Chile

Exploring Chilean Culture

Chile is a friendly country and home to a stunning variety of natural wonders, from the towering Andes Mountains to the penguin colonies of Patagonia to the historic city of Santiago. In Chilean culture, Chileans tend to be proud of their country’s achievements. They come from a culture that celebrates customs like La Minga in the island of Chiloé, when friends and neighbors help move wooden houses or churches from one location to another, and then celebrate afterward with food and drink.

A passion for the arts, especially literature, is shared by many across Chile’s diverse ethnic groups. Chile’s most famous writer, Nobel Prize Winner Pablo Neruda, called it “the country made for poets.”

Study abroad in Chile Host a Chilean student in the U.S.

Family Dynamic in Chile

The Chilean family continues to be rather traditional in its values and customs. The father is generally the primary breadwinner of the family, and although many women work, their income is considered supplementary. Because fathers spend much of their time at work, the children are usually closer to, and less formal with, their mother. Chilean families are some of the smallest in Latin America, with most parents having one or two children. Chilean culture tends to be very family-focused, and children are taught to have a strong respect for their parents.

Chile is not the typical Latin machista society. Most men want their wives to work and are proud of their accomplishments. In fact, statistics show that women have made great strides in Chilean society. However, a closer look reveals that even though women are taking advantage of higher education opportunities, and are becoming professionals, there are many women who continue to assume traditional roles. There is a great deal of pressure for women to marry, to have children, and to continue the concept of “family.”

Young people are not encouraged to be as independent as in other cultures. They depend more on their parents for permission to go out, or to participate in after-school activities. Parents expect to be an authority over their children for a longer period of time than in other countries. Another aspect of family life that is important to note is that boys and girls are sometimes treated differently. Boys are generally given more freedom, while their sisters are more protected.

Teenage Life in Chile

Teenagers in Chile like to get together at friends’ houses, go to movies, gather in the town square, or drink maté in the local café. Many Chilean schools offer few social and sports activities, therefore young people usually meet in recreational centers or in friends’ homes for their social events. They often have parties on weekends in which they talk and dance until late at night.

Chilean teenagers are likely to follow the national soccer team closely, since futból is the country’s favorite sport. When La Roja (“the red one”) wins, often the entire town goes out into the streets to celebrate. Besides soccer, basketball, swimming, tennis, and cycling are also popular. Many teenagers like to watch TV as well, especially Mexican, Argentine, Brazilian, and Chilean soap operas.

Young people get to know each other in school and by going out in large groups. Two people who are dating are referred to as pololos. This word comes from the name of a bug that buzzes around people incessantly.

Holidays in Chile

Chileans are religious and patriotic. Of the 14 official holidays celebrated each year, half are religious. Religious holidays are observed privately and quietly, while secular holidays are celebrated with fanfare. The most important holidays are:

Año Nuevo: New Year’s Eve is a festive occasion. It takes place in the middle of the summer and is celebrated with asados (barbecues) and family gatherings. Fireworks traditionally light up the skies throughout the country at the stroke of midnight.

Semana Santa: Many Chileans attend church during Easter Holiday (Semana Santa), which culminates with Easter Sunday. Good Friday is an official holiday and offices are closed. Easter Sunday is the holiest day for Catholics and many Chileans spend the day in their homes with their families. Chileans of German descent traditionally celebrate the day with Easter egg hunts.

Día de Las Glorias Navales: May 21st is Navy Day (Glorias Navales), and is the second most important patriotic holiday. This day honors the heroism and courage of Arturo Prat, the Chilean Navy’s greatest hero.

Fiestas Patrias: The Fiestas Patrias are two days of celebration. September 18th is the National Day and September 19th is the Army Day (Glorias del Ejército). Many Chileans prepare asados during the day, and visit the fondas at night. Fondas are fairs set up all over the country with tents serving traditional food and drinks.

Navidad: Christmas is a much more relaxed holiday in Chile than in other parts of the world. Chileans adorn their homes with nativity scenes and Christmas trees, both real and artificial, a tradition brought to Chile by Germans. On Christmas day families gather for an asado or spend the day at the beach. It is traditional to serve pan de pascua (fruitcake) and cola de mono (liquor made with cinnamon, coffee, and milk).

Official Language

The official language of Chile is Spanish, and some people also speak English, German, or Mapudungun (the language of the Mapuche). In Chile, people do not refer to the language they speak as Español, but rather as Castellano. The two terms are equivalent. Castellano just happens to be the preferred term in South America.

Communication Style in Chile

Greetings are considered very important in Chile. When arriving at a social gathering it is customary to greet every person individually. Generally, Chileans are emotive speakers, but use an indirect form of communication. Chileans tend to avoid conflict and will often tell other people what they believe they want to hear to avoid confrontation.

Chileans tend to keep much less personal space and will often touch another person’s arm or back while speaking. Physical contact is perceived as a sign of friendliness and public displays of affection are accepted. In Chilean culture, maintaining eye contact demonstrates sincerity and genuine interest during conversation.

The Chilean Diet

While breakfast is usually very light (bread and jam with milk for the children, and café con leche or tea for the adults), lunch is the main meal of the day in Chilean culture. It can include meat (beef, lamb, pork, or chicken) or fish with rice, pasta, vegetables, soups, and salads. In the afternoon, enjoy an onces: tea or coffee with bread and butteror marmalade and pastry. Some families have a late dinner, which includes similar foods as lunch. A variety of fruits is available throughout the year.

Dinner is usually referred to as la comida, and not cena, as in other Spanish speaking countries. Dinner is usually one main dish that is interchangeable with what was served at lunch. Chilean people enjoy a leisurely period of “table talk” after each meal.