food
The mainstay of the Uruguayan diet is meat, particularly beef. Uruguayans are known for being among the largest consumers of beef per capita in the world. The national dish of Uruguay can be said to be churrasco, or grilled steak. Sometimes the meat is grilled with the skin on to keep it from drying out.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Italians immigrated to Uruguay. As a result, pasta is a national food. Pasta is preferred to be eaten on Sundays. Most of the home cooking in Uruguay also has a Spanish influence, and almost every meal includes soup.
The chivito is a popular fast food. It is a hot steak sandwich, topped with bacon, eggs, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes.
People in Uruguay eat plenty of bread and ship biscuits (galleta marina), which are mostly made of white flour. Many also consume dairy products, including dulce de leche, which is the country's national dessert. Other Uruguayan desserts are pastries, milk and egg pudding, and rice pudding.
Mate is a strong tea-like beverage that is very popular in Uruguay. It is made by infusing coarsely ground leaves of Yerba Mate with hot water in a gourd and it is drunk through a metal straw with a bombilla (terminal filter). Uruguayans typically drink mate in social settings, at family gatherings or with friends. Coffee and tea are other beverages that Uruguayans enjoy.
The chivito is a popular fast food. It is a hot steak sandwich, topped with bacon, eggs, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes.
People in Uruguay eat plenty of bread and ship biscuits (galleta marina), which are mostly made of white flour. Many also consume dairy products, including dulce de leche, which is the country's national dessert. Other Uruguayan desserts are pastries, milk and egg pudding, and rice pudding.
Mate is a strong tea-like beverage that is very popular in Uruguay. It is made by infusing coarsely ground leaves of Yerba Mate with hot water in a gourd and it is drunk through a metal straw with a bombilla (terminal filter). Uruguayans typically drink mate in social settings, at family gatherings or with friends. Coffee and tea are other beverages that Uruguayans enjoy.
Lunch is the most substantial meal of the day. Many Uruguayans are given a two-hour lunch break that enables them to go home for a large home-cooked meal with their families. Wine and beer are common beverages to be served with lunch and dinner.
Clothing
Uruguayan apparel is fairly similar to that in other European countries and the United States. Gauchos, who are cowboys that live in the rural parts of Uruguay, may wear the more traditional outfit of baggy pants (bombachas), a wide-brimmed hat, a woolen poncho, and leather boots.
Sports
Uruguayans are passionate about fútbol (soccer). Twice their nation has won the World Cup, once in 1930 and once in 1950. It has also taken the gold medal in the 1924 Paris Olympics. Two of the country's great players are Diego Forlan and Luis Suárez.
Fútbol is played late in the evening in a highly energized atmosphere of excited fans. It is an important part of Uruguay culture and one that parents want to introduce to their children at an early age.
Other popular sports that Uruguayans take part in are rodeos, horse racing, and polo.
Fútbol is played late in the evening in a highly energized atmosphere of excited fans. It is an important part of Uruguay culture and one that parents want to introduce to their children at an early age.
Other popular sports that Uruguayans take part in are rodeos, horse racing, and polo.
music
Uruguayan music is very diverse. Tango is the most readily identifiable form of Uruguayan music, but there are many other popular forms as well. Candombe, murga, milonga, rock, cumbia, and jazz are just a few of the other types of music that Uruguayans enjoy.
Etiquette
As in other parts of South America, formality in social situations is typical. People should be addressed by their full name and title unless they are invited to do otherwise. A firm handshake is the usual greeting. Friends and relatives often embrace upon meeting. Some friends kiss on the cheeks when greeting and departing, and a typical goodbye is the Italian ciao or addio instead of the Spanish adios. Dining is performed with the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right. Social distance is much closer than in North America.