Country Overview: Chile/República de Chile Meetings and obligations and options clearly Gift Giving stated Location: Southern South America, Negotiations -Gifts are not expected within the bordering the South Pacific Ocean, -Punctuality is generally respected -Meetings usually remain serious Chilean business culture. between Argentina and Peru and intensely focused. and expected in business. However, -When you have established a Size: 756,102 sq km be prepared for Chileans to be thirty Business Attire friendly relationship, are gifts minutes late. exchanged. Population: 17,216,945 (July -Chilean’s view dress as a sign of 2013 est.) -When addressing your Chilean respect and prominence, thus -Open gifts immediately in front of business partner, use ‘business casual’ attire (khakis, the giver. Capital: Santiago “Mr.” [‘Señor”] or “Miss./ sports coat, casual shoes) will not -Select good quality gifts, but do Mrs.” [“Señora”] with their do. Avoid bright or gaudy clothing Export-commodities: copper, fruit, not give anything that is so surname following. and jewelry. fish products, paper and pulp, expensive as to be mistaken for a chemicals, wine -When greeting, shake hands -Men commonly wear dark colored bribe. firmly and then exchange suits in business settings. Import-commodities: petroleum and business cards. Take a moment to -Be sure to include a card. -Women dress simply in dark blue petroleum products, chemicals, admire the others’ business card Appropriate Gifts: electrical and telecommunications and place it in a card case (not your or grey business suits with low -Leather business items, pens, equipment, industrial machinery, pocket). heeled shoes. cigarette lighters, and fine whiskey. vehicles, natural gas -Carry multiple business cards Behavior -Books, something specific to your because they will be exchanged -Slapping your left palm with your Currency: Chilean Peso (CLP) own culture/region often. Expect Spanish on one side right hand in a fist is considered Religion: Roman Catholic 70%, and English on the other. Include obscene. Gifts to Avoid: Evangelical 15.1%, Jehovah’s your title and degrees you may have received from a university. -An open palm with the fingers -Avoid giving yellow roses, as they Witness 1.1%, other 4.6%, none separated is a gesture for ‘stupid.’ are considered a sign of contempt. 8.3% -Chilean business culture has a Purple or black flowers symbolize -Establishing a rapport and definite hierarchical order and you death. Government Type: republic will be expected to defer to the friendship is very important for most senior person present. business negotiations. Also, honesty -Do not use black or purple Chief of State and Head of and integrity are highly regarded wrapping paper. These colors are Government: President Sebastian -Present a well-organized plan with traits. only used during the Holy Week of PINERA Echenique (since March terms clearly defined and financial Easter, or Semana Santa. 2010)
Language: Spanish (official), Business Tips continued Mapudungun, German, English Conversation conversation do not take offense; Topics to Discuss: this shows their interest on the -Chilean history, the geography of Chile is the 46th largest economy in -The majority of Chileans speak topic. Chile, Easter Island sports (soccer, the world. Spanish and English in the polo, skiing, fishing), travel, culture, business environment. -Stay at a top-notch hotel; you will be judged by your wine -Avoid criticizing others in accommodations. Topics to Avoid: public. -Show interest in and talk about -religion, criticizing any aspect of -It is wise to show empathy for family, especially children. Chile, ethnic and social classes, others who are less fortunate. politics, wars, the Araucanian -Businesslike behavior with a bit of Indians, human rights. -If you are interrupted during humor is appreciated.
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