I’m beginning to notice quite a few differences between Chilean culture and that of the United States. I didn’t really notice when I first arrived here in March, but now the differences are becoming much more clear.  They are not gigantic constrasts that threaten to tear apart friendships or even countries or make life incredibly difficult for someone living in a different culture, just small insignificant (or seemingly insignificant) details that one might overlook.  Details that I tend to overlook a little more than I should!

It all started when I went to Calama with my host family for Easter.  Both Sussy and Francisco have their entire families in Calama.  Calama is about three hours north of Antofagasta and is also in the desert.  It’s a smaller city but is right next to the largest mine in the world:  Chuquicamata.  We were sitting eating lunch at Sussy’s parent’s house when I asked Michelle if she wanted more juice saying “Michelle, ¿quieres más jugo?”  Sussy got really excited and told me that was the first time she had ever heard me say Michelle’s name to her.  I just blinked and then Sussy asked me why I don’t use names very often.  I thought about it for a second…and came up with nothing.  I don’t know if it is just me, but I don’t often use people’s names.  I’ll use someone’s name once in a day, maybe.  In the United States, I have never had a problem with this.  I asked Sussy later and she said that not using people’s names when addressing them is a sign that you are not well-educated.  Needless to say, I’ve been trying to use names more than I have been!

Another difference that I’ve found is the difference in the definition of the word “clean.”  The word in Chile is not “limpio” like the dictionary says, it’s “ordenado” or organized.  Very different concepts!  Before this past weekend, I would have considered my room a clean room (nothing on the floor, clothes put away, things neatly stacked on desks and tables).  Not anymore!  The first time that I have seen anything close to Sussy being frustrated with me was when she asked me to clean my room and I had no idea what I needed to do to it.  In my eyes, it was clean.  Nope…I had to sweep it, make my bed like it is in a hotel, put everything on my desk and tables away, and wipe all of the windows.  I didn’t mind, I just thought that it was hysterical that I didn’t know what to do with my room when she said to clean it!  So I showed her a picture of my sister Laura’s room…I think she had a heart attack!

Here’s some other little differences that I have found thoughout my time here:

1. Very little homework in classes
2. No textbooks in classes either
3. Families come home for lunch and if you can’t do that, you pack a hot lunch like soup, meat, or potatoes…not buy one, bring one!
4. Students in colegio (grade school) are generally more ahead than the students in the United States…for example, Michelle is studying the level of chemistry that I studied senior year of high school and she’s 12!
5. Most families stay together even after the kids are out of the house either in the same town, region, or house
6. Fruit is dessert and it is better here
7. Food in general is better here

Those are just some of the ones I could think of off the top of my head.  These differences aren’t very big, but they are very interesting to talk about with the people who live here.  They are always eager to hear about the United States and what I think about life here.  So far the answer is that I love life here and it continues to get better and better.

On a side note, I have decided that I have about the same capacity for Spanish that I do English in this sense:  I can handle one-on-one conversations with people in both languages.  I can’t handle large conversations with more than three people in both languages. When I’m with English speakers in a large group, I usually don’t talk and it’s the same in Spanish!  Therefore, I have the same capacity in both languages!