First Impressions

Welcome to Argentina! We’re thrilled you’ll be celebrating with us. We know you may not speak much Spanish or be familiar with Argentine customs, so here is a brief guide to help you connect with Lucas’s parents—Señor Consoli (Donato) and Beatriz—in a respectful and warm way.

Greetings: Hellos & Goodbyes

• Women and men: A kiss on the right cheek.

• Men with men: A firm handshake plus a cheek kiss while holding the handshake.

Forms of Address

• Father: First time, call him “Señor Consoli.” After that, you may call him “Donato” (or “Don Consoli” as a courtesy title).

• Mother: Simply call her “Beatriz.”

• Important: Never use “Doña” for Beatriz.

Nonverbal Cues

• Don’t rush past them without a greeting—acknowledgment is important.

• Physical contact (like a friendly pat on the shoulder) is welcome.

• Direct eye contact is fine; they don’t mind close personal space.

Showing Respect & Inclusion

Cultural Sensitivities

• They are somewhat conservative, but they aren’t easily offended by casual conversation. They won’t hold back their own opinions if they disagree, so be ready for frank discussions.

How to Invite Participation

• • Father (the “master of the house”): You don’t need to defer to him in conversation, but be aware that he may jump in with his opinions and might come across as formal or reserved at first.

  • Mother (enjoys dance & new experiences):

  • Inviting her to dance is a great way to include her.

  • She also loves discussing yoga, architecture, or esoteric topics like Reiki or past-life therapy.

Conversation Starters & Topics

• Safe topics: River Plate (soccer), finance, industry (plastics & pharmaceuticals), Italy, design, yoga, esoteric practices.

• They have no true “taboos,” but expect them to share strong opinions if they disagree.

Compliments & Acknowledgments

• Mother’s Recovery: A simple acknowledgment—“It’s wonderful to see you doing so well after everything you’ve been through”—goes a long way.

• Father’s Pride as an Entrepreneur:

• Express genuine admiration for his self-made journey.

• It’s respectful to mention, “Lucas told me about your story—I’m impressed by all you’ve achieved!”

Practical Details (Meals, Drinks, Socializing)

Dietary Preferences & Restrictions

• Father is allergic to peppers. If you’re offering or bringing food, ask what he can eat and confirm no peppers are in it.

• He loves tea and doesn’t drink alcohol much—but he does enjoy red wine or a gin tonic in a very specific ratio (see below).

Beverage Choices & Serving Etiquette

• Gin Tonic “Ratio”: He prefers half a measure of gin, and then topped off with tonic + sparkling water (not just tonic alone).

• They don’t mind if you bring your own beverage to share.

Invitations & Participation

• Dance Invitations: They’re usually shy about initiating, but:

• Mother will be happy if invited (even if she says “no” initially, she might join later).

• Father may say “no” at first but could change his mind; he also appreciates being invited.

Language & Communication

Key Phrases warm their hearts, so start with a brief Spanish greeting. Then you can say you don’t speak much Spanish and slow the conversation. If you get stuck, ask an interpreter (Lucas, a bilingual friend, or sibling).

Suggested “Shortlist” of Spanish Phrases

• “Hola, ¿cómo están?” (Hello, how are you both?)

• “Mucho gusto” (Nice to meet you)

• “Gracias” (Thank you)

• “¿Necesitan algo?” (Do you need anything?)

• “Me alegra verte tan bien” (I’m happy to see you doing so well) – Good for Beatriz’s recovery.

• “¡Salud!” (Cheers!)

Using Translators or Interpreters

• There will be an interpreter on hand, or you can ask any bilingual family member for help if you’re stuck.

• There are also many apps and devices for sharing extended conversation through real-time transcription if you're willing and interested!

Conversation Pitfalls & Faux Pas

• Avoid using “fuck” or similarly strong English expletives in front of them.

• Avoid using very casual Argentinian slang like “boludo,” especially in front of them—it’s too informal.

• Saying “che” is generally okay if you’re comfortable, but not required.

Lucas' Parents' Background & Personal Story

Family History & Pride

• Father’s background: Italian immigrant farmers—he’s very proud, but there are no specific anecdotes he insists on sharing.

• Mother’s background: Architecture, design, yoga, and esoteric practices.

• Asking about these topics is a great way to make her feel special.

What Respect Specifically Looks Like

• Father: Let him finish talking before giving your opinions.

• Mother: Prefers warm gestures (a brief hug or cheek kiss) more than formality.

Family Pride & Boundaries

• Mother loves talking about her four children; it’s not rude to change the subject if the conversation flows naturally.

• Business matters: You can mention that you know Flavia (Lucas’s sister) works with the father, but don’t pretend you know too many details.

Wedding Context

Ceremony & Reception

There may or may not be a moment where they’re center stage (speech, first dance, etc.). If it happens, be attentive and participate as you can.

Involving Parents in Photos or Groups

• They’ll join photos if:

  • They’ve already had a warm introduction/conversation.

  • You ask or gesture them to join once, politely. (Don’t push too hard with the father if he seems hesitant.)

Ensuring They Feel Included

Parts of the wedding might be mostly in English, and we’ll sort out details later. If you can share a small Spanish phrase or toast, it will help them feel more included.

Spanish Toast or Congratulatory Lines

A few simple lines your friends could practice:

• “Felicitaciones, Señor Consoli y Beatriz.” (Congratulations, Mr. Consoli and Beatriz.)

• “Gracias por recibirnos en este día tan especial.” (Thank you for hosting us on this special day.)

• “Les deseamos toda la felicidad.” (We wish you all the happiness.)

Final Tips

• Respectful Greeting: Use the suggested Spanish phrases to say hello. Don’t worry about being perfect; they appreciate the effort!

• Listen Actively: They enjoy sharing opinions—feel free to share yours too, but let them finish speaking.

• Be Genuine: A simple compliment or offer of help goes further than any expensive gift.

• Ask Before You Offer Food: Keep allergies and dietary restrictions in mind—especially peppers for Donato.

• Invite Them to Join: Whether it’s dancing, chatting, or photos, a gentle invitation is enough. They might say no at first but could come around later.

• Enjoy the Experience: They’re proud and happy hosts, excited to meet you and share in the wedding. Show sincere interest in their stories (and strong opinions!) and you’ll have a memorable cultural exchange.