Country guide
Chile Business etiquette and meeting customs
America/Santiago
What kind of meeting?
Strict punctuality
Arrive on time or a few minutes early — being late makes a poor impression.
Meeting Culture
Recommended duration45-60 min
Communication StylePolite, somewhat formal
Greeting StyleHandshake in business; cheek kiss socially
Daily Schedule
Work Hours09:00 – 18:00
Breakfast08:00 – 09:00
Lunch13:00 – 14:00
Dinner20:00 – 22:00
Sleep00:00 – 07:00
Tips for Meetings
For the kind of meeting you chose above.
Dress Code
Business formal
Tone
Formal, European-influenced
- ·Use formal titles until invited to use first names
- ·Chileans value structure and preparation in meetings
- ·Follow up with written summaries after discussions
General Tips
- ·More punctual than other South American countries
- ·Business culture influenced by European norms
- ·Formal titles are common in first meetings
- ·Late dinners are the norm — avoid scheduling over them
Cultural Notes
- ·Late dinner culture
Meeting someone from Chile?
Find the best timeCultural information is for general guidance only and may not reflect every individual's practices.
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