248 CultureShock!CultureShock! Chile Chile
or society. Another important factor is the intensity of family
bonds in Chile, where even married children may choose to
live with their parents. The possessiveness of pololeando,
or dating, in Chile may appear extreme, but is considered
normal in their culture. His desire to see her and talk to her
constantly is a typical expression of his fondness for her.SITUATION NINE
You are just arriving in Chile for a temporary, but long stay.
You are in the process of settling in and buying the many
things you will need. You decide that you need to buy
a car; some furniture; some food for the refrigerator;
and some Chilean knick-knacks to make the house look
homey. Are the prices for these items set in stone or do you
bargain to get a better price?Comments
Car. Negotiate the price. You can expect to get about
a 10 per cent discount off the sticker price.
Furniture. Depends. If you are looking to buy furniture
in a department store expect to pay the amount on the
price tag. At furniture stores, if you pay cash or buy
multiple items, you can ask for a discount.
Food. Set price. Whether you are buying food at a super-
market, at an open air market (feria), or even from a guy
selling a bag of avocados on the corner, you pay the
price asked.
Knick-knacks. Depends. If you are buying knick-knacks
in a store you need to pay the asking price. Even at a
feria in the city, vendors may be unwilling to haggle.
However, if you are in a rural area or are buying large
quantities, you might be able to negotiate a better price.