Chile Forum

Cultural Interview Questions:


1) Identify the culture/and or country of origin for the interviewee. Include how you met the person. What is the format of your interview: face to face, telephone or email? Include any basic information that you may have like gender and approximate age. If he or she is no longer living in their country of birth, how long have they been away?

2) In Chile: how do people greet each other (shake hands, bow, embrace, other). Has the traditional form of greeting been impacted by globalization and if so, how?

3) How are children educated in Chile? Is there a difference in how males and females are educated or certain minorities? What do you think are the primary goals of education in Chile and how (if at all) has this changed in the last 50 years?

4) What is the literacy level (as a whole and by gender)?

5) What is the normal dress for men and women? Are there any special traditional items of clothing and when are they worn?

6) What is the type of government in Chile?

7) What are the major religions? What are the basic beliefs of these religions?

8 ) What are the important holidays? Are there special observances of these holidays? Do you feel the attention to these holidays has changed in any way due to the effects of globalization?

9) What are the types of communications technology available to most people in their daily lives (for example, TV, computers, cell phones, Internet…) How much of a difference is there between rural and urban areas in availability and use of technology?

10) Where and how do people get married? What is the average marriage age? Is it acceptable not to get married? What is the attitude towards divorce? What changes have occurred in the traditional family structure in Chile in your lifetime (or your parents and grandparents lifetime?)

11) What is the national language of Chile? Are other languages spoken and how many languages does the typical person know?

12) Who are the important national figures in Chile (past or present)? They may be in entertainment, art, religion, politics, science etc.

13) How do people spend their leisure time? How much influence has western culture (movies, clothing, consumer products, foods…) had on the lifestyle and values of most people?

14) Are there any traditions that a visitor from another country might find as strange?

15) If you had to give one piece of advice to a person visiting on business, what would it be?

16) How do you feel Chile or the surrounding region has been most impacted by globalization? This may include both negatives and/or positives.

17) What do you feel are the key challenges that face Chile right now?

18) What are the most important things (resources, people, knowledge…) you feel Chile has to offer to the global community?