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

72 CultureShock! Chile

There is a genuine interest and an overall positive attitude

towards foreigners in Chile. In certain Latin American

countries, Americans in general are not well liked and

may be treated with animosity. In Chile, however, this is

definitely not the case. Reactions can be either positive

or neutral, but will seldom be outright hostile. All North

American and European foreigners are called gringos, but

this should not be taken as an insult. Sometimes, it is used

as a term of endearment, i.e., la gringita. The United States

is often jokingly referred to as Gringolandia. Europeans are

respected and their cultures are admired. Chileans may

feel a bond with a certain country based on their ancestry.

People from other parts of the world may find it a bit more

difficult to establish close ties with Chileans.

Visiting a Chilean Home

One of the most common ways Chileans express their

hospitality is to invite you into their homes. If you are invited

a comer or to una comida this should be translated as dinner.

The more formal word cena is not regularly used, except by

those who live in southern Chile. The dinner hour is very late

in Chile, beginning no earlier than 9:00 pm and sometimes

as late as 10:30 pm. If you have not yet adapted to the

Chilean eating schedule you may want to snack beforehand,

even though hors d’oeuvres most likely will be offered. The

Tips on Socialising

„ Arrive about 15 minutes after the stated time

„ Bring a small gift for the hostess

„ Greet everyone individually with a kiss on the cheek

or a handshake

„ Dress nicely, no jeans

„ Be prepared to eat at a late hour

„ Inquire about your host’s family

„ Announce your intention to leave 10 to 15 minutes

before you actually leave