Why so sulky?

I am sure people were deadserious while talking to me as they are friends/relatives of my boyfriend who had to leave Chile as his family was taken in prison for no reason.
In Santiango I didn't really experience unfriendly people, to tell the truth, just your average big city attitude.

I am glad that # 8 and 9 tell me to be over the situation, but , Panchonomade and Robriofrio, tell me why there were riots when Pinochet died??
Yes, people in the field DO wave back in my country and other countries that I visited, why would't you when somebody is friendly to you??

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<hr>I am Chilean and I must recognize (sadly) the Santiaguinos tend to be rude, not the case of patagonians or rural settlers <hr></blockquote>

That is the way they are... happens everywhere... even in southamerica ;o)

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<hr> I discussed this experience with Chileans and they explained me it has to do a lot with the Chilean history: during the junta people couldn't trust each other and the fear is stilll there, so people don;t trust each other and especially strangers<hr></blockquote>

If that were the case then southamericans in general wouldn´t trust anybody...just check our history.

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<hr>Furthermore there are more historic facts that form the base for distant contact in certain parts of the country, such as the south: the original population of Chile were maltreated by rulers from the western world, so the distant behaviour has remained. <hr></blockquote>

The entire continent had been maltreated by rulers from western world. Specially the slaves, would you imagine our black people being unfriendly? they have the most festive spirit, they walk like they were almost dancing and smiling.

The way chileans are has to do of course with their history but also with other aspects in their lifes: their own culture, influences from abroad (England/Germany), geographical situation, identity, etc etc

To esnupi in 10.
Why the riots??....because Pinochet generates hate and love (foreigners think everyone hate him)....so many people was happy, and many was sad when he died.
You said: "I am sure people were deadserious while talking to me as they are friends/relatives of my boyfriend who had to leave Chile as his family was taken in prison for no reason"
Thats fine, but that is only one side of the history (sadly the only side foreigners know).......but I don't feel like going deeper in chilean politics and history right now.

Panchonomade, maybe it is better to have no deep political discussion on this forum: but I am still interested in learning more about Chile, its people and their history!
Some other time, in another setting maybe, or in my next visit! :-)

I do have a warm feeling of Chileans: like the time a family offered us lamameat as they where preparing it on the bbq, or the time 2 girls that were doing a study of flamengos, offered me to rest on their bed as I suffered from the altitude. I have had amazingly great experiences in Chile, I love it!

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<hr>??....because Pinochet generates hate and love (foreigners think everyone hate him)....so many people was happy, and many was sad when he died.<hr></blockquote>

Yes, that is what happens right now with Fujimori in Peru, (31,2% would vote for him right now). Welcome to southamerica or may I say: to our magic, magical and marvellous realism. :o)

@halbearbear I cant speak much of the rest of the country, but here in Patagonia I rarely ever had the problems you described. Chileans are more reserved than Argentineans - but this isnt necessarily a bad thing (al contrario!). Chilean Patagonia has its own sort of people, they are amiable and helpful. I hope I can give back ....one day.

I guess the OP had a strong case of ´culture shock´ , and I have to add that unlike Peruvians and Bolivians most Chilean people outside the tourist business care little or none of friendly foreigners visiting our country. (not me, I do like blonde blue eyes female foreigners visiting this beautiful country!!:)

Perhaps the OP went to CHile with false expectatives? Such as finding friendly native villagers seeing a foreigner for the first time ever? I think that may be the case, besides the fact that the OP doesnt speak spanish which is a huge disadvantage of travelling in South America. (at least Argentina, Bolivia,Peru, CHile, etc)

The OP have to really be naive to think that everyone would reply back to him when he greeted ´buenos dias or Hola´to everyone, I mean seriously, What would happen if you say Hi to everyone in New York city or any big city for that matter?? And that had nothing to do with Pinocho or the military tales that others posters had suggested... It´s just common sense , unless you are in a really tiny village in the middle of nowhere then I could expect to say Hi to some people....

But given time most people in Chile are really friendly if you speak some spanish and dont put everyone in the same bag for 1 lousy experience.

I say dont make a big deal out nothing and enjoy the Chilean Way of Life....¨

(and to the hotel experience, there are morons everyone , including some working at the front desk of fancy hotels too ! lol)

To Trotamundo 2,

Please take the time to read the post properly before responding.

It is presumptous of you to say that we were suffering from culture shock.... we have travelled most of Asia and Europe by ourselves in completely different cultures for many years and nothing compares to the experience we had in Santiago or San Pedro de Atacama.

And no ,we don't just go round greeting everyone with "buenos dias" - as I said in my post it was in situations where we were purchasing tickets or food. When I was in New York I would do the same, and people don't look at me like I'm an alien.

I don't think not speaking Spanish is a huge disadvantage in Peru or Bolivia - as I said, I do speak basic Spanish and in Peru and Bolivia I was able to get some basic conversation going, with some gesturing etc.

And no we didn't expect to find native villagers seeing a foreigner for the first time ever - how did you even come to that conclusion after reading my post?

And no, this was not just one lousy incident... there were some others but I don't think it's particularly helpful to write them all out.

At the end of the day, as I said in my post, I am just curious as to whether it was something other travellers experienced or we were just unlucky in the people we met. To that end most people that have responded to this have been very helpful in sharing their experiences.

Interesting observation by the OP because I noticed the same. I travelled that part of SA twice and visitied Chile twice.
Whether it´s Argerntinians, Peruvian or Bolivians they usually smile, while the Chileans seem to be more reserved, and just look at you without a smile.