Being Called Fat And Then Kissed.

Body Image

In many countries, the body image is such a big thing, and although we now live in a world where all body types are accepted and people thrive in confidence no matter what their size, there are still many people out there that hate the way they look and still shy away from certain clothing to hide the extra weight there carrying, we've all done it, This isn't something that I ever heard off in Chile. People are different sizes and they wear whatever they want. It seems they are all comfortable in their own skin.

As a foreigner living there, it really takes time to understand their lingo based around weight. You will, at some point, be called "guaton" or "guatona", which basically means fatty, this isn't meant in a harmful way. It can be used in a hurtful way, but when your friends or family say it to you, it isn't meant as an insult. In fact, it is seen as quite a loving thing, but everything being based around your weight is not easy for a non-chileno. whatever your weight, you are either a "guaton" or "Flaca", which means skinny. I spent 6 years of my life being "Flaca" and not Mollie. I had to get used to a lot of back-handed "compliments" such as, "You've got a great figure, a beautiful face, and an amazing chest. If you didn't have a flat arse, you'd be perfect." I can see how this was meant as a compliment, but it definitely felt like my flat arse became the centre of many conversations. After a while, that one thing that was being pointed out became a big thing in my life. I started only wearing certain clothes to enhance my little behind and would shy away from some clothing that I liked, just so I didn't feel "flat". It's funny how a country that is so comfortable in their own skin has all these lingos and weird compliments that are always based around weight. Definitely not an easy thing for someone from a different culture.

GoodBye Alone Time

As Brits, we are known for loving our own company. After a long week, there is nothing I love more than rotting alone in my house, away from everyone and just relaxing! In Chile, that isn't happening. You can be tired, overworked or even ill, and I guarantee the family is still going to turn up to eat "Once" (Pronouned On-Say).

Eventually, I accepted this new way of life, living in everyone's pocket, family having keys to the main gate of my house! Walking in and expecting me to have enough food for everyone. There is no such thing as a social battery or privacy. You will see people every day and have company all weekend. While I admire the love and the closeness of the culture, the Brit in me sometimes just wanted to go to bed and watch Netflix by myself.

Dinner replaces lunch

In my home country, dinner is the main meal of the day. We enjoy our dinner in the evening. It's always the comfortable time of the day for me. We eat our meal and relax for the rest of the evening until bedtime. This is why eating at 1pm was a big shock! Lunch doesn't seem to exist in Chile. You get up and eat your breakfast, and then you have to think about what you're making for dinner only an hour later.

Everyone eats between 1-3PM. later in the evening, what I would call dinner is replaced by "Once" (On-Say). A table will be set, which consists of a big basket of bread, avocados, butter, marmalade or Pâté. Sometimes hot dogs will be served, topped with tomatoes, avocados and mayonnaise. This was my all-time favourite, and even now I still make the famous chileno hot dog! Eating early became the norm, but, I definitely don't miss having to think about making dinner the moment I get up.

Any time there is a meal served, the entire family sits around the table. The soul of the house is based around the table, the food and the company. This was one of those cultural differences that I loved. Many households in the UK share these same values, but, there are also many that sit on the sofa eating their food, watching TV. That kind of situation would shock any chileno.

Kissing Everyone!

I grew up simply saying "hi" or "Alright" when you saw someone you knew, or when someone came over, this was the normal thing to do. A simple Hi would have been enough. It was a big shock to me the first time I greeted someone in Chile, and they went in for a kiss! Of course, on the cheek, but the moment they lean in, and you're not expecting it, you freeze up for a moment and ask yourself what the hell is happening?

"Hola" and a kiss on the cheek is the only way you greet someone in Chile. Like I mentioned before, I love my time by myself, so having to kiss twenty people in a room when you enter a house can be daunting! Yes, you read that right! 20! You can't walk into a house and stand at the door and simply wave a hello to everyone. You will be walking around to every single person, giving them a kiss on the cheek. It's safe to say sometimes I was exhausted before I had even sat down. As soon as you're done with all your greetings, you're instantly a part of the room, everyone will start talking to you. There's no hiding in the shadows or a corner in any chileno social group.

-

Being back in the UK, I definitely appreciate my own company a bit more, but, Chile taught me that having people around isn't always a bad thing, not giving me an opportunity to be alone and overthink as much definitely made tougher times a little less tough. I think i am probably way too "British" to embrace being called fat or skinny forever, but, what I did realise is, I'd rather be called "Flaca" out of love and with people who care rather than be a lonely "Flaca" in the shadows. British culture can be cold at times, and we feel the need to hide away from the spotlight. Chile forced me to be comfortable in my own skin, to be OK with being the centre of attention, to embrace the caring nature of others. Living in another culture definitely taught me a lot of things. Coming back to the UK, I definitely bought back some of that Chile warmth with me.