but can see it its much less scarier- I also let out a few screams, and Im surprised my heart managed to pull through the whole thing. I wont tell you what its about unless you one day decide to rent it from the eurpean section in xtravision or decide to go see it if its on in any cinema-In which case you will most likely love the film and think Im a complete exagerater...which is highly possible.

Anyway my experiences of the cinema has nothing to do with my topic of discussion. Leaving the cinema Manena went to pay for the car park-yes this is not free parking Blanchardstown Centre- and we set off for him. Out parking was free because we went to the cinema and we had out little piece of paper for scanning in to lift the barrier. We arrive at the barrier and Manena scans in the paper and this little sign saying "Billeta Impago" appears on the screen. After numerous attempts, the screen was still saying we hadnt paid our ticket(which we hadnt but someone else had!). So Manenas blood is slowly rising in temperature as she beeps her horn for assistance and the guard comes over and talks to her. After his attempt and talking through to the office, we have to reverse the car and Manena has to go back and get another ticket. She also talks to the people at the office explaining the situation and when she discovers she has to go down 2 floors to get another ticket phrases such as "Im going to box the living daylights out of that man" leave her mouth! Carla decides to accompany her to the ticket booth to avoid any arrests. They return and we set set off in the car again for the exact.

The ticket is scanned: "Billeta Impago". The guard tries to lift the barrier so we can go through but doesnt succeed. Manena is not impressed in any way whatsoever and gets out to talk to the office AGAIN. After a lengthy discussion she is once again told to return to the office to get another ticket. She gets back in the car SLAMS the door and blood temperature is above boiling now. She then gets out of the car goes back over to the mic and basically shouts into it "I am not the person that has made the mistake here I have already made one trip to get another ticket and it didnt work I am not moving from where I am you can send someone else with the ticket to me." She then, in a slightly calmer voice to the innocent guard repeats herself and gets back in the car. He then returns a few minutes later saying she has to talk to the office again. At this Isella is not impressed and gets out of the car with Manena. She walks to the barrier and pushes it open tells her mother to get in the car and gets in the car herself, and we drive off. Of course with a polite think you to the guard.

Unfortunately I am not able to repeat the conversation that followed but lets say it took some time before the blood temperature went back to normal for those to.

Now I know where my temper comes from.