Culture Shock! Chile - A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette

220 CultureShock! Chile

such a personal relationship

needs to be developed. Chileans

will always inquire about your

family. This is not considered

prying, but rather a friendly sign

that they are truly interested.

You should always ask about

their families as well. If time

is not a problem, it would be

a good idea to briefly bring

up other topics like Chilean

wines, the salmon industry, the

pension system or the economy

in general before getting to the

heart of the matter. It shows

that you have taken the time

to learn about Chile and also

gives Chileans an opportunity to boast about how well their

country is doing.

In keeping with the Chilean belief that plain is better and

fancy is in bad taste, business cards should be kept very

simple. Name, title, firm and contact information should be

written in plain script. Do not attempt to dress it up with

fancy colours, emblems or ornate logos.

Latin America is synonymous with graft for many people.

This stereotype may have some basis in other countries, but

in reality Chileans are generally honest. Grafting on all levels

is considered a serious offense. In your business dealings

with Chilean public officials you should be very careful

not to imply that bribery is a bargaining tool.

Conducting Business in Chile

„ Do arrive on time

„ Do conduct business in an office

„ Do dress conservatively

„ Do take time to inquire about family (make it personal)

„ Do not offer bribes

For those who do not have a
specific job but would like to work
in Chile it is always risky to arrive
in a country without any concrete
leads. It is not impossible for a
foreigner to find work in Chile in a
corporation or non-governmental
organization, but it will take a lot of
dedication and a little luck. If you
have any pitutos (connections)
your search may prove more
fruitful. Many Americans who set
off to Chile in search of work end
up as private English teachers
and, although financially this line
of work is viable, professionally it
may not be the best alternative
for you. If you cannot find a job,
you will be unable to secure a visa
to stay in Chile on a long-term
basis and will have to exit every
three months.