For a more extensive overview of Culture, Customs and Traditions in Chile check out the Culture section on our ChipWiki!
Manners
Thanks to a long history of immigration, Chilean manners have a largely European character. For example, the customary greeting between a man and a woman or between two women is a kiss on the cheek. When men greet each other they simply shake hands. For Chileans, the greeting is very important. Unless there are a large number of people present, it is generally inappropriate to greet someone by simply saying "hello." Take a few moments to greet people you have not met or you have not seen during the day.
Chilean men are more likely to follow rules of chivalry, although Chilean women may tell you this is changing. Men are expected to open doors for women and to give up their seat on the bus or Metro. On the bus or Metro, this is especially true for older women.
Chileans are known to have relaxed attitude towards punctuality. It is not considered inappropriate to arrive up to a half-an-hour late. If you arrive early, expect to wait.
Informal vs. Formal
Anyone who has taken a Spanish class knows the difference between tú and Usted. Usted, the formal form of "you", is gradually phasing out of Chilean society. It is becoming increasingly common to refer to nearly everyone as tú, the informal form of "you." College students often refer to their professors using the tú form, as do children to their grandparents.
Speaking in the Usted form is still a perfect way to show respect. Use Usted when speaking to the elderly and in formal situations. Usted is also used between families and their domestic help.
Meals
Lunch (almuerzo) is the principal meal of the day. Since Chilean professionals work long hours, they commonly take the time to eat a leisurely lunch. Lunch usually consists of an appetizer (entrada), a salad (ensalada), an entre (plato de fondo), a dessert (postre) and a drink (bebida). These elements often come together as a special lunch deal called a colación or menú ejecutivo. Restaurants select a short list of options for the colación, but the price is always lower than choosing separate items from the menu. The colación may be available only during lunchtime, from about 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Chilean breakfast is fairly simple. It usually consists of a cup of coffee or tea with bread and butter. It often includes fruit or yogurt. Supermarkets offer many breakfast options, however, including most popular breakfast cereals.
The evening meal is tea, called once. Once is another light meal, comprising of coffee or tea and bread with butter, ham or cheese.
Photo courtesy of Gonsalou
Tipping and Bargaining
In most restaurants and bars you should tip 10 percent. Waiters and waitresses receive low wages, so tips are always appreciated.
There is no need to tip taxi drivers, but fares are commonly rounded up.
Tip supermarket bag boys/girls as you see fit. They are not paid by the supermarket and earn only tips. Parking attendants will expect a tip.
You may negotiate prices in most open-air markets and craft fairs, but not all salesmen are willing to haggle. In the provinces, hotel prices are sometimes negotiable, especially during off-seasons. Smaller bus companies will lower prices if they think it will convince you to buy a ticket.
Chileans Attitudes Toward Certain Social Groups
Read a brief summary of some of the general and salient attitudes among
Chilean society toward women, foreigners and sexual minorities.
Treatment of Foreigners
Chileans are hospitable towards foreigners. They are patient if you do
not speak Spanish and are willing to help you learn if you show
interest. They are excited to talk about your country and happy to
introduce you to theirs. This, of course, is not always the case. There
is some unhappy sentiment towards foreigners, especially towards
Americans.
You should not always take offense if a Chilean calls you gringo. The
term does not have the negative connotations that it has in other Latin
American countries, where it is a derogatory term for Americans. In
Chile, gringo is used to refer to any lighter skinned foreigner, not
just people from the United States. A gringo could be any one from the
United States, Canada and Europe.
Treatment of Women
A large number of Chilean men have a very chauvinistic attitude towards
women, a phenomenon known as machismo. Women are subject to whistles
and vulgar language. Men often shout sexually explicit comments
(piropos) to women who they find attractive. Blonde women are
especially subject to this treatment. Women often ignore piropos, since
they would grow tired of reacting to every whistle.
In crowded buses or streets, women may experience unwelcome physical
contact. You will not be putting yourself in danger if you let the
perpetrator know that you disapprove.
Abortion is illegal in Chile. It is estimated that over 165,000
abortions are performed each year and that it is the cause of 10
percent of pregnancy-related deaths. The morning after pill was
legalized in 2007. Chile’s president, Michelle Bachelet, was inaugurated into office in 2005.
Treatment of Sexual Minorities
Though the topic of homosexuality is taboo in Chile’s Catholic society,
Chile is becoming increasingly tolerant of gays and lesbians.
Santiago’s gay community is becoming more public.
Men embracing each other or women holding hands will not draw any
unwanted attention, but Chileans who are intolerant towards
homosexuality may let you know if they see anything out of the
ordinary. As a result, Chilean gays and lesbians do not tend to show
their homosexuality in the streets. Santiago is the most accepting of
sexual minorities, but many smaller towns and regions are not.
There is a growing Transgendered community in Santiago. Dr. Antonio
Salas Vieyra was the first doctor to administer a sex operation in
Chile over 30 years ago in Santiago.
See the Gay Clubs and Bars section for information on Santiago’s GLBT scene.
Political and Social Organizations for Gays and Lesbians
As the gay and lesbian community becomes increasingly public, Chile’s
homosexual rights movement builds momentum. There are a handful of
organizations that represent the interests of the gay and lesbian
community and work towards building greater tolerance. The principal
gay rights groups came together in 1998 to form the Movimiento
Unificado de Minorías Sexuales (Unified Movement of Sexual Minorities).
Addresses
Movimiento Unificado de Minorías Sexuales (Unified Movement of Sexual Minorities)
Viollier 87
Providencia
(2) 634-7557
Metro Station Parque Bustamonte
Movimiento de Integración y Liberación Homosexual
Coquimbo 1410
Santiago
fono/fax: (56-2) 671 48 55
http://www.movilh.org/
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