A few things you should know...

A few things you should know before...

Living with a Chilean family:
1. DON'T come downstairs without socks. It is cold. And even if you don't think it's cold, they will make you put on socks.
2. DON'T come downstairs with your hair wet. You will not be let out of the house. Because it is cold.
3. DO make sure they understand from the beginning if you don't eat a lot. Otherwise, they will give you twice as much food as anyone else and expect you to eat it all.

Riding the public transport:
1. DON'T be blonde.
2. DON'T speak English even with your English-speaking friends.
3. DO sit down quickly on the micro (bus) because the driver is not going to wait for you and you'll be on the floor two seconds after swiping your bip! card.
4. DON'T forget that there are certain hours when the green-light metro only stops at the green-light stops. You will have to go about 5 stops past your destination to get on a red-light metro.

Going to a Chilean house party:
1. DO make it clear that you want to practice your Spanish. Otherwise, someone is going to try to practice their English on you and chances are you'll have a much more successful conversation with your Spanish skills than with their English skills.
2. DO bring your own glass. Otherwise you will be drinking coke light out of a mug.
3. DO bring your own chair. Otherwise you will be sitting on the floor.
4. DO attempt to export some fun American words like "party foul." While Chileans have many fun chileanismos that you will never understand, there are a few choice phrases that their vocabulary is seriously lacking.

Talking with a Chilean:
1. DON'T ask how they feel about Pinochet. Chileans are widely divided on the issue and chances are they will ask your opinion and chances are you will not agree with theirs.
2. DON'T say you're in love with the movie Machuca. Even if, like me, you are. If they like Pinochet, they won't like you anymore.
3. DON'T say you think Bachelet is an awesome president. Even if, like me, you think she is. If they like Pinochet, they probably won't like you anymore.
4. DO show off your knowledge of chileanismos. They will be very entertained by your attempt be cool, and laugh when you accidentally tell them you have a really nice polera (t-shirt) at home instead of a really nice polola (girlfriend).