Fact Friday #17- Current Events II

It seems a little weird doing a Fact Friday on Christmas, but for the sake of consistency, here it is. And if your freaking out because I should be enjoying Christmas and not making a blog post, don't worry. I wrote this yesterday. :)

Politics and Religion-

One should avoid these topics except when with close friends or family, because it is considered rude and improper etiquette. If they do come up, one should tread carefully.

Can You Contradict the Government?-

Chileans enjoy the freedom of speech as well as freedom of the press. Therefore, they can contradict the government.

Crime-

The Crime Index in Chile is 43.31, which is fairly low. In the US it is 49.82. Most of the crime is minor stuff. The murder rate is 25% lower than in the States. The main crimes you have to worry about are pick pockets, cell phone, bike, bag, and the theft of other valuables, especially in Santiago and other big cities. For this, you are supposed to keep your bag wrapped around your leg at all times, and keep an eye on your possessions. This includes at restaurants, subways, and even at school. You should also make sure to always lock your bike up, and never leave it alone (even locked up) for long periods of time. Theft from cars is also very common. One difference between Chile and in the USA is paying with credit cards at restaurants. Here it is very common for waitresses to take your card to the cash register to swipe it. However, in Chile, you must make sure the waitress brings the machine to your table and swipes it in front of you. This is so they do not steal it.

¿Quieres Saber Más?-

Chile: The Expat's Guide, by Nathan Lustig
http://www.pressreference.com/Be-Co/Chile.html
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1981.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Chile#Freedom_of_speech_and_the_press \
http://www.numbeo.com/crime/country_result.jsp?country=United+States