Chapter 18: Shopping and Money

Argentine Spanish Level A2

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🎯 CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

After completing this chapter, you will be able to:

• ✅ Understand the Argentine peso and monetary system
• ✅ Shop confidently in Buenos Aires stores
• ✅ Learn bargaining and negotiation techniques
• ✅ Master clothing shopping and sizing systems
• ✅ Handle price inquiries and payment methods
• ✅ Navigate porteño shopping culture

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💰 18.1. The Argentine Peso and Currency Units

Argentina's complex monetary system and daily usage.

🏦 Currency Fundamentals

ARGENTINE PESO:

• Peso: Main monetary unit (symbol: $)
• Centavo: 100 centavos = 1 peso
• Billetes: Paper money/banknotes
• Monedas: Coins

Common Banknotes:

• $10: Ten pesos
• $20: Twenty pesos
• $50: Fifty pesos
• $100: One hundred pesos
• $200: Two hundred pesos
• $500: Five hundred pesos
• $1000: One thousand pesos

Common Coins:

• $1: One peso
• $2: Two pesos
• $5: Five pesos
• $10: Ten pesos

💸 Economic Realities

Characteristics of Argentine Economy:

• Inflación: High constant inflation
• Devaluación: Peso's loss of value
• Cambio: Exchange rate
• Cotización: Daily quotation
• Dólar oficial: Official dollar rate
• Dólar blue: Black market dollar rate

🏪 Money-Related Expressions

Asking Prices:

• "¿Cuánto cuesta?" (How much does it cost?)
• "¿Cuánto está?" (How much is it? - current price)
• "¿A cuánto está el dólar?" (What's the dollar rate?)
• "¿Está caro, no?" (It's expensive, isn't it?)

Money Amounts:

• "No tengo plata" (I don't have money - argentinism)
• "Está sin un peso" (He's broke/penniless)
• "Cuesta un dineral" (It costs a fortune)
• "Sale dos mangos" (It's very cheap - slang)

Payment Methods:

• "¿Efectivo o tarjeta?" (Cash or card?)
• "¿Aceptan Mercado Pago?" (Do you accept Mercado Pago?)
• "¿Puedo pagar en cuotas?" (Can I pay in installments?)
• "¿Hay descuento por efectivo?" (Is there a cash discount?)

🇦🇷 Buenos Aires Money Culture

Daily Usage:

• Propina: Tip (around 10%)
• Vuelto: Change returned
• Cambio: Change/small bills
• Billetera: Wallet

Modern Payment Systems:

• Mercado Pago: Most popular digital payment
• Transferencia: Bank transfer
• Débito: Debit card
• Crédito: Credit card
• Código QR: QR code payment

Money Problem Expressions:

• "No hay cambio" (No change available)
• "¿Tenés cambio de mil?" (Do you have change for a thousand?)
• "No acepto billetes grandes" (I don't accept large bills)
• "Redondeo para arriba/abajo" (I'll round up/down)

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🛍️ 18.2. Shopping in Stores

Buenos Aires shopping experience and commercial culture.

🏬 Store Types

SHOPPING CENTERS (Malls):

• Shopping Abasto: Large shopping center
• Palermo Soho: Boutique stores
• Shopping Alcorta: Luxury mall
• Alto Palermo: Mid-range mall

STORE TYPES:

• Supermercado: Supermarket
• Farmacia: Pharmacy
• Librería: Bookstore/Stationery
• Zapatería: Shoe store
• Ropa: Clothing store
• Carnicería: Butcher shop

🛒 Shopping Expressions

Entering the Store:

• "¿Puedo mirar?" (Can I look around?)
• "Estoy solo mirando" (I'm just browsing)
• "¿Me ayuda?" (Can you help me?)
• "¿Dónde está la sección de...?" (Where is the ... section?)

Product Inquiries:

• "¿Tienen esto en otro color?" (Do you have this in another color?)
• "¿Hay en talle M?" (Do you have it in size M?)
• "¿Cuánto sale?" (How much is it? - argentinism)
• "¿Está en oferta?" (Is it on sale?)

Trying On and Deciding:

• "¿Puedo probármelo?" (Can I try it on?)
• "¿Dónde está el probador?" (Where is the fitting room?)
• "Me queda grande/chico" (It's too big/small for me)
• "Me gusta, lo llevo" (I like it, I'll take it)

🎯 Popular Shopping Areas

FLORIDA STREET:

• Peatonal Florida: Pedestrian street in city center
• Galerías: Shopping galleries
• Precios populares: Affordable prices
• Turistas: Tourist area

PALERMO:

• Palermo Soho: Designer boutiques
• Palermo Hollywood: New brands
• Ferias: Weekend markets
• Diseñadores locales: Local designers

CALLE CORRIENTES:

• Librerías: Specialized bookstores
• Disquerías: Music stores
• Artículos de tango: Tango merchandise

🏪 Business Hours

TYPICAL HOURS:

• Lunes a viernes: Monday to Friday 9:00-20:00
• Sábados: Saturdays 9:00-19:00
• Domingos: Sundays 10:00-18:00 (some closed)
• Feriados: Holidays (most places closed)

SIESTA TIME:

• 13:00-16:00: Some small stores close
• Shopping centers: Usually remain open
• Barrios: Neighborhood stores may close

💳 Payment Details

Payment Options:

• "¿En cuántas cuotas?" (How many installments?)
• "Sin interés hasta 6 cuotas" (Interest-free up to 6 installments)
• "Descuento por efectivo" (Cash discount)
• "Mercado Pago o transferencia" (Digital payment)

Billing:

• "¿Necesita factura A o B?" (Do you need invoice A or B?)
• "¿Su documento?" (Your ID number?)
• "Ticket o factura?" (Receipt or invoice?)

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🤝 18.3. Bargaining and Negotiating

Bargaining culture in Argentina and negotiation techniques.

🎪 Places Where You Can Bargain

FERIAS (Markets):

• Feria de San Telmo: Antique market
• Feria de Mataderos: Popular market
• Feria de Belgrano: Neighborhood market
• Ferias americanas: Second-hand markets

OTHER PLACES:

• Mercados: Popular markets
• Vendedores ambulantes: Street vendors
• Garage sales: Garage sales
• Once: Wholesale district

💬 Bargaining Expressions

Learning Prices:

• "¿Cuál es el último precio?" (What's your final price?)
• "¿No me hace un descuento?" (Won't you give me a discount?)
• "¿Está fijo el precio?" (Is the price fixed?)
• "¿Cuánto es lo menos?" (What's the minimum?)

Making Offers:

• "¿Me lo deja a...?" (Would you sell it to me for...?)
• "¿Qué tal si le pago...?" (What if I pay you...?)
• "Le ofrezco..." (I offer you...)
• "¿No puede bajar un poco?" (Can't you lower it a bit?)

Negotiation Process:

• "Está muy caro" (It's very expensive)
• "No me alcanza" (I don't have enough money)
• "Pensaba en algo más barato" (I was thinking of something cheaper)
• "En otro lado está más barato" (It's cheaper elsewhere)

🎨 Bargaining Strategies

Effective Techniques:

• Sympathy: Building rapport
• Bulk buying: Buying multiple items
• Cash payment: Offering cash payment
• Walking away: The walk-away technique

Useful Phrases:

• "Si me llevo dos, ¿me hace precio?" (If I take two, will you give me a price?)
• "Pago en efectivo" (I'll pay cash)
• "Es para un regalo" (It's for a gift)
• "Soy cliente frecuente" (I'm a frequent customer)

🚫 Places Without Bargaining

Fixed Price Places:

• Supermercados: Supermarkets
• Shopping centers: Shopping malls
• Farmacias: Pharmacies
• Cadenas: Chain stores
• Cines: Movie theaters

🇦🇷 Bargaining Culture

In Buenos Aires:

• Tourist zones: More common in tourist areas
• Barrios: Normal in neighborhood markets
• Respect: Maintaining mutual respect
• Humor: Humor can help

Bargaining Limits:

• 10-20%: Reasonable discount range
• Reasonable offers: Don't insult with prices
• Know when to stop: Recognize limits
• Maintain respect: Don't be aggressive

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👕 18.4. Clothing and Sizes

Clothing shopping in Argentina and sizing systems.

👔 Types of Clothing

MEN'S CLOTHING:

• Camisa: Shirt
• Pantalón: Pants/Trousers
• Jean: Jeans
• Remera: T-shirt (argentinism)
• Sweater: Sweater
• Campera: Jacket (argentinism)
• Traje: Suit

WOMEN'S CLOTHING:

• Blusa: Blouse
• Falda: Skirt
• Vestido: Dress
• Calza: Tights/Leggings
• Pollera: Skirt (argentinism)
• Tapado: Coat (argentinism)

FOOTWEAR:

• Zapatos: Shoes
• Zapatillas: Sneakers/Athletic shoes
• Botas: Boots
• Sandalias: Sandals
• Ojotas: Flip-flops (argentinism)

📏 Sizing Systems

WOMEN'S SIZES:

• 36: XS
• 38: S
• 40: M
• 42: L
• 44: XL
• 46: XXL

MEN'S SIZES:

• 38: XS
• 40: S
• 42: M
• 44: L
• 46: XL
• 48: XXL

FOOTWEAR:

• 35-45: Standard range
• Medio punto: Half size
• Numeración argentina: Argentine numbering (slightly different)

🛍️ Clothing Shopping Conversations

Asking About Sizes:

• "¿Qué talle usa?" (What size do you wear?)
• "Uso talle 40" (I wear size 40)
• "¿Tienen en talle grande?" (Do you have it in a large size?)
• "¿Este talle cuál es?" (What size is this?)

Trying On:

• "¿Dónde puedo probarme esto?" (Where can I try this on?)
• "Me queda perfecto" (It fits perfectly)
• "Me aprieta un poco" (It's a bit tight)
• "Me queda largo/corto" (It's too long/short)

Colors and Styles:

• "¿Tienen en otro color?" (Do you have it in another color?)
• "Me gusta este estilo" (I like this style)
• "¿Cómo me queda?" (How does it look on me?)
• "No me convence" (I'm not completely convinced)

🎨 Colors and Patterns

BASIC COLORS:

• Negro: Black
• Blanco: White
• Azul: Blue
• Rojo: Red
• Verde: Green
• Amarillo: Yellow
• Rosa: Pink
• Violeta: Purple

PATTERNS:

• A rayas: Striped
• A cuadros: Checkered/Plaid
• A lunares: Polka-dotted
• Estampado: Printed
• Liso: Plain/Solid

💰 Clothing Prices

Price Categories:

• Baratos: Cheap (Once, Avellaneda)
• Medios: Mid-range (shopping centers)
• Caros: Expensive (Palermo, Recoleta)
• De marca: Brand name (imported)

Shopping Tactics:

• "¿Hay oferta?" (Is there a sale?)
• "¿Cuándo son las rebajas?" (When are the sales?)
• "¿Este precio es final?" (Is this the final price?)
• "¿No me hace un descuento?" (Won't you give me a discount?)

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💳 18.5. Price Inquiries and Payments

Modern payment systems in Argentina and price negotiations.

💸 Ways to Ask About Prices

BASIC QUESTIONS:

• "¿Cuánto cuesta?" (How much does it cost?)
• "¿Cuánto vale?" (What's it worth?)
• "¿A cuánto está?" (How much is it going for?)
• "¿Cuál es el precio?" (What's the price?)

DETAILED QUESTIONS:

• "¿Cuánto sale todo junto?" (How much for everything together?)
• "¿Hay descuento por cantidad?" (Is there a quantity discount?)
• "¿El precio incluye IVA?" (Does the price include VAT?)
• "¿Cuánto sin la caja?" (How much without the box?)

💳 Payment Systems

EFECTIVO (Cash):

• Billetes: Paper money
• Monedas: Coins
• Cambio: Change
• Descuento: Cash discount (10-15%)

TARJETAS (Cards):

• Débito: Debit card
• Crédito: Credit card
• 1 pago: One payment
• Cuotas: Installments (3, 6, 12, 18)

DIGITAL PAYMENTS:

• Mercado Pago: Most popular app
• Transferencia bancaria: Bank transfer
• Código QR: QR code payments
• Billetera virtual: Digital wallet

📱 Modern Payment Apps

MERCADO PAGO:

• Código QR: QR code payment
• Link de pago: Payment link
• Transferencias: Money transfers
• Descuentos: App-exclusive discounts

Usage Phrases:

• "¿Acepta Mercado Pago?" (Do you accept Mercado Pago?)
• "Te paso mi CVU" (I'll give you my bank code)
• "¿Podés mandar el link?" (Can you send the link?)
• "Ya te transferí" (I already transferred it)

🧾 Billing and Receipts

INVOICE TYPES:

• Ticket: Simple receipt
• Factura A: For businesses
• Factura B: For consumers
• Factura C: Simplified invoice

Required Information:

• "¿Su CUIT?" (Your tax ID number?)
• "¿Razón social?" (Company name?)
• "¿Su documento?" (Your ID number?)
• "¿Factura o ticket?" (Invoice or receipt?)

🛒 Shopping Scenarios

SUPERMARKET:

• "¿Aceptan tarjeta?" (Do you accept cards?)
• "¿Hay descuento con efectivo?" (Is there a cash discount?)
• "¿Puedo pagar con dos tarjetas?" (Can I pay with two cards?)
• "Córteme 200 gramos de jamón" (Cut me 200 grams of ham)

CLOTHING STORE:

• "¿En cuántas cuotas puedo pagar?" (How many installments can I pay in?)
• "¿Sin interés?" (Interest-free?)
• "¿Hay plan gobierno?" (Is there a government plan?)
• "¿Aceptan tarjeta de otro banco?" (Do you accept cards from other banks?)

🇦🇷 Buenos Aires Payment Culture

Important Details:

• Propina: 10% tip in restaurants and bars
• Cuotas sin interés: Interest-free installments very common
• Efectivo preferido: Small businesses prefer cash
• Mercado Pago everywhere: Widely accepted

Cultural Tips:

• Patience: Payments can take time
• Multiple options: They always offer various ways
• Ask for discounts: Common and accepted
• Keep change: They might not have change

Economic Realities:

• Inflation: Prices change rapidly
• Exchange rates: Important for imported products
• Cash is still king: Cash maintains advantages
• Government plans: State-supported financing

💡 Shopping Tips

Saving Money:

• Ferias: Markets are cheaper
• Outlets: Discount stores
• Temporadas: End-of-season sales
• Promociones: Special promotions

Security:

• Don't flash cash: Be discreet with money
• Use cards: When possible
• Stay aware: Be conscious of surroundings
• Popular areas: Shop in crowded areas