Do You Know Diego?

So it is pretty well known that Argentina runs "in the black" for a lot of things, people being paid uner the table and working without papers etc. Most of the corruption starts in the government and with the police, who will usually make problems a lot easier with a little monetary incentive.

The most famous soccer player in the history of Argentina is Diego Maradona, number 10, who scored the winning goal (the first was the most incredible in the history of soccer, so say my landlards, the second he knocked in with his hand, "The Hand of God.") against England in the World Cup in '86.

When you encounter a problem, let's say you were speeding or you committed some other minor infraction, the policeman might ask you "Do you know Diego?" This is the code that he wants you to slip him a tenner. Classic!

Another story involves a guy caught drunk driving in a provincia outside BA. He had to go to court where his punishment was not to get caught drunk driving again within the next three months.

When you go through the tolls on the freeway you hear a lot of people honking their horns. If there is a lot of congestion and people honking, so the legend goes, they will eventually just put up the bridge and let everyone through. Worth a try!