Good to know
Good to Know
- Chileans may seem reserved at first, but relationships can become warm once trust develops.
- Chileans dislike saying 'no,' particularly in business dealings, so watch for indirect refusals and ask clarifying questions.
- Always arrive late for social functions, being fifteen to thirty minutes late for dinner and parties, but remain on time for business meetings.
- Approximately 60 percent of Chileans identify as Roman Catholic, Protestant denominations represent roughly 17 percent, and a notable and growing segment around 20 percent identifies as unaffiliated or atheist.
- Chilean social norms emphasise politeness and respect and often use formal titles like 'señor' (Mr.) and 'señora' (Mrs.) until given permission to use first names.
- Chileans treat their guests with hospitality and generosity, and you are sure to be invited to someone's home or out to a restaurant for dinner.
Greetings
Formal or first meeting
- Description
- A firm handshake and direct eye contact is the norm for greetings, whether visiting someone's home or at a restaurant or other social gathering.
Friends and close acquaintances
- Description
- The 'abrazo' is the most common greeting among friends and family, consisting of a handshake and a hug, while among family and friends not so close, they will simply give a kiss on the right cheek. A single kiss on the right cheek is the norm for both men and women, and one should always wait for the other person to initiate the kiss, especially if a male is greeting a female.
Using titles and names
- Description
- Use titles and surnames until invited to be more informal, such as Señor or Señora with the surname, or professional titles where known; wait before using first names. Most Hispanics have two surnames: one from their father listed first, followed by one from their mother, but only the father's surname is used when addressing someone.
Greeting phrases
- Description
- Typical phrases that accompany greetings include 'Buenos días' (Good morning), 'Buenas tardes' (Good afternoon) and 'Buenas noches' (Good evening).
Gift Giving
When to give gifts
- Description
- Business gifts are not expected until a relationship is formed, and expensive, flashy gifts may cause awkwardness.
Appropriate gifts
- Description
- If invited to a Chilean's home, bring a gift of chocolate or wine to show your appreciation.
Gift opening
- Description
- Open a gift immediately after you receive it, and be sure to thank the person who gave it to you.
Flowers to avoid
- Description
- Don't give yellow, purple, or black flowers as a gift; yellow flowers indicate disrespect, while purple and black ones represent death.
Items to avoid
- Description
- Don't give scissors, knives, or any sort of cutting utensil, as this symbolizes 'cutting' off a friendship or relationship.
Punctuality
Business meetings
- Description
- It is expected that you will arrive on time if the person you are visiting is of a higher status or the visit is related to business. Punctuality is respected and expected in a business setting, however it is not uncommon for Chileans to arrive 30 minutes after the designated time.
Social gatherings
- Description
- It is not considered rude to arrive late to social gatherings, with most people arriving about half an hour after the designated time. If invited to someone's home, it's polite to arrive 10-15 minutes late, but not excessively so.
Business Culture
Relationship Building
- Description
- Chilean business culture is conservative, and you will have to spend time building relationships and trust. Chilean culture tends to be relationship-driven and becoming familiar and developing a personal relationship with your business partner is important before undertaking any significant business dealings.
Decision-making
- Description
- Don't expect any business decisions to be made right away, as Chilean business culture is conservative and requires time building relationships and trust.
Communication Style
- Description
- The Chilean communication style is often polite, indirect and people aware, especially around disagreement, criticism or sensitive topics; Chileans often avoid blunt communication when a message could cause embarrassment or tension, with meaning sitting in tone, hesitation, facial expression, context or what is left unsaid.
Meeting Dynamics
- Description
- It is common to interrupt people while they are speaking, but this is not seen as rude in Chilean business culture.
Hierarchy and Titles
- Description
- Business culture expects a strict hierarchy within companies and a strong emphasis on contacts.
Dining Etiquette
Timing and Meal Structure
- Description
- Chileans typically eat four times a day, with the largest meal being lunch. Chileans typically eat lunch between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM, and dinner much later, often starting around 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM.
Table Manners
- Description
- Both hands are kept above the table at nearly all times during a meal. In Chile, even foods that might typically be eaten with hands in other cultures are usually consumed with utensils; always observe what others are doing and follow suit.
Beginning the Meal
- Description
- Before a meal, the host will show guests their seats and people begin their meal once the host invites them to eat.
Post-meal Behavior
- Description
- Spending time together after a meal is common and leaving immediately after the meal is not customary.
Unique Chilean Meal
- Description
- The meal 'once' (which translates as 'eleven') is unique to Chile, a mix between the traditional Spanish 'merienda' (light afternoon snack) and English afternoon tea, usually taken between 4 pm and 8 pm.
Sensitive Topics
Politics and Human Rights
- Description
- Avoid raising controversial subjects such as Pinochet, politics and human rights issues unless they are introduced by your Chilean counterpart, as these topics are generally inappropriate for small talk and are highly emotional and divisive.
International Comparisons
- Description
- Avoid referring to the United States as 'America'; if you do so, specify it as 'North American' since all of South America is also technically American. Don't compare Chile to Argentina because there has been a great deal of conflict between the two countries.
Religion and Ethnic Discussion
- Description
- Avoid any discussion around ethnic and social classes or religion.
Good Conversation Topics
- Description
- Good conversation topics include families, children, Easter Island, Chilean history and wines.
Gestures To Avoid
Pointing and beckoning
- Description
- Point or beckon with your hand or even just your finger is considered very rude.
Fist to palm gesture
- Description
- Hit your left palm with your right fist is an offensive gesture in Chile.
Clicking fingers
- Description
- Never click your fingers to or at anyone.
Chin flick
- Description
- A chin flick means 'I couldn't care less' and educated people do not use this gesture.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this culture & etiquette research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.reachtoteachrecruiting.com
- 2.web.sut.ac.th
- 3.culturalatlas.sbs.com.au
- 4.commisceo-global.com
- 5.ediplomat.com
- 6.culturalatlas.sbs.com.au
- 7.talkpal.ai
- 8.travpa.com
- 9.mustseespots.com
- 10.medium.com
- 11.cyborlink.com
- 12.commisceo-global.com
- 13.bizlatinhub.com
- 14.culturalatlas.sbs.com.au
- 15.rivermate.com
- 16.culturalatlas.sbs.com.au
- 17.traveltaboo.com
- 18.gaylecotton.com
- 19.explore.com
- 20.santandertrade.com
- 21.clickup.com
- 22.anothertravel.com
More About Santiago
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.