Crash course in Chilean Spanish
First things first, yes, water drains counter-clockwise here in the Southern Hemisphere, and a Chilean dog's bark sounds identical to an American dog's bark. Who knew given that the Chilean people sound so much different than Americans. Now on to more important items. When visiting Chile be aware that Chileans speak Spanish and little else. Even here in Santiago English speakers are few and far between. While you will be able to find menus in English, be aware that you are probably in a tourist trap and paying for the English translation. So it would be a good idea to brush up on your Spanish language skills before a visit to Chile. But don't fear if the extent of your Spanish is “uno mas cerveza, por favor,” as Chileans are very friendly and will bend over backwards to communicate with you.
Even fluent Spanish speakers should be aware that Chilean Spanish is not easily understood. I have come across many native Spanish speakers who have told me that it is difficult for them to understand Chilean dialect. The best way to explain Chilean Spanish is to state that it is a slang language. Chileans speak fast, drop sounds from words, and have many common slang words and sayings.
One language rule of thumb to be aware of is Chileans drop the “s” sound from just about every word. For example, on a recent trip to the local market the cashier told me the total for my goods was “di mil.” Luckily I knew he meant it was “diez mil.” Similarly you may hear a phrase like “algo ma,” which is really “algo mas.” See how this could cause a problem?
Regardless of your Spanish proficiency, Chile is welcoming to foreigners. So don't let a little lack of communication skills prevent you from a great Chilean adventure. Besides when you don't know the words, use hand gestures and point, that's what I do. But always remember to say “por favor” as manners go a long way.