The other day, you might've noticed how I wrote about Día del Amigo, Friend's Day. I wrote this post before taking the day to observe how this holiday is celebrated, per sé.
Walking down Puerto Madero from one internship to the other, it was evident that it was not a normal Wednesday. Massive groups of friends walked down the pier, smiling together. You saw groups of adults and kids respectively with people their own age in restaurants, just enjoying each other's company. The usual Buenos Aires PDA (public displays of affection) that stand out on the city benches weren't there...because they were spending time with their friends.
Creeping on random groups of friends
walking down the street on Día del Amigo
Let's look at where American priorities are. We have Mother's Day and Father's Day (so does Argentina), and then besides the usual, proceed to have more Hallmark holidays. Valentine's Day, Sweetest Day...etc. These are all intended for people who have husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, significant others, etc.
Observing this holiday in Argentina made me wish the USA had a day where friends were the only priority. It implies that a simple meal, phone call or email to catch up with old friends is a value, something that needs to be more enforced. Children are taught at an early age that having friends or a group to call your own is something valued, as school children even see their parents spending time with old friends on this day. Although the holiday relates to the landing on the moon, it really has succeeded in instilling the value of friendship into South American culture.
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