What Travelers Should Know About Dining Etiquette In Chile

One of the most fascinating — and also challenging — things about travel is trying to figure out just how to navigate a new culture. Each country has its own unwritten set of rules, so it pays to do your homework before you go. While people in most places will give visitors at least a partial pass when it comes to knowing the ins and outs of local etiquette, being a considerate tourist will certainly help guarantee the goodwill of your hosts.  

This is especially true when it comes to food and drink, as each culture has different dos and don'ts. For example, in France, it's considered gauche to rush your meal, while refusing a cup of tea in Turkey is likely to offend. Never pour soy sauce onto white rice while dining in Japan, and unless you wish to be considered a barbarian, avoid adding cheese to any seafood dish in Italy.

While the countries of Latin America are known for their warm and laid-back atmosphere, you will also find that some strict rules govern just how to eat –– most notably in Chile. This long, narrow nation, known for its terrific wine and jaw-dropping natural beauty, has a few very specific things to keep in mind at mealtime, especially when it comes to what (and what not) to do with your hands.

In Chile, it is usually considered rude to touch food with your hands. While this is also a loose rule in the United States and other countries, there are definite exceptions. That's not necessarily so in Chile, where you'll see many locals eating pizza, spearing french fries, and even carving up sandwiches and burgers with a knife and fork. You should also keep your hands on the table at all times and do your best to finish all of the food on your plate. In addition, you also generally shouldn't start eating until your host invites you to.

Chilean meals are also fairly leisurely and filled with conversation in addition to the food, which also means you shouldn't get up and leave right after finishing. Refusing a drink can also be seen as bad form. During a toast, raise your glass, look at the person being toasted, and join in with the shout of "salud," which is Spanish for "cheers."

Meal times are also more aligned with how they are in European cultures. Lunch, often eaten between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., is usually the biggest meal of the day. Chile's version of dinner, which is called "once" (meaning "eleven"), is unique in Latin America. Usually eaten between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., this may feel like more of a snack than a meal to Americans, with choices such as bread, avocado, jam, and cold cuts washed down with plenty of tea and juice.

In addition to having their own rules about how to eat, Chileans enjoy a unique, must-try cuisine that combines both European and local traditions. Like many places in South America, empanadas are everywhere and can be had for around $1 in most places. These savory pastries are most often stuffed with spicy beef, chicken, mushrooms, and corn –– making them snacks when you're on the go. Soup is a common mealtime favorite in Chile, including a beef soup called ajiaco. In addition, Caldillo de Congrio, an eel soup made famous by poet Pablo Neruda, and cazuela, a hearty stew made from corn, potatoes, pumpkin, green beans, and various types of meats, both have Indigenous roots as well.

Given its 4,000 miles of coastline, it should come as no surprise that Chile is also an amazing place for seafood. Paila marina is a satisfying stew (that's also touted as a hangover cure) packed with shellfish and other goodies from the deep. Machas a la parmesana is an Italian-inspired dish of razor clams topped with — you guessed it — parmesan cheese. You can find the rich crab casserole called pastel de jaiba served up in Santiago and the country's southern regions, while locos con mayonesa features meaty Chilean abalone topped with creamy mayo that's whipped up with a bit of pisco, the national alcoholic spirit.