Chile Forum

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Por lo que valga.. I don't believe that I am "ripped off" with higher prices for anything other than the hiring of carpenters. Even the gasfiters, chispas, aserradero guys, and mechanics seem to give me generally straight quotes and pricing (if characteristically erratic and very substandard Chilean service) but for some reason the carpenters tend to be the lowest imaginable sort of dishonest thieving scum in the pond-bottom.

patagoniax wrote:.
...but for some reason the carpenters tend to be the lowest imaginable sort of dishonest thieving scum in the pond-bottom.

just as a point of correction... scum floats on top of the pond!
what resides on pond-bottoms is actually...
anaerobic~bacterial~fecal~detritus --- aka sludge!

hence, by calling the carpenters "scum"...
you might place them in a higher position than deserved...
perhaps you need to invert your scale of thieving~dishonesty?

greg~judy wrote:

patagoniax wrote:.
...but for some reason the carpenters tend to be the lowest imaginable sort of dishonest thieving scum in the pond-bottom.

just as a point of correction... scum floats on top of the pond!
what resides on pond-bottoms is actually...
anaerobic~bacterial~fecal~detritus --- aka sludge!

hence, by calling the carpenters "scum"...
you might place them in a higher position than deserved...
perhaps you need to invert your scale of thieving~dishonesty?

We drained the swamp, and found the scum.... I mean, the carpenters.

patagoniax wrote:We drained the swamp, and found the scum.... I mean, the carpenters.

you drained the swamp...<gasp>!
were you qualified?
or did you need a plumber to operate the sump pumps?

please advise us...
where do plumbers reside on the hierarchy of maestro~thieving~dishonesty
(let alone competence?)

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depends where you are coming from so what is your point of reference.

I think jessicak1234's answer here could be used as an answer for many of the questions on this forum. The degree to which someone finds Chile expensive, cheap, safe, dangerous, beautiful, ugly, corrupt, etc all depends on your frame of reference, eg where you come from and what places you have traveled/lived in. Compared to New Zealand, where I grew up, I find Chile more dangerous. If I drop my (Chilean) partner at work, I have instructions to wind up all the windows, lock the doors and not stop for ANY REASON. He works in a dodgy part of town where the trick is to walk onto the street (especially with a baby), get the car to stop, then jump it with the rest of the gang. Gunshot wounds and stabbings arrive in the ER regulary (he's a ER Doc). But compared to Bolivia, where I lived for a year, I find it safer. All relative.

As others have stated, what's common here more than assault would be theft. Houses look more like prisons, with bars on windows and metal spikes on walls. Pickpockets and bag snatchers watch for opportunities. Here in the north, cars, especially 4WD, are stolen and driven to Bolivia. But also as others have stated, this is not a giant conspiracy against gringos. Chileans will rob other chileans blind if they see an opportunity and think they can get away with it.

Laserforsail wrote:Hello All!!

While it doesn't seem like the wild wild west, I'm just curious what I should be prepared for. Is it safe to go out at night? Drinking? Socializing or should I perfect my spanish before I venture out?

Laserforsail, As several have stated, it all depends on your frame of reference and the neighborhoods you're spending time in, as well as understanding current politics (understand when and where there will be protests and marches as well!) It's important no matter where you are in the world to look like you know where you are and where you're going (even when you're uncertain), otherwise you'll be a target. Santiago, for a big city, is pretty compact and even walkable, so when you arrive just walk around to learn your bearings and which neighborhoods you like and which you want to avoid. As long as you're smart about it, it's safe to go out at night, and you basically have to if you want to get dinner out since most restaurants don't open until 8pm or so.

Study Spanish in advance of arriving, but be prepared that Chilean Spanish is nowhere near the Spanish you would have studied in school or heard in the US (unless you have some Chilean friends!) Meeting other Americans in Santiago will not be a problem; there are tons of English-speaking expats in Santiago, and it's nearly impossible to walk though the Las Condes neighborhood without spotting a few. Many Chileans also understand basic English (even if they're too embarrassed to speak it) since they study it in school, and hand gestures and a willingness to pantomine when necessary and look a bit foolish when necessary also goes a long ways in getting by when your vocabulary fails. My two cents' worth is to learn Spanish the best you can before arriving, and then once you're here just go out and talk to people as this isn't France or Italy; if you mis-pronounce a word or don't understand what is being said in Chile people will still be courteous.

Do your research, lots and lots of it, and good luck!