Travel Etiquette
Chile
Currency
Chilean Peso
Official Language
Spanish
Dress
Conservative business dress is appropriate
for Chile, and be sure to avoid bright
colors or flashy jewelry.
Meetings
It is important to begin and end meetings
on time and schedule well in advance.
Gifts
Gifts are not expected in business unless
the relationship is close and pre-existing.
Hand Gestures and Body Language
Chileans will stand close to you when in
conversation and maintaining eye contact
shows trust and interest.
Slapping your right fist into your left open
palm is considered obscene. An open palm
with fingers separated means ‘stupid’.
Do not serve wine with your left hand and
make sure you keep you hands on the
table when dining.
Formalities
Chileans do not bargain in the stores or
street markets and it’s illegal to sell
something and not issue a receipt.
Use a person’s professional title if
addressing them such as: Doctor,
Professor, Lawyer or Architect. Use titles
when addressing people - Señor (Mr.),
Señora (Mrs.) and Señorita (Miss) followed
by their surname.
