The surest sign that you are inextricably acculturated in Argentina? You have a stamp with your name on it!
I had to get this made in order to complete the paperwork for the health-care people who might agree to pay me. Every time I see it it makes me giggle.
I have yet to understand the fascination with rubber stamps here. I used to think it was about ensuring the genuine-ness of the signature, until I took my kids to the doctor to complete their school medical papers. He filled in the form and forgot to stamp and sign it. So the next day I went back to the clinic and asked if he was there. Don’t worry, said the receptionist, I can stamp that for you. She opened a drawer to reveal an array of stamps with the name of probably every single professional who has ever worked at the hospital. She stamped the paper, and drew a squiggle over the top. Which leaves me suspecting that the main reasons are probably not a lot more sophisticated than self-importance and looking nice. Mine is a self-inking variety, and it makes a satisfying ka-chunk sound.
My paperwork went in on Monday, and there is a big meeting that I’m not invited to on Thursday. After which I should know my fate, or hopefully at least be a bit closer, depending on how many more pieces of paper and rubber stamps they ask for. Ka-chunk, ka-chunk, ka-chunk…