Sociedad Chilena

So I've been living here in Chile for almost two months now...I figured I should provide a list of things that Chilean society has taught me so far... =)

1) Chileans do not speak spanish. They speak Chilean, chilenismo that only superficially resembles the spanish I learned in school.

2) Flushing toilet paper down the toilet is a sin! That belongs in the bin next to the toilet.

3) Also, it's a good idea to bring along extra napkins when you go out. The bathrooms you don't have to pay for to use, generally don't have toilet paper.

4) People only drink water if they are trying to loose weight. No matter how thirsty or dehydrated you are, coca cola or juice is always better for you than water. Also, be sure to grab the red bottle of water, sin gas...w/o gas. Chileans like their mineral water carbonated. Can I jus get some water?!

5) Don't take a shower without lighting the calefone...the only heat source in the house. Two turns of the knob, spark the match and your good for a ~7minute shower.

6) Nescafe is a perfectly good substitute for real coffe. This is something I don't understand, South America is a huge producer of coffee; why isn't real coffee more popular than a scoop of powerdered instant?

7) Wine is a good with almost anything, a good mixer. I've had it with banana, onion, coca cola...

8) Chileans do Mayonaise like Americans do Ketchup..on salad, any kind of starch or meat...you want mayo on that? no gracias! actually my Chilean dad makes some pretty good all natural mayo (oil, eggs, flour)

9) Mullets are hot! Never have I seen so many different kinds. I guess it's the punk look. Not gonna lie, its growing on me =)

10) Women in bikinis is an effective way of advertising just about anything, or even for your morning co-host. But for everyday people, showing alot of skin will get some glares.

11) PDA. Everyone does it. Generally couples never hang out at the house, if so, in the family room with the family, so public is their privacy. Latin love is no joke. ssoo Romantico!

11) Spicy food is generally not a desirable characteristic in cuisine. They like it either really salty or really sweet.

12) Graffiti art is culture

13) Eat with both hands on the table.

14) Don't pet the street dogs, guaranteed they have fleas.

15) Not wearing shoes or house slippers in the house is dirty.

16) Never walk alone at night, people will look at you funny, especially if your a girl...people will go way out of their way to make sure you at least get to a taxi.

17) Generally, los chilenos are super friendly, even to those who scream gringo. If you look lost, they'll come up to you and ask if you need help.

18) Going out for carretear any earlier than 12 is much too early.

19) It's normal to be physcally affectionate within the first hour you meet someone of the opposite sex. I know that an important part of living in another country is adapting to thier local customs, but this one takes some warming up to.

20) Cross-walk lights are only suggestions of when to cross.