Chile - Culture, Etiquette and Business Practices

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What will you Learn?

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You will gain an understanding of a number of key areas including:

• Language
• Religion and beliefs
• Culture and society
• Social etiquette and customs
• Business culture and etiquette

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Hanging out in Isla de Maipo. Photo by Ignacio Amenábar on Unsplash

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Facts and Statistics

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• Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru
• Capital: Santiago
• Population: 17,363,894 (July 2018 est.)
• Ethnic Groups: white and white-Amerindian 95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2%
• Religions: Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish NEGL%

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Language in Chile

• Spanish in the official language of Chile.
• There are also quite a few indigenous languages such as  Mapudungun (spoken between the Itata and Tolten rivers) and Aymara (spoken in the mountains of the north).

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The Gran Torre Santiago by Ximena Nahmias on Unsplash

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Chilean Culture & Society

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Religion

• Most Chileans are Roman Catholics.
• The religion has played a large role in defining social and political life.
• Religious instruction in public schools is almost exclusively Roman Catholic.
• Abortion is actually illegal due to the influence of the Church.
• Divorce was illegal until 2004.
• Most national holidays are religious in nature.
• Chileans of more mature generations still celebrate their saint's day as much as they do their own birthday.
  
  

The Role of the Family

• The family occupies a central role in Chilean life.
• Extended families are very close and will frequently congregate for major occasions and celebrations.
• Family and business are intertwined to the extent that nepotism is seen as a positive concept.
• Many small firms will be 100% family run.
  
  

Class Structure

• Chilean history has had a large influence on modern day class lines.
• Generally speaking, class in drawn along financial lines.
• Today's wealthiest class are more or less the same land owning families of before.
• A middle class has developed of late and now accounts for nearly a half of the population.
• Classes are fluid and it is possible to move either upwards or downwards depending on your salary.
  
  

Social Profiling

• Due to class structures it is commonplace for people to try and deduce another's position in the social rank.
• This is primarily done through external appearances, i.e. dress, etc.
• As a result they present themselves in the best possible way.

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The Church of Colo (Quemchi) by Jaume Galofré on Unsplash

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Etiquette and Manners in Chile

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Meeting & Greeting

• Men will usually shake hands.
• Women generally pat each other on the right forearm or shoulder.
• These are always accompanied by the appropriate greeting for the time of day - "buenos dias" (good morning), "buenas tardes" (good afternoon) or "buenas noches"(good evening).
• Between friends and family things will relax and become more unreserved - men may embrace and energetically pat each other on the back whilst women will kiss once on the right cheek.
• Always let your Chilean counterpart progress to this stage of formality.
• Like many South Americans, Chileans use both their maternal and paternal surnames. The father's surname is listed first and is the one used in conversation.
• If you know of any titles always try to use them.
• If no title exists then simply use "Senor" (male) or "Senora" (female) followed by the surname.
• When addressing older people with whom you have a personal relationship, who may be referred to as "don" (male) or "dona" (female) with their first name.
• First names are used between close friends - wait until invited to move to a first name basis.
  
  

Gift Giving Etiquette

Some general etiquette guidelines include:

• If invited to a Chilean's home, take sweets/chocolates or wine for the hostess.
• Send flowers in advance.
• Do not give yellow roses as they indicate contempt.
• Do not give purple or black flowers as they symbolize death.
• Do not give scissors or knives as they indicate you want to sever the relationship.
• For a young girl's 15th birthday, a gift of gold jewellery is the norm.
• Gifts are opened when received.
  
  
  

Dining Etiquette

• Dining etiquette can be quite formal in Chile.
• As a general rule, observe and follow if ever unsure.
• Here are some basic dining etiquette guidelines:
• When sitting wait to be shown to your place.
• Women sit before men.
• The hostess invites people to eat.
• Keep your hands visible when eating. Keep your wrists resting on the edge of the table.
• Always use utensils to eat.
• Avoid speaking with eating utensils in your hands.
• It is considered polite to finish everything on your plate.
• Wait for a toast to be made before taking the first sip of your drink.
• The host makes the first toast.
• The most common toast is "Salud!"
• When you lift your glass, look at the person being toasted.
• Pour wine with the right hand only.

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Sharing a meal is an important part of relationship building in Chile. Photo taken in Santiago by R. Nyman (CC BY 2.0)

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Business Culture and Etiquette in Chile

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Meeting and Greeting

• Chileans like an element of formality in all they do.
• A firm handshake accompanied with a smile and appropriate greeting is normal in a business setting.
• Direct eye contact is important.
• Some women may not shake hands with men, although this is becoming less common.
• Chileans stand very close when conversing.
• Always use surnames and titles - wait to be invited to use someone's first name.
• Business cards are exchanged on the initial meeting at the very start.
• Try and have one side translated into Spanish.
• Keep cards in good condition - a tatty card will reflect badly on you.
  
  

Business Meetings

• Chile has a relationship driven culture so initial meetings should be used to build a relationship and establish trust. Devote time to non-business discussions and wait for the other party to initiate the change in topic.
• Pay attention to hand movements - gestures change in meaning across cultures.
• It is common to interrupt someone while they are speaking.
• Meetings are not always linear in their progression. Schedules are not very structured and issues can be tackled all at the same time.
• It is important to be patient as time is not of the essence in Chile - meetings will last as long as they need to last.
• Remember that decisions are not made at meetings so it is important to provide all necessary information during the meeting.
• Chileans are generally indirect in their communication styles, but can become very animated and assertive when if they get emotional.
• Communication styles tend to be tuned to people's s feelings. Confrontation is generally avoided in order not to jeopardize another's honour or dignity - it may therefore be necessary to read between the lines in order to fully understand what is really meant.
• Never openly criticize anyone.
  
  

Management

• For information on this topic, visit our Chile Management Guide.

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