Here in Chile, almost everyone who meets me calls me “la gringa”. Since day 1, I can remember my friends introducing me to other people as “la gringa” and then the name just stuck. Its been almost 9 years and it’s become somewhat of second nature to respond or look up whenever I hear “gringa”.

The term “gringa” or “gringo” refers to anyone who is foreign – from any country. However, the taller and blonder you are increasing the odds of being called a gringo. I’m not blond but I am tall. Plus my Chilean friends tell me that I’m “gringa para mis cosas”, which translates into “I’m loud, crazy, opinionated, and organized” but in a sweet and endearing way. I know, it’s a back-handed compliment but it’s taken me a while to understand Chilean humor and their sarcasm.

Now, I don’t go introducing myself like “Hola, soy la gringa”. I find it a bit silly, to be honest. I actually introduce myself by my given name, Andrea, and then it evolves into this conversation when someone hears me being called “gringa’ by a friend. They ask why, and then  I tell them my life story (not really) and then they continue to call me “gringa”. It’s a vicious circle that I secretly love.

So what makes it ok to be called “la gringa” in Chile?

Reason 1: Everyone has a nickname and “gringa” is mine.

You just need to hang out with two Chileans and you’ll realize that everyone in Chile has a nickname. Very few people go by their actual names. There is simple nicknames like “Cata” for Catalina, “Javo” for those who are called Javier. But there are a few that caught my eye.

Let me give you a few examples:

Fernando =“Feña”

Jose = “Pepe”

Luis= “Lucho”

Maria Paz= “Pachi”

Maria Jose= “Cote”

Josefa= “Pepa”

Sometimes people will go by their last names or even given nicknames by the way they look. “Negro” for someone who is darker skinned, or “flaca” for someone who is thin, “cabezon” for someone who has a big head, you get it. Very few Chileans go by their actual name. The only people I can think of are people who have one syllable names like Maite or Pablo. Correct please if I’m wrong.

My name is Andrea, which really doesn’t have a nickname. Since I don’t introduce myself as “La Gringa”, people I’ve worked with usually call me “Andre” or “Andy” which is kinda boring. So since I actually am a “gringa”, my nickname fits perfect with me. I even have nicknames from the “gringa, I have friends that call me “grings, gringui, and gringuita”. Chileans are quite creative.

Something else to note is that In Chile it’s very common to include an article (la for female, el for male) before a person’s name.  This is not the correct way to speak when talking about someone but everyone does it. Which is why I’m “La Gringa”.

Reason 2: The way they say it

Tone is Chile is very important. For example, the word “weon” can be used to talk about your friend and also to insult someone. You can even insult your friend using the word two times in one sentence. It’s all about the way you say it. “Weon, eres weon” is translated to “dude, your an idiot”. Same goes with the word gringa. Almost always when someones call me “gringa” I know it’s because they are a friend and they care about me.

What do you think?

If you’re already living in Chile, you’ve probably already been called “gringa” or “gringo” before. If not, you will soon enough. Everyone has a different reaction and feelings about being called this. Me being OK with it doesn’t mean that you have to. There are times that it bugs me.

Sometimes people who “know me” (Chileans who met me once at a party and run into me again on the street or months later at another party) will have other motives. They’ll want to discuss politics, or ask if you know the same family they meet in Colorado years ago. Or they’ll use you as a conversation piece and show you off as their “gringa” friend because Chileans think it will give them some sort of status. I don’t mind talking about who I am but I have other stories and topics that I enjoy talking about other than the reasons why I left the US.

Anyways, what do you think? Let me know in the comments below! I’d love to know what you think!