Current Time in Arica
Culture of time in Chile
Culture of time in Chile
Being late for appointments is common
In Chile, it is often mocked as "Latin American time", and it is common for people to be late for appointments by a few minutes to 30 minutes. It is rare to arrive on time, especially at private gatherings.
Lunch and dinner are late
It is common to have lunch around 13:00-14:00 and dinner after 20:00. Restaurants also get really busy after 20:00 for dinner, so it is quite different from the Japanese sense.
Meeting start times are flexible
Even in business situations, delays of a few minutes to 10 minutes are often tolerated, and it is difficult to say that meetings are strictly scheduled to start on time.
Chilean values regarding time
Time sense that emphasizes human relationships
In Chile, connections with people are more important than efficiency, so there is a culture that values relationships over time. Conversation and building trust with others tend to take priority over punctuality.
Understanding of flexible working styles
They are tolerant of time, and it is not uncommon for people to take time for personal matters during work. Lunch breaks are also sometimes long, and the overall flow of time feels relaxed.
Tendency to value time with family
Interaction with family is especially important after dinner, so you need to be careful about phone calls or visits at night. Interrupting family time is not preferred.
Things foreigners should know about time when traveling or moving to Chile
Bus and public transportation timetables are only a guideline
Long-distance buses and other public transportation run relatively on time, but local buses and minibuses, even if they have timetables, are not accurate, so it is basic to act with waiting times in mind.
It is effective to double-check appointments and reservations
Reservations at the beauty salon, hospital, and home repairs do not always go smoothly on time. Advance reminders and confirmation on the day are useful for avoiding trouble.
It is necessary to act according to meal times
The business hours of restaurants and cafes are also different from those in Japan and the West, so you need to be creative in timing your meals. In particular, some stores have an afternoon break (siesta), so be careful.
Interesting trivia about time in Chile
Daylight saving time has been introduced and abolished many times in Chile, and the policy can change depending on the administration. Therefore, it is necessary to check the local time frequently.
The word "mañana" is used frequently
Mañana, which means "tomorrow" in Spanish, is also used with the implication of "I can't do it now, but I'll do it someday," and is a familiar word that symbolizes the ambiguity unique to Latin America regarding time.
School starts early in the morning and often ends in the early afternoon
In Chile, elementary, middle and high schools, classes often start between 7:30 and 8:00 and students leave school between 2:00 and 3:00 in the afternoon, so the daily schedule is very different from Japan. A lifestyle that matches this has become established.