Walking Contradiction

In Buenos Aires it is not uncommon for people to begin eating supper (even on a week night) until 10 pm. People do not go out to the clubs (or boliches) until at least 2 am (but the music doesn't get good until after 4 am - or so we are told) and things are notoriously late, schedules are merely a suggestion. Service here is a different game than elsewhere in North America, and in order to maintain your sanity it is necessary to adjust your standards accordingly. It is not uncommon to go to the ticket counter (or any counter, for that matter...), ask for something, the vendor looks at you, hears your order and then continues (or begins) a conversation with their coworker. About related things. Like their relationship, television, how hot it is. I sometimes would wonder if they heard me in the first place, but I have since realized that is just how it is. People do things when they are ready, and not a minute earlier. People get to things when they get to them. It's cool, man. No rush.

And here is the only exception.

Crossing the street.

Yes. Let me explain a little something here. Traffic in this city is no joking matter. The streets are often one way and it is not uncommon for there to be six lanes of traffic (in the downtown core!). However, this does not seem to phase porteños (the people of Buenos Aires), who will dart across the street halfway, waiting for the busses barrelling down the street full speed, to pass, before continuing quickly across the road to - what? I'm not sure. From what I can tell they just continue walking at a regular (read: slow) pace. It is all a bit confusing.

So, what I have decided is this: they are a people eager to hurry up, in order to continue to move slow.

I don't get it.