Chilean Cultural Traditions
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TheTheThe chileanchileanchilean waywayway THE SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR EVERY TRAVELER IN CHILE Welcome to chile You’ve found us, all the way down here at the end of the world! Hanging from the edge of the South American continent, our thin strip of a country is fast becoming a hotspot for travelers seeking adventure and untouched nature. That’s why you’re here, looking for unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences in a beautiful country. Well, as you’re about to discover, you’ve definitely come to the right place! This skinny country is home to some of the best natural landscapes on Earth, a vibrant cultural scene, exciting gastronomic opportunities, and outdoor adventures for everyone. We’re thrilled that you want to come and explore Chile with us, and to help you be as prepared as possible and get the maximum enjoyment out of your trip, we’ve prepared this guide covering the basics of what you may encounter during your stay in Chile. Learn what Chileans love to eat on a daily basis, how to master the regional slang, what kind of documentation you’ll need, how to navigate public transportation, and more! Happy exploring! Best, Your friends at Cascada Expediciones and EcoCamp Patagonia Follow Us & Check out our latest stories www.cascada.travel table of contents Fast Facts 4 Brief History of Chile 5 Social Etiquette, Customs & Manners, and Cultural Traditions 6 Chilean Spanish (Chilenismos) 8 Public Transport 9 Currency, Documentation, and Emergency Services 10 Chilean Culture 11 Chilean Gastronomy: Food and Beverages 19 Most Popular Destinations 22 Follow Us & Check out our latest stories www.cascada.travel Fast Facts Length: 756,096 km2 (291,930 mi2) Population: 18,006,407 (2015 census) Language: Spanish National flower: Copihue National Dance: Cueca National Sport: Rodeo (most popular, football) Capital City: Santiago de Chile Religion: Roman Catholic Country Telephone Code: 0056 Follow Us & Check out our latest stories www.cascada.travel Brief History of Chile Long before Spanish colonizers arrived, Chile conditions improved across the board. Then, with was home to indigenous groups like the Ona, the World Wars, the economy fell and instability Selknam, Yaghan, and the Mapuches. The returned. Mapuches, a determined tribe of warriors, are legendary for being the only group to thwart the Chile grew to global notoriety in the 1970s with Incas encroaching on their territory, as well as the contentious political climate and election of terrorizing the Spanish and constantly pushing Socialist president Salvador Allende. His term back against colonization. in office divided the country over his radical reforms, and he was killed in a military When the Spanish first arrived in the coup in 1973 led by soon-to-be dictator early 1500s and conquistador Pedro de Augusto Pinochet. Lasting from 1973 to Valdivia founded the capital city of 1989, the Pinochet dictatorship was a Santiago in 1541, the Mapuches dark time. Many people fled the (known as the Araucanians to country fearing their lives and the Spanish) led bloody raids lived in exile. During his time in against them, burning cities office, Pinochet ruled with an and towns. iron fist. Suspected insurgents were arrested, tortured for After Napoleon occupied information, exiled, were Spain in the early 1800s, kept in prison on trumped the ruling elite of Chile up charges, or simply staged a junta and disappeared, all carried out started to work towards by Pinochet’s feared secret independence from Spain. police force. Finally, in 1989, After years of struggle, Chile finally Pinochet allowed democrat elections declared independence in 1818. to be held, and he was voted out of office. Political instability and skirmishes with Peru and Bolivia before and Today, Chile is one of the most stable during the War of the Pacific besieged and safe countries in South America, Chile’s early years as a young, with a thriving economy that has drawn independent republic. In the late immigrants from countries such as 1800s, global demand for nitrate Venezuela and Bolivia looking for helped the economy stabilize, and with it, the security and jobs. Recent booms in tourism Congress was able to get a foothold as well and and IT have drawn global attention as well. Follow Us & Check out our latest stories www.cascada.travel Social Etiquette, Customs and Manners, and Cultural Traditions Seasoned travelers know that when exploring a new country, one of the most exciting parts is discovering and learning about that country’s traditions and cultural differences. Is tipping expected, and if so, how much? How do people greet each other? But if you don’t know what to expect, you could also inadvertently offend or upset someone with a rude word or gesture, or embarrass yourself. To avoid these pitfalls, here are some of the most prevalent cultural differences that visitors may encounter in Chile. Tipping - (in restaurants and elsewhere): In Chile, tipping is expected in bars, restaurants, cafes, etc. A 10% tip is the norm for good service, and the recommended amount is usually listed at the end of the bill, but is not automatically included. To pay with the tip, tell the waiter “con la propina” (with the tip) when closing out. Cab drivers do not have to be tipped, although gas station and parking attendants usually expect a small tip of 100-200 pesos. Personal space - Chileans have a very relaxed sense of personal space, and are very comfortable with hugs, kisses on cheeks, being physically close with each other, and public displays of affection. This may surprise some visitors from different cultures where personal boundaries are automatically respected (especially the public displays of affection). Lateness - Chileans aren’t sticklers when it comes to punctuality, so always allow a little more time than you think you need to get places (10-15 minutes is usually enough). Greetings/Goodbyes -The typical style of greeting in Chile consists of a quick peck or small kiss on the cheek. This is especially common amongst women greeting other women, and men greeting women. Men usually shake hands for greeting and saying goodbye. Hugs and handshakes are also common. Metro etiquette - When riding the metro, especially at rush hour when the cars can get pretty crowded, it can feel a little invasive of personal space and you don’t want to step on any toes - literally and figuratively. This is especially if you’re jammed into the middle of the car far from the doors and your stop is coming up. When the cars are packed and you’re at your stop, rather than elbowing past someone, first politely ask them “bajas?” This is shorthand for “are you getting off here?” If they answer no, then you can squeeze around them. Follow Us & Check out our latest stories www.cascada.travel Be wary of pickpockets - Although Chile is one of the safest countries in South America, pickpockets are still an issue in cities like Santiago. The best ways to avoid becoming a target are: • Wear clothes that don’t make you stand out as a tourist • Don’t draw too much attention to yourself, e.g. by speaking English loudly • Invest in pickpocket-proof travel gear like shirts, jackets, jeans, and bags with hidden pockets • Keep your valuables such as passports, expensive cameras, and your wallets on/near the front of your body in pockets or bags • If carrying a bag with a strap, sling it across your body so someone can’t grab it off your shoulder and run off • When sitting at a cafe or on an outdoor bench, keep your personal items in your lap or looped around the chair leg Street dogs - Street dogs are a regularity around Chile, but don’t worry! The dogs are almost always well-behaved and are rarely aggressive. This is because most Chileans treat the dogs kindly and with respect, giving them food, water, street shelters, and even giving them blankets and warm jackets in winters. Many street dogs will live in certain areas or barrios for years, cared for by residents without being fully adopted. The dogs are also usually clean, but still, never hurts to use a dash of Purell if you feel the need to pet one. What’s with all the carbonated water? - Chileans have a fondness for carbonated water, so when dining out or buying a bottle of water, you’ll be asked or presented with two options: agua “con gas” (carbonated) or “sin gas” (not carbonated/regular water). Chilean Cultural Traditions La Once (Tea Time) - This nightly tradition is one of the most endearing and charming aspects of Chilean family life. Most Chileans eat the biggest meal of the day for lunch around 2:00 pm, so later at night around dinnertime, families gather to drink tea or coffee, and eat sandwiches, bread with butter, or bread with avocado. This gathering is known as “once” or tea time, which literally translates to “eleven.” Bread is a prominent part of “once” and other Chilean meals, so many people go on almost daily runs to their neighborhood “panaderia” (bakery) to pick up fresh loafs. Asado - Chileans are huge fans of red meat, and barbecues are a regular occurrence for events like family gatherings, festivals and holidays, and special occasions like birthdays. Regular dishes include grilled chicken, cuttings of beef or pork, and sausages and hotdogs (like choripan, a savory chorizo sausage served in a toasted marraqueta loaf). The further south you go, asado takes on a different connotation and becomes a traditional Patagonian lamb barbecue. Patagonian asados are throwbacks to the heyday of Patagonian cowboys (known as baqueanos in Chile and gauchos in Argentina) and sheep farming in the south.