Everyday life

• The underground train system is easy-to-use, quick, reliable and extensive. The buses are a different story - when they reach a stop, they just slow down and you have to jump on quick. 
• In some ways Chile is just as developed as Australia, but in other ways it's more like a developing country. There's certainly not the smooth-running, efficient systems and bureaucracy we have in Australia. 
• You can't wear necklaces or dangly earrings in public and you have to sling your handbag across your body, or they will be stolen by thieves. 
• Men are both gentlemenly and charming/sleazy. They will make flattering comments as they pass you in the street. They aren't necessarily to be trusted.
• Chileans don't say "please" and "thank you" all the time, like Australians do.
• Whenever you meet a group of people, you greet and farewell each person with a (air) kiss on the cheek.
• 70% of uni students are the first person in their family to have attended university, so it's a great honour. Uni fees take up a massive proportion of a worker's income, so uni students are under a lot of pressure. 
• The education system is inequitable. You would only send your child to a state school if you couldn't afford private education. Even the best schools only teach by rote.
• 'Middle class' in Australia = 'upper class' in Chile. 'Middle class' in Chile = 'working class' here.
• You can't get fresh milk, nice milk chocolate or coffee. You can get great dark chocolate, icecream, fruit juices and Vegemite. You can also get gorgeous fresh produce from local markets, but only the poor shop there - the rich eat packaged food. 
• Clothes aren't as well made as they are in Australia, and they wear out a lot quicker.
• Chileans love bread. Batches are baked throughout the day in the local supermarket and people line up for warm, just-cooked loaves. Mmm