Chileđź•Ł
Country in the southwest of South America. Official name – the Republic of Chile. Population – 19.4 million (as of 2020). Capital – Santiago. Official language – Spanish. Government type – unitary presidential republic. Main religion – Catholicism.
Chile
Greeting
In Chile, people usually greet each other with a handshake, especially in business settings. It’s most common between people of the same gender. If you’re a man, it’s polite to wait for a woman to offer her hand first.
If you’re meeting with a group, it’s important to say hello to each person individually. Offering only a general greeting to the group may be perceived as impolite. Make sure to greet everyone at the table or in the room. Skipping individual greetings can seem rude.
Try to maintain eye contact when greeting someone—it shows respect and attentiveness.
In meetings, it’s good to pay a bit more attention to the person who’s either the most senior in the company or, if that’s not clear, the oldest person in the group.
First-time meetings might feel a bit formal, but follow-up meetings are usually warmer and more relaxed.
A traditional Chilean greeting among friends, family, and longtime business partners is called an abrazo. Men usually give a light hug while shaking hands and patting each other on the back or shoulder. Women often do the same but may also give light kisses on the cheek.
Common greetings in Chile include: “Buenos dĂas” (Good morning), “Buenas tardes” (Good afternoon), and “Buenas noches” (Good evening).
Introduction
In Chile, like in many other South American countries, people usually have two last names: the father’s last name comes first, followed by the mother’s. For example, Maria Silva Santiago is the daughter of Mr. Silva and Mrs. Santiago. The father’s surname—Silva, in this case—is considered the “main” or offici...
Exchange of Business Cards
Business cards are exchanged frequently in Chile, so it’s a good idea to bring plenty with you.
Your card should include all important details, such as your job title or position in the company, and any relevant qualifications or academic degrees.
Keep the design simple and professional. Flashy fonts, bright colors, or excessive logos and symbol...
Small Talk: Overview
Building trust and mutual understanding is a key part of communication in Chilean culture. This can take time, so be prepared to talk about more than just business.
Show some interest in your Chilean colleague’s family. It’s common to ask how their spouse or children are doing. Be ready for them to ask you similar questions about your own family—it’s se...
Preferred Topics
Travel: Chileans love to travel, both within their own country and to other parts of the world. They are happy to engage in conversations on this topic and are also glad to recommend interesting places in Chile to foreigners.
Family: In Chilean society, family is by no means a taboo topic. On the contrary, your conversation partner will gladly engage in...
Taboo Topics
Do not bring up topics related to the country’s indigenous population, ethnic groups, or national minorities.
Religion is traditionally considered a taboo topic in any society.
Avoid comparing Chile with other South American countries, particularly Bolivia and Peru, and especially Argentina (due to past border ...
Personal Space
The comfortable distance for communication is smaller than in some other cultures. During conversations, people here tend to stand quite close to each other. This is part of Chile’s warm and personal communication style.
Try not to take a step back during a conversation if you feel your conversation partner is standing too close (which might be consider...
Communication Specifics
At the beginning of your contacts with Chilean partners, it is important to follow proper protocol. Communication is generally reserved and formal. Use appropriate forms of address.
However, over time and as more friendly relationships develop, communication tends to become more emotional and warm. Try to be a sincere and genuinely interested conversati...
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