CultureShock! Chile

Laura Roraff Susan Camacho

Description

CultureShock! Chile is your one-stop guide to settling in the country and adapting to life in a new land. Learn from the authors' experience as they share insights into the Chilean work etiquette, navigating the class system, setting up home and using the estufa and califont as well as what generally makes the people tick in this South American nation. Discover the country's myriad attractions from the Atacama Desert to beautiful La Serena. Sample Chilean fare such as prietas and cazuelas and wash it all down with a glass of red wine from one of the many excellent vineyards. Having overcome its turbulent political history, Chile now struggles to balance its traditional values with the demands of a modern economy. CultureShock! Chile is essential reading for anyone who plans to be in Chile for an extended period.

Sujets

• Chile
• Chili

Informations

• Publié par: MarshallCavendishM
• Date de parution: 12 février 2011
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9789814435307
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 8 Mo

Extrait

This 5th edition published in 2011 by:
Marshall Cavendish Corporation
99 White Plains Road
Tarrytown, NY 10591-9001
www.marshallcavendish.us
First published in 1998 by Times Editions Pte Ltd, reprinted 1999; 2nd edition published in 2000 by Times Media Pte Ltd; 3rd edition published in 2001, reprinted 2002, 2003; 4th edition published by Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited in 2007.
Copyright 2007, 2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Request for permission should be addressed to the Publisher, Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited, 1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196. Tel: [phone], fax: [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail]
The publisher makes no representation or warranties with respect to the contents of this book, and specifically disclaims any implied warranties or merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose, and shall in no event be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
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Marshall Cavendish is a trademark of Times Publishing Limited
eISBN: 978 981 4435 30 7
Please contact the publisher for the Library of Congress catalog number
Printed in Singapore by Times Printers Pte Ltd
Photo Credits:
All black and white photos by the authors. All colour photos from Photolibrary except page a ( Inmagine.com ). Cover photo: Photolibrary
All illustrations by TRIGG
ABOUT THE SERIES
Culture shock is a state of disorientation that can come over anyone who has been thrust into unknown surroundings, away from one s comfort zone. CultureShock! is a series of trusted and reputed guides which has, for decades, been helping expatriates and long-term visitors to cushion the impact of culture shock whenever they move to a new country.
Written by people who have lived in the country and experienced culture shock themselves, the authors share all the information necessary for anyone to cope with these feelings of disorientation more effectively. The guides are written in a style that is easy to read and covers a range of topics that will arm readers with enough advice, hints and tips to make their lives as normal as possible again.
Each book is structured in the same manner. It begins with the first impressions that visitors will have of that city or country. To understand a culture, one must first understand the people-where they came from, who they are, the values and traditions they live by, as well as their customs and etiquette. This is covered in the first half of the book.
Then on with the practical aspects-how to settle in with the greatest of ease. Authors walk readers through topics such as how to find accommodation, get the utilities and telecommunications up and running, enrol the children in school and keep in the pink of health. But that s not all. Once the essentials are out of the way, venture out and try the food, enjoy more of the culture and travel to other areas. Then be immersed in the language of the country before discovering more about the business side of things.
To round off, snippets of basic information are offered before readers are tested on customs and etiquette of the country. Useful words and phrases, a comprehensive resource guide and list of books for further research are also included for easy reference.
CONTENTS
Preface
Acknowledgements
Map of Chile
Chapter 1
First Impressions
What Will You Find?
Santiago
Vina del Mar and Valparaiso
The North
The South
Chapter 2
Overview of Land and History
The Land
History
Chapter 3
The Chilean People
A Homogeneous Society
Ethnicity
Class Structure
Values
Religious Beliefs and Values
The Role of Women in Chilean Society
Raising Children
Family Gatherings
Myths and Facts
Chapter 4
Socialising
Making a Connection
Visiting a Chilean Home
Inviting Chileans to Your Home
Invitations to Dine Out
Nightlife
Pololos
Alternative Lifestyles
Rituals
Chapter 5
Settling In
Welcome to Santiago
Climate
Time Zone
Pollution
Litter
Earthquakes
Household Issues
Medical Services
Documentation
Banking
Emergencies
Driving
Transportation
Education
Shopping
Staying Informed and Entertained
Chapter 6
Food
Schedule
Main Courses
Beverages
Restaurants
Grocery Stores
Chapter 7
Enjoying the Culture
Chilean Culture
Native Peoples of the North
Fiestas Patrias
Huaso Culture
Navy Day
Catholic Festivals
Music Festivals
Contemporary Music
Fine Art
Literature
Travel
Sports
Children s Games
Chapter 8
Language
Pronunciation
Vocabulary
Other Language Considerations
Chapter 9
Doing Business
The Economy
A Brief History
Regional Trade Arrangements
Exports
Foreign Investment
General Business Climate
Other Work Matters
Chapter 10
Fact Facts
Notable Names
Places of Interest
Acronyms
Culture Quiz
Do s and don ts
Glossary
Resource Guide
Further Reading
About the Authors
Index
PREFACE
So you re a foreigner living in Chile. Congratulations on selecting (or having had the luck to be sent to) one of the preferred destinations in all of South America. While every country has its charm, the great majority of our Latin American, North American and European friends would move to Chile in a heartbeat given the opportunity.
Nevertheless, we are sure that at times living in Chile will be difficult-no one ever said expatriate life was a bed of roses. Living abroad strips away many of the things that before had helped to define ourselves-our language, family, friends and culture. We are left standing naked in a strange land and must fight to determine the boundaries of our very being. Yet there are strategies for survival. Experts say that those with an interest in the host country adjust better. So take up a hobby! Study Chilean wines, learn how to ski in the Andes, visit the volcanoes, national parks and beaches up and down the length of the country, learn Spanish well enough to read Chile s two Nobel Prize winners or volunteer to work with the needy, anything to convince yourself that Chile is the best place to be at this moment.
It is of the utmost importance that you find a social support network. Socialising with those living within your home does not count. Work or study has been found to be very comforting to those living abroad, as the rhythmic schedule and socialisation buffer cultural stress. If you do not work outside the home, making friends is a matter of life or death. You can contact your embassy to find out about clubs and associations involving expatriates from your own country, or at least your language group. Experts say it is best not to become too involved in your fellow citizen s activities, but that s easy for them to say! The circumstances are a better guide in our opinion. If you have transferred with your whole family and only plan on staying in Chile for less than a year, then the comfort of expatriate friends is more than reasonable. Fellow expatriates tend to form intense friendships very quickly, as they need the mutual social support. But if your stay will be longer, make the effort to become a part of Chilean culture. We ve met people in denial. They speak only English (even after 10 years abroad) and their friends are limited to other expatriates. They dream of returning to their home country instead of enjoying where they are. This is not a healthy situation and causes them to miss out on the delights of their host country.
Spanish is an absolute must for anyone on more than a vacation. Integration into your host society may seem at first like the death of your old identity, but in the long run you can become an extraordinary person who is a full member of the society in which you live. Actually, most people we know who have lived in Chile eventually learned to speak passable Spanish, worked or studied, had many Chilean friends and generally integrated into Chilean society without too much difficulty. It is possible to go deep into Chilean culture and associate primarily with Chileans.
Do not think that the person who passes through customs on his or her way home someday will be the same person who arrived in Chile. People evolve, and Chile will affect you in many ways. It is typical for friends and relatives back home to see the same person that they knew before, but in reality, after a time you may start seeing even your homeland through Chilean eyes. A friend became more conscious of class structure during her stay in Chile. Upon returning home, she was distressed to realise that in the United States, Everyone s cuico! (upper class).
In this day and age, it is not uncommon to live for extended periods abroad, but that does not mean that it is uncomplicated. Most people put up a brave fa ade, but privately many things about their new environment are unexplainable (or so it seems), unreasonable or just plain stupid. It is easy for foreigners to commit a faux pas without knowing the reason for their blunder. It is our goal to explain how and why Chile is the way it is, with the ultimate objective of making your stay in Chile, w