But, despite all this, it is clear that the Argentine people are very proud of it, and like any massive and popular activity or custom, stories or myths are always created, which are spread by word of mouth and from generation to generation.
We have all heard one. It can be about the first mate taken in a round, the last one, the direction in which the round is taken or even the temperature of the water. Some of the best known are here.
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Mate is the Argentine infusion par excellence.
What does it mean to drink the last mate
Perhaps the best known, the one that everyone once heard. This is the last mate of the round. When there is no more water, the one who was “lucky” enough to drink the last mate is told that he is going to get married.
What does it mean to take the penultimate mate
In line with the first point, the last one does not have the same “luck” as the second to last, since it is announced to him that he was or will be the victim of infidelity.
What does it mean when they pass you the empty mate without being the starter?
In case of being in a round with other people, if one of the members decides to pass the empty mate to someone other than the starter, he must pass his hand along the base of the mate as if he were taking something out and put it in his pocket, to receive money. Or, in other places, it is customary to kiss the base to receive luck.
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Mate is the Argentine infusion par excellence.
Who should take the first mate of the round
If there were a matero code, this would be one of its most important rules: the person in charge of baiting has the right and duty to take the first mate of the round.
What should the meaning of the mate round be like?
A little more for the superstitious, it is said that the cebador will be in charge of distributing the mate in a round, and that this must start in a clockwise direction. If you choose to start the other way, the water in the mate will cool quickly.