The Chilean Style Hug

No, seriously. This is a thing: we have a special hug that’s quite unique.

It’s a three step process:

1. Firm handshake.
2. Hug, with the right arm over the other person’s left shoulder, and the left arm under the other person’s armpit.
3. Second handshake.

It is important to begin and end with a handshake. It is a very ritualistic thing.

Here you can see our president and our former president performing the proper technique for the second stage:

Ok, so maybe this is not THE most important aspect of Chilean etiquette. And it is a salute mostly used by men. But it is still a very typical and unique Chilean thing.

Etiquette and Customs in Chile

Meeting & Greeting

• Men will usually shake hands.
• Women generally pat each other on the right forearm or shoulder.
• These are always accompanied by the appropriate greeting for the time of day - buenos dias (good morning), buenas tardes (good afternoon) or buenas noches(good evening).
• Between friends and family things will relax and become more unreserved - men may embrace and energetically pat each other on the back whilst women will kiss once on the right cheek.
• Always let your Chilean counterpart progress to this stage of formality.
• Like many South Americans, Chileans use both their maternal and paternal surnames. The father's surname is listed first and is the one used in conversation.
• If you know of any titles always try to use them.
• If no title exists then simply use Senor (male) or Senora (female) followed by the surname.
• When addressing older people with whom you have a personal relationship, who may be referred to as don (male) or dona (female) with their first name.
• First names are used between close friends - wait until invited to move to a first name basis.

Gift Giving Etiquette

Some general etiquette guidelines include:

• If invited to a Chilean's home, take sweets/chocolates or wine for the hostess.
• Send flowers in advance.
• Do not give yellow roses as they indicate contempt.
• Do not give purple or black flowers as they symbolize death.
• Do not give scissors or knives as they indicate you want to sever the relationship.
• For a young girl's 15th birthday, a gift of gold jewellery is the norm.
• Gifts are opened when received.

Dining Etiquette

• Dining etiquette can be quite formal in Chile.
• As a general rule, observe and follow if ever unsure.
• Here are some basic dining etiquette guidelines:
• When sitting wait to be shown to your place.
• Women sit before men.
• The hostess invites people to eat.
• Keep your hands visible when eating. Keep your wrists resting on the edge of the table.
• Always use utensils to eat.
• Avoid speaking with eating utensils in your hands.
• It is considered polite to finish everything on your plate.
• Wait for a toast to be made before taking the first sip of your drink.
• The host makes the first toast.
• The most common toast is Salud!
• When you lift your glass, look at the person being toasted.
• Pour wine with the right hand only.
  
  The source is in this website:
  Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette