Greetings
Greetings are an important part of Chilean culture. Handshakes are the most common way to greet someone and are often accompanied by a greeting like “buenos dias” (good day). Eye contact is vital in Chile, and showing respect by touching someone’s eyes shows politeness. It is also common for men to kiss women on the cheek as a greeting.
Let’s explore Chilean cultural customs and etiquette further when it comes to greetings:
Handshakes
Greetings in Chile are very formal and are accompanied by a handshake and direct eye contact. In Chile, people address each other formally until invited to use their first name. Some families may prefer a kiss on the cheek instead of a handshake.
The handshake is usually firm but can be quicker than in some other countries. It is crucial to address the person based on their profession — “senor” (sir) or “senora” (ma’am). After conversing for a while, you may be asked to use their first name but still maintain respect when addressing them.
Embraces are considered appropriate but often reserved for close family members and friends. It is special for those who have known each other for years or have just met after not seeing each other. Showing some extra care, parents are known to embrace their children longer and more warmly than other members of society upon greeting them.
Greeting With a Kiss
In Chile, shaking hands is a standard greeting among most people. Men meeting each other may also do one kiss on the cheek as a form of greeting, depending upon how close they are. Women typically greet each other with two kisses on the cheek, although this is more common in the larger cities; in more rural or smaller towns, it’s still considered polite to do two kisses, but it’s not necessarily expected.
When meeting someone for the first time, you should address them formally as “usted” regardless of their age or gender. It’s possible that if you meet someone in more of an informal context, such as at a barbeque or party, they may address you using “tu” and refer to themselves using “vos,” but it would still be polite to address them using “usted.” Also, bear in mind that men do not generally kiss each other in greeting—shaking hands is the preferred form for men and women alike) when introducing themselves.
Dining Etiquette
Dining etiquette in Chile is quite similar to other Latin American countries. In Chile, taking small sips of a drink is common before each bite of food. The host generally pays for the meals, which guests should acknowledge by saying thank you. It’s polite always to greet the people at the table if you don’t know them well. It’s also customary to bring a small gift when invited to someone’s home for dinner.
Table Manners
Chileans prefer dining at home to going out to restaurants and view it as an opportunity for quality family time. Therefore, it can take a while before a dinner invitation is issued in Chile. If you are invited to someone’s home, arrive on time and dress smartly. It is courteous to bring flowers or a small gift, such as wine or desserts. However, it is important not to go over the top with your gesture; something small and simple will be greatly appreciated.
It is customary for men of old-fashioned households in Chile to greet the female members of the family first when arriving at someone’s home; men should shake hands with other male guests upon arrival. Female guests may go around kissing those present on both cheeks, depending on their familiarity and how formal the meal is expected.
Table manners tend to be formal – sleeves should remain on the table, and no elbows should be placed against surfaces – but are enforced less rigorously than in many other South American countries allowing diners more informal leeway when it comes to posture and eating sequences. Here are some tips on dining etiquette in Chile:
- The knife rests in its holder between bites;
- Bread will not usually be served but can become available occasionally;
- Don’t finish every last morsel of food so as not to seem too greedy or unappreciative – leave one bite unfinished if possible;
- Put your first fork down before taking up another one so as not to appear inefficient at table etiquette;
- Always place your napkin directly onto your lap as soon as you sit down;
- Don’t swish anything except water around a glass before drinking it;
- If there are two forks next to each set for different courses, then wait for guidance from your host about which one takes precedence over the other.
Dining etiquette tends toward politeness rather than strictly observing all these rules, though!
Toasting
Toast-making is an important skill in social situations in Chile. It requires confidence that can only be acquired over time and through practice. Toasts may lead off a meal, appear at any time during the dinner and often end the meal. If a toast is made, it is best to respond with a polite toast of your own, should you feel so inclined.
The most common toasts used in Chile are:
- ¡Salud! – This means “cheers” and is used to wish good health to the person or persons being toasted.
- ¡Por la familia! – This means “to the family” and can be used to honor the person’s family or invite them into your group of friends.
- ¡Viva el amor! – This means “long live love” and honors all forms of romantic love.
- ¡A su salud! – This translates to “to your health.”
Although these are some common examples, any uplifting message can work as long as it’s spoken from the heart. For example, eye contact should be made when giving a toast to provide it with sincerity—the more eye contact you make with each person honored by your toast, the more meaningful it will be!
Gift Giving Etiquette
Gift-giving is an important part of Chilean cultural customs and etiquette. It can be a symbol of showing respect, admiration, and gratitude. In Chilean culture, the gift quality is not as important as the gesture of giving it.
When giving a gift to a Chilean, it is essential to give them something of good quality that conveys your admiration and respect. Additionally, you should be sure to wrap the gift in something elegant, such as wrapping or tissue paper.
Appropriate Gifts
In Chilean culture, gifting is a significant part of social customs. When invited to a Chilean person’s home, bringing your host a small present such as chocolates, flowers, or wine is customary. Thoughtful gifts reflect favorably on you as the guest. Personalized presents that are more elaborate and expensive are also welcomed if appropriate for the level of the relationship. Be sure to ask before giving gifts of great value to close friends and family, as over-gifting can be seen as ostentatious or inappropriate.
It is not always necessary to bring a gift for the host when invited for dinner or drinks: typically, just bringing yourself is enough! However, chocolates or spirits are an excellent option if you want to bring something in your host’s honor. If sending flowers, make sure not to send funeral arrangements (white lilies or chrysanthemums are traditionally for funerals).
For Christmas and holiday gifts, think of unique items in advance that hold special meaning within the culture – purchasing something at the last minute could be thoughtless and inappropriate. For example, popular Chile-inspired presents include:
- Cloths that incorporate indigenous patterns and styles;
- Souvenirs such as Santiago snowglobes;
- Paintings by Chilean artists;
- Books of poetry by famous Chilean authors;
- Artisanal products from local markets;
- Bottles of quality wines produced in Chile vineyards; and
- Thoughtful religious items (such as Rosaries).
Gift Wrapping
Gift-giving is an important part of social and family customs in Chile. However, it’s important to remember that Chileans are very particular about how gifts are presented. For example, red and yellow gift wrapping paper should be avoided as these colors are associated with death and mourning. Similarly, gifts in the shape of a coffin or a mask should also be avoided as this will be seen as disrespectful.
The appropriate gift-wrapping method uses brightly colored shiny paper, such as gold and blue, along with lace ribbons. If possible, it is recommended to use the Chilean flag colors red, blue, and white (in any combination) to wrap your gifts. Most importantly, ensure you don’t forget to tie the gift ribbon into a bow since this symbolizes happiness!
Social Etiquette
Chile is an interesting country with a rich culture, and as with any country, there are certain social customs and etiquette to follow. From hand gestures to how to address someone, it’s important to understand Chile’s social etiquette to make a good impression on those around you.
In this article, we’ll explore the different customs and etiquette related to social interactions in Chile:
Introductions
Chileans possess a strong national pride and consider themselves relatively more progressive than their neighbors in Latin America. It partly has to do with the structure of Chilean society, which still has hierarchical solid elements related to class and decision-making power. Therefore, when meeting someone for the first time, it’s important to show appreciation for the person you are introduced to, especially if different levels of status or age are involved.
During introductions, men should always shake hands. For women, whether to shake hands or kiss on the cheek depends on familiarity; women’s friends and acquaintances will usually kiss each other on the cheek and not offer a handshake. Likewise, it’s important not to hug as Chileans practice polite physical distance, even between close friends or family members, and hugging would be inappropriate. When meeting someone older, you should use formal titles such as señor (mister) o señora (miss).
When socializing with Chileans, let them initiate topics of conversation as they consider it slightly rude when visitors attempt to steer away conversations by bringing up issues that lack relevance in Chilean culture; sports is often a safe bet when starting conversations with locals!
Conversation Topics
When conversing politely with Chilean people, it is important to keep topics light and entertaining. Avoid discussing controversial issues like politics, religion, or money in a more casual setting, such as dinner – topics that can be discussed in heated debates.
Chileans are quite proud of their culture, so they discuss Chilean art, music, and literature on a positive note. Other appropriate conversation topics include discussing family and friends, physical landscapes and geography of the country, outdoor activities like hiking and skiing, local sports teams, cooking techniques and recipes popular in Chile, traditional festivals throughout Chile’s regions, and people’s travels.
Additionally, friends who have experienced their travels worldwide may enjoy sharing stories of their experiences with one another. While it is important to respect the other person’s opinion when conversing with Chileans, it should also be noted that not all agree on specific topics, such as religion or politics. Therefore it is best to stick to lighthearted conversations about everyday life experiences or hobbies when making small talk with your Chilean peers.
Cultural Etiquette
Understanding the culture and customs of Chile is an important part of visiting or living in the country. Even though Chile is a modern and progressive nation, certain customs should be followed to maintain respect and courtesy. Knowing the cultural etiquette of Chile will also help you avoid embarrassing situations or unintentionally offending someone.
Here we will discuss the essential cultural etiquette for Chile:
Respect for Elders
Chile has deep-rooted traditions instilled in people from a young age. In Chilean society, respect for the elderly and seniors is paramount. In traditional Chilean families, children are expected to respect their elders and show them deference and appreciation.
Children must address their elders with honorific titles such as “Don” or “Doña” (for males and females, respectively). It is important that children never forget respect due to an elderly person, as any sign of disrespect will not be tolerated in Chilean culture.
In formal business meetings, one should behave respectfully towards those with higher status than oneself. For example, those who hold positions of power will usually be older than the average employee, so ensuring due respect and civilly treating them should be a priority. One should also strive to show humility when speaking with someone more experienced or knowledgeable than themselves.
Aside from showing general politeness when attending social gatherings or events hosted by Chileans, visitors should avoid initiating conversations about religion or politics unless requested to do so by their host. These topics tend to evoke strong opinions amongst Chileans that could lead to unpleasant encounters or disagreements between parties.
Respect for Religion
When visiting Chile, it is important to be aware of the cultural and religious customs present throughout the country. Chile is predominantly Christian, with an estimated 77 percent of its population identifying as Roman Catholic, 16.4 percent as evangelical Protestant, and six percent as non-denominational Christian. The remaining 0.5 percent of the population consists of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Buddhists, and other religions.
It is essential to respect local traditions and customs when interacting with Chileans, particularly during religious celebrations or practices like mass. For example, it is considered rude to wear clothing that exposes your legs and shoulders or to enter a Catholic church without covering your head (both men and women). Also, it is inappropriate to photograph religious ceremonies or statues without asking permission first. The Chilean motto of “Dios y Patria” (which translates to God and Country) should also be kept in mind when traveling through the country; honoring spiritual beliefs and respecting country customs are greatly appreciated by locals alike.