Chile
Business people should wear formal clothes in dark colors for official functions, dinners, smart restaurants and hotels. Dress is usually stipulated on invitations. There is a tendency to formality with many Old World courtesies. Overall business practices in Chile are similar to those in North America and Europe. The business day usually begins at 9 a.m. and ends between 6 and 7 p.m. Lunch breaks usually begin at 1 p.m. and are an hour long, unless business is being conducted, in which case two to three-hour lunches are common.
Although social occasions rarely begin at the indicated time, business meetings nearly always do. Many Chilean business people are well-educated professionals who travel internationally and speak English. However, not all speak English, and foreign business people will often find the ability to speak Spanish or use of an interpreter very useful, if not an absolute must.
Visitors should be aware of the criminal environment in Santiago. Street crime, endemic to many South American cities, is a problem in the metropolitan area in general and specifically in downtown Santiago. Be particularly alert while walking in the downtown area, especially in the late afternoon and after dark, or on weekends, even in well-traveled areas. In Santiago and other large Chilean cities, thieves thrive on rush hour crowding on the street and aboard public transportation. Crime is also prevalent at crowded tourist locations, at metro (subway) stations, and on trains and buses. Police sources also report that robbery is on the rise in taxis. Persons wearing expensive-looking jewelry or carrying luggage or cameras are favorite targets for pickpockets and purse-snatchers. Bags and briefcases are stolen from chairs in restaurants and outdoor cafes. Outside Santiago, robberies and assaults have occurred most frequently in the Vina del Mar and Valparaiso area, which becomes increasingly crowded during the height of the Chilean summer season (December through February).
Chile offers excellent accommodation and several new luxury hotels have recently opened in Santiago elsewhere in the country. In all regions of Chile, whatever hotels lack in facilities is made up for by a comfortable homely atmosphere; Chile's famous hospitality is very apparent in provinces where it is common to see the owner or manager sit down to dinner with guests. The cost of accommodation in Santiago is rather higher than in the provinces. VAT of 18% is levied on all hotel bills, except those paid in foreign currencies by foreign visitors for whom an export bill is required.
Telephone: Full IDD available. Country code: 56. Outgoing international code: 00. CompañÌa de Teléfonos de Chile provides most services though there are a few independent companies. Cheap rate is applicable 1800-0500 Monday to Friday and all day Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. Fax: Telex Chile, Transradio Chilena and ITT Communicaciones provide services in main towns. Post office hours in Santiago: 0900-1800 Monday to Friday; 0900-1230 Saturday.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Three-pin plugs and screw-type bulbs are used.
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Three-pin plugs and screw-type bulbs are used.
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Santiago has many international restaurants; waiter service is usual. The evening will often include floor shows and dancing. National specialties:
• Empanada is a combination of meat, chicken or fish, with onions, eggs, raisins and olives inside a flour pastry.
• Humitas is a seasoned corn paste, wrapped in corn husks and boiled.
• Cazuela de ave is a soup with rice, vegetables, chicken and herbs.
• Bife a lo pobre is a steak with french fries, onions and eggs.
• Parrillada
is selection of meat grilled over hot coals, often including delicacies such as intestines, udders and blood sausages.
• Seafood is good. Best known are the huge lobsters from Juan Fernández Islands. Abalone, sea urchins, clams, prawns and giant choros (mussels) are also common. National drinks:
• Chile is famous for its wine.
• Pisco is a powerful liqueur distilled from grapes after wine pressing.
• Grapes are also used to make the sweet brown chicha as well as aguardiente, similar to brandy.
• Beer is drunk throughout the country. Tipping
: Restaurants and bars add 10 per cent to the bill. However, waiters will expect a 10 per cent cash tip in addition.Note
Dates for special events in Chile change frequently.Nightlife
While many restaurants and hotels offer entertainment, there are also a number of independent discos and nightclubs. Casinos: The Municipal Casino in Viña del Mar offers large gambling salons, full cabaret and boîte with Chile’s best dance bands. A casino operates in Gran Hotel in Puerto Varas between September and March. Arica also has a casino operating throughout the year with baccarat, roulette, black jack, a restaurant and late-night cabaret.
