Chile Customs and Etiquette

GREETINGS AND PUBLIC BEHAVIOR
South Americans are generally warm, tactile people who converse in close proximity. Get used to being cozy with your Chilean companions, because backing away is considered offensive. When greeting a group of Chileans, it is important to smile, make eye contact, and shake hands firmly with everyone present, as a group greeting can seem standoffish. Closer male friends may hug and pat each other’s backs affectionately; women often greet each other by touching cheek to cheek and quickly cheek-kissing. Men and women follow this practice as well, but only in non-professional situations

Smoking at social functions is pretty standard, but if you are going to light up, offer a cigarette to your companions first. Always arrive fashionably late for social functions—15 to 30 minutes after the invitation time is customary. If you get there on time or early, you may catch your host or hostess off-guard. (Promptness is essential, however, for business functions.)

HOUSEGUEST CUSTOMS
Bringing a gift to a home you are visiting is an appropriate gesture, as long as you don’t choose anything too expensive that might seem flashy. Gifts from your home country that aren’t available in Chile, such as your country’s native handicrafts, candy, or liquor, are a good bet. You’ll also score points if you bring small tokens, such as candy or games, to any children in the household that you are visiting.

Flowers are acceptable gifts, but send them before your arrival or bring them with you so that they don’t seem an afterthought. Avoid yellow roses, a sign of contempt, and black and purple flowers, which symbolize death. If you receive a gift, open it immediately in front of your host and express enthusiastic thanks.

TABLE MANNERS
Chilean manners can be a bit more formal than those of other South American countries, but keeping a few things in mind will help you make a good impression on your Chilean acquaintances. Be sure that you know the correct utensils for each course—eating anything with your hands, even french fries, is a definite faux pas. Placing your hands in your lap while at the table is a sign of deception, so keep both hands above the table at all times. It is polite to sample everything that served and to compliment the host or hostess on all of the eats.

Meals in Chile are often more about conversation and visiting than the food itself. Enjoy leisurely meals with your Chilean friends—stay for conversation rather than taking off when your plate is clean.

If you go out to eat, the person who makes the invitation often pays. Don’t expect to share in the bill, but plan to reciprocate with a similar invitation at a later date. Arrange ahead of time to pay the bill in a restaurant if you made the invitation. You will have to ask for la cuenta (the bill) at the end of the meal—the waiter won’t rush you out by bringing it automatically.

TABOOS
If you make some gestures common in other areas of the world, you may unintentionally offend your new Chilean friends. Be careful not to slap your right fist into a left open palm—this is a strong insult in Chile. Displaying an open palm with fingers splayed is taken to mean “stupid.” Make sure to point and beckon with your entire hand instead of your index finger. Also, do not raise your right fist near your head—this is a communist-associated taboo in Chile.