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Chileans are interesting. I like the country, they seem to be culturally capitalist (though when we were there we did observe a communist party having a rally

Chileans are interesting. I like the country, they seem to be culturally capitalist (though when we were there we did observe a communist party having a rally of some sort.) But on the street, you don't see kids bugging you for money, the poor kids go around selling coca-colas in the park. The older kids sell american cigarettes. Chileans don't seem paranoid, or to have an inferiority, nor a superiority complex like many people. They're open, but not pushy. If you don't say anything to them, they'll leave you alone, but if you ask a question they'll try to answer it. Santiago has a gay quarter which looked about comparable to the kind you'd find in an american cities. We were there during the day so I can't say anything about the scene, other than it isn't in the closet. Oh, and they have the best food. Highly recommend Chile as at least a place to visit. I could certainly live there.

andrewcooke 15y ago
the political spectrum is wider than the usa, and people are more politically involved (both of which you would expect, i think, given the country's history). some of the most decent people i know here are still active communists; many of my friends were in the party during the dictatorship because that was the main coordinating movement in the resistance. there's an active debate about how society should work. i suspect some americans will see "communists" and think they are going to have their work stolen from them. that's not the case. in practice the debate is more about where to position the country between what you might call "european" and "american" ideals. sure, some people i know advocate permanent revolution. but on the other side some people advocate eugenics of the poor (seriously - speaking from experience). there really is a wider range (and i think that's a good thing).

andrewcooke 15y ago

the political spectrum is wider than the usa, and people are more politically involved (both of which you would expect, i think, given the country's history). some of the most decent people i know here are still active communists; many of my friends were in the party during the dictatorship because that was the main coordinating movement in the resistance. there's an active debate about how society should work. i suspect some americans will see "communists" and think they are going to have their work stolen from them. that's not the case. in practice the debate is more about where to position the country between what you might call "european" and "american" ideals. sure, some people i know advocate permanent revolution. but on the other side some people advocate eugenics of the poor (seriously - speaking from experience). there really is a wider range (and i think that's a good thing).