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CHIP - Chile Information Project: ORGANIZATIONS AND CULTURE
Overview
Find out how to become part of the Chilean community and the expatriate community in this section. There are places to get involve in volunteer and political organizations and tips on Chile's unique customs, manners and culture.
Political Organizations and Volunteer Opportunities:
Overview
The fact that more than three million Chileans live below the poverty level is reason enough to consider volunteering while you are in Santiago. Volunteering is also an excellent learning experience. Local volunteer organizations are happy to receive a helping hand. Many international organizations have a very active presence in Santiago.
Participating in the principal expatriate groups is a volunteer experience in itself. These groups often dedicate their activities and funds to helping local charities. See the Social Clubs for Foreigners and Ex-Patriots section for details.
Some international political organizations also have a large following in Chile. Greenpeace, for example, has a more conspicuous presence than it has in the United States. The local branch of Amnesty International is also very active in Chile. This organization participated with the Catholic Church in the campaign that led to the government’s recent death penalty ban.
Addresses
- Volunteer Opportunities Hot-line
(2) 205-5656
- Casi Nuevo Organization
Second hand clothes shop
Avenida Bilbao 2628
Providencia
(2) 204-0796
- Share N' Care
Volunteer and religious organization
Avenida Vitacura 5560, Dpto 62
Vitacura
(2) 243-2786
Contact: Audrey Manning
- Salvation Army
Avenida España 46
Santiago Centro
(2) 695-7005, (2) 698-5560
Metro Station República
- Un Techo Para Chile
Builds homes for families living in encampments
http://www.mediaguas2000.cl/
- Hogar de Cristo
www.hogardecristo.cl
- Amnesty International
Compañía 2085, 2nd Floor, Office B
Santiago Centro
(2) 695-6502
Fax: (2) 671-2619
Metro Station Santa Ana
www.amnesty-chile.org
- Ford Foundation
Ricardo Lyon 806
Providencia
(2) 232-5454
Fax: (2) 204-9385
Metro Station Pedro de Valdivia
www.fordfound.org
- Hostelling International
Hernando de Aguirre 201, Of. 602
Providencia
(2) 233-3230
Fax: (2) 233-255
Metro Station Tobalaba
www.hostelling.co.cl
- Greenpeace
www.greenpeace.cl
- Red Cross Chile
La Concepción 65, Of. 301
Providencia
(2) 777-1448
Fax: (2) 737-0270
Metro Station Pedro de Valdivia
www.cruzrojachilena.cl
Social Clubs for Foreigners and Expatriates:
Overview
Expatriate groups are a vital resource for newcomers in Santiago. These groups are not just your first step to becoming a part of Chile’s English-language community; they also help you build ties in the Chilean community. Since the members have all been newcomers in Santiago, expatriate groups gather information from personal experience to create orientation resources for new members.
There are four principal ex-patriot groups in Santiago: the American Association, the British International Group (BIG), the Canadian Association and the Professional Women’s Group. Though the American, British and Canadian organizations’ members are mostly expatriates from those country, membership is open to all expatriates. Some expatriates join all three groups. All four groups have monthly general meetings and plan regular events like luncheons, tours, dancing and children’s programs.
Addresses
- American Association
Open house every Thursday 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Arturo Ureta 1476
Las Condes
(2) 206-2285
www.aacstgo.cl
- British International Group (BIG)
Meets last Tu of month at Prince of Wales Social Club
(2) 207-1844
copejanet@yahoo.co.uk
Contact: Janet Cope, Membership
- Canadian Association
Meetings at 9:30a.m. on third Tuesday of the month at Hotel
Marriott
(2) 229-8273
www.geocities.com/CAChile
gwortman@entelchile.net
Contact: Ann Bonham, Membership Chairperson
- International Professional Women's Group (IPWA)
(2) 220-1413, (09) 333-1236
Contact: Miriam Amelyck
- Prince of Wales Country Club
Las Aranas 1901
La Reina
(2) 277-2025
tcooper@pwcc.cl
- British Commonwealth Society
Avenida Holanda 151
Providencia
(2) 232-5009
Metro Station Tobalaba
- Royal British Legion
San Pio X 2390, Of. 802
Providencia
(2) 232-8252, (2) 251-2779
Fax: (2) 232-8252
Metro Station Los Leones
pwhatmore@entelchile.net.
- Sociedad Anglo-Chilena
Avenida Americo Vespucio Sur 80, Of. 32
Las Condes
(2) 228-3951
Fax: (2) 228-7337
Metro Station Escuela Militar
jonathan.culland@culland.cl.
- British Council
Avenida Eliodoro Yañez 832
Providencia
(2) 236-1199, (2) 235-7375
Metro Station Salvador
info@britcoun.cl
- Santiago Stage
English theater performances
(2) 246-6975, (09) 229-4540
cejarob@hotmail.com
Churches and Religious Organizations:
Overview
- Santiago is far more culturally diverse than it may seem. In fact, you can find church services in most major religions and denominations. Where there is a large English speaking community, churches sometimes offer English services. Check with major hotels for English-language religious services.
- The major expatriate groups have regular bible study groups for members. See the Social Clubs for Foreigners and Expatriates section for more information.
- Addresses
Manners and Customs:
Overview
Thanks to a long history of immigration, Chilean manners have a largely European character. For example, the customary greeting between a man and a woman or between two women is a kiss on the cheek. When men greet each other they simply shake hands. For Chileans, the greeting is very important. Unless there are a large number of people present, it is generally inappropriate to greet someone by simply saying "hello." Take a few moments to greet people you have not met or you have not seen during the day.
Chilean men are more likely to follow rules of chivalry, although Chilean women may tell you this is changing. Men are expected to open doors for women and to give up their seat on the bus or Metro. On the bus or Metro, this is especially true for older women.
Chileans are known to have relaxed attitude towards punctuality. It is not considered inappropriate to arrive up to a half-an-hour late. If you arrive early, expect to wait.
Informal vs. Formal:
Overview
Anyone who has taken a Spanish class knows the difference between tú and Usted. Usted, the formal form of "you", is gradually phasing out of Chilean society. It is becoming increasingly common to refer to nearly everyone as tú, the informal form of "you." College students often refer to their professors using the tú form, as do children to their grandparents.
Speaking in the Usted form is still a perfect way to show respect. Use Usted when speaking to the elderly and in formal situations. Usted is also used between families and their domestic help.
Meals:
Overview
- Lunch (almuerzo) is the principal meal of the day. Since Chilean professionals work long hours, they commonly take the time to eat a leisurely lunch. Lunch usually consists of an appetizer (entrada), a salad (ensalada), an entre (plato de fondo), a dessert (postre) and a drink (bebida). These elements often come together as a special lunch deal called a colación or menú ejecutivo. Restaurants select a short list of options for the colación, but the price is always lower than choosing separate items from the menu. The colación may be available only during lunchtime, from about 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Chilean breakfast is fairly simple. It usually consists of a cup of coffee or tea with bread and butter. It often includes fruit or yogurt. Supermarkets offer many breakfast options, however, including most popular breakfast cereals.
- The evening meal is tea, called once. Once is another light meal, comprising of coffee or tea and bread with butter, ham or cheese.
Tipping and Bargaining:
Overview
In most restaurants and bars you should tip 10 percent. Small family restaurants rarely expect a tip (propina). Waiters and waitresses receive low wages, so tips are always appreciated.
There is no need to tip taxi drivers, but a small gratuity will not be turned away.
Tip supermarket bag boys as you see fit. They are not paid by the supermarket and earn only tips. Parking attendants will expect a tip.
You may negotiate prices in most open-air markets and craft fairs, but not all salesmen are willing to haggle. In the provinces, hotel prices are sometimes negotiable, especially during off-seasons. Smaller bus companies will lower prices if they think it will convince you to buy a ticket.
Treatment of Foreigners:
Overview
Chileans are hospitable towards foreigners. They are patient if you do not speak Spanish and are willing to help you learn if you show interest. They are excited to talk about your country and happy to introduce you to theirs. This, of course, is not always the case. There is some unhappy sentiment towards foreigners, especially towards Americans.
You should not always take offense if a Chilean calls you gringo. The term does not have the negative connotations that it has in other Latin American countries, where it is a derogatory term for Americans. In Chile, gringo is used to refer to any lighter skinned foreigner, not just Americans. A gringo could be any one from the United States, Canada and Europe.
Treatment of Women:
Overview
- A large number of Chilean men have a very chauvinistic attitude towards women, a phenomenon known as machismo. Women are subject to whistles and vulgar language. Men often shout sexually explicit comments (piropos) to women who they find attractive. Blonde women are especially subject to this treatment. Women often ignore piropos, since they would grow tired of reacting to every whistle.
- In crowded buses or streets, women may experience unwelcome physical contact. You will not be putting yourself in danger if you let the perpetrator know that you disapprove.
Treatment of Gays and Lesbians:
Overview
Though the topic of homosexuality is taboo in Chile’s Catholic society, Chile is becoming increasingly tolerant of gays and lesbians. Santiago’s gay community is becoming more public.
Men embracing each other or women holding hands will not draw any unwanted attention, but Chileans who are intolerant towards homosexuality may let you know if they see anything out of the ordinary. As a result, Chilean gays and lesbians do not tend to show their homosexuality in the streets.
- See the Gay Clubs and Bars section for information on Santiago’s gay scene.
Political and Social Organizations for Gays and Lesbians:
Overview
- As the gay and lesbian community becomes increasingly public, Chile’s homosexual rights movement builds momentum. There are a handful of organizations that represent the interests of the gay and lesbian community and work towards building greater tolerance. The principal gay rights groups came together in 1998 to form the Movimiento Unificado de Minorías Sexuales (Unified Movement of Sexual Minorities).
- Addresses
- Movimiento Unificado de Minorías Sexuales (Unified Movement of Sexual Minorities)
Viollier 87
Providencia
(2) 634-7557
Metro Station Parque Bustamonte
www.minorias.in.cl
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