128 CultureShock! Chile
School Clothes
Practically all schoolchildren are required to wear uniforms,
whether in public or private schools. University students are
expected to dress nicely for class. Most wear trendy casual
clothes and jeans are acceptable, but ratty T-shirts and shorts
are not appropriate. Hats are never worn indoors and shoes
are never removed during class. The professor has the right
to ask you to leave if he finds your dress unacceptable.Crafts
Undoubtedly, you will want to buy souvenirs for family and
friends as well as yourself. Typical Chilean products and crafts
include Lapis Lázuli, copper items, pottery, pewter and silver.
The Bellavista neighbourhood is filed with stores that stretch
up Avenida Santa María. Ferias are markets or fairs where you
can find Chilean crafts. Some popular ones are Feria Santa
Lucía across from Santa Lucía Hill, Pueblo de Artesanos de
Los Dominicos at the end of Avenida Apoquindo, El Faro on
Avenida Manquehue and La Aldea de Vitacura on Vitacura
Avenue. These are great places to buy souvenirs for friends
and family back home. These vendors tend not to offer huge
discounts but at ferias outside of Santiago, you should be
able to negotiate a better price.The Informal Sector
The informal sector plays an important part in the country’s
economy. People sell candy, ice cream, fruit, toys, etc. on
buses and on street corners, walking up and down the street
when traffic is stopped at a red light. Vendors can be seen
with their wares laid out on a blanket on the sidewalk, ready
to fold it up and disappear when the police show up. You
can buy almost anything on the street, from jewellery and
accessories to pirated music and movies to dishtowels.STAYING INFORMED AND ENTERTAINED
If you can read and understand Spanish, the local media
has very good news coverage. El Mercurio, the leading
opinion-making newspaper, is very conservative and
indirectly influenced by the church. It is considered a serious