This is the best video on the cultural differences of the US and Latin America culture I have seen, and I have watched hundreds of them! It would be required watching. Take the time to watch this if you are considering moving.
Hello guys, I found your channel couple days ago and I really enjoy watching your videos. I would like to say something about GETTING GRINGO, I am from Ecuador and I have to tell you that this practice has nothing to do with being GRINGO. As a matter of fact this practice goes back to when indigenous people started going to the markets to sell their produce or livestock. It was a hard thing to do, many walked for hours to go and back from the market by the end of the day if they didn’t sell much at that it was preferred to drastically drop their prices and loose money than going back with their produce which ended anyways on the garbage. That practice gradually extended to now days. Let me tell you it doesn’t matter if you are gringo or not, you could just be from out of town, or even the same town… I think no matter where you go when dealing with small entrepreneurs is the same experience. We had a boutique hotel & restaurant back in Switzerland, and negotiations with the winery where we used to buy some of our wine (small winery) were always present. Being in the hospitality back in Europe, and now here in Canada, I can tell you negotiations are always present, no because I ask but because are offered from the get go. In regards to the inexistent customer service, I am from Ecuador, lived in Switzerland for 14 years, and now in Canada for 17 years, I can tell you that I don’t remember ever receiving great customer service or any customer service for that matter. I always have to go after the staff on the floor which most of the time they make me feel like is a bother. I don’t know in USA (only visited once New York), but I don’t remember either, maybe because I was only there for a week. I also would like to emphasize that seems like you guys live in a very small village, Vilcavamba. I don’t know how it looks now, but when I was a child I remember going there to our friends ranch, and it was mostly dirt and lots of coffee and corn fields. Mentalities are different from city to another, same applies from city to small towns. One thing for sure, I’m happy to hear, that people are still KIND! And that’s something we all need to practice. Best of wishes to all of you and your families, much health, love, and abundance for this new year. Greetings from the West Coast! And thank you for sharing your videos.
We are glad you have found our channel. Stay tuned, as more content is on the way. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and views about this topic. Vilcabamba is growing up quick, but you can still find those coffee and corn fields.
Great insights! Thank you for the feedback. It’s really helpful that you were able to illustrate things that a new expat might struggle with (I’m 2 hours outside NYC so I get it!) but ultimately show the positive effect of the cultural difference. I mean those are all the reasons I would come - people are nice to each other, escape from the rat race, not having to stress about time and schedules, etc. That’s just not the US culture and you’re right - it’s killing us! Awareness of these specific things will really help me adjust and hopefully mitigate some of the effects of culture shock. This is really a public service video!
I had to laugh out loud several times during this video. I'm an American planning on retiring in Ecuador in the next year or two. I've spent the last six years teaching English in Vietnam, and the cultural similarities are uncanny. Personal space, hahaha. I can be in an elevator and have some random old lady start rubbing my arm to feel my light skin and the hair on my arm (one of my students asked me why I have fur). The first question you get, even before what's your name, is how old are you. Foreigner pricing and negotiating, lack of privacy (if you confide anything to even your closest friend, it is common knowledge before the next time you walk out of your door), the ephemeral meaning of time, maintaining your composure... There were some mostly minor differences that you talked about, but I think having accommadated to many of these cultural norms will serve me well. Enjoyed the video. New sub.
Hey Pat, thanks for subscribing, we appreciate your support! Yes, some of these cultural norms are experienced in other countries across the world from what I've been told. It will be helpful for you to have already become accustomed to these new normal processes for when you move down to Ecuador. Stay tuned, as we have more content videos coming out soon.
Thanks for this video! I was lucky enough to travel since I was a child and lived in Mexico in high school. The Western system of set pricing for all commerce isn’t the norm in a lot of the world. Although it’s not the fault of Westerners that we don’t feel comfortable negotiating, we need to learn how to do it well. That’s just part of assimilation if we don’t want to be overcharged. The history of commerce from time began has been negotiations. The spice trade or Middle Eastern bazaars? They negotiated. Westerners just don’t have the practice so they say two weeks becomes a habit? Negotiate for two weeks and you will get it! I also think some Westerners feel so uncomfortable doing it they are willing to pay more then just tell themselves it’s a donation to poorer people. That’s only an excuse to pacify themselves and their own discomfort. It’s not a good idea on many levels, as someone mentioned here. I won’t support vendors who try to overcharge me in the US or anywhere. There is always another store or market. You just walk away. Once negotiating becomes a habit then it’s actually kind of fun because it’s expected and it’s very normal to the sellers. I’ve walked away from sellers and they call me back, then I walk away again, rinse and repeat. We reach a price we that doesn’t insult either of us and we are both happy. In regards to unmarked prices in markets for food, I’m thinking I may quickly make friends with an English-speaking Ecuadorian and go to the market with them to learn prices and ask them for advice on shopping, then treat them to a great lunch! I think I will also get a baseline of supermarket prices for veggies, etc., and hopefully understand the averages of what things should not cost in an open market. Anyway, just my thoughts. Thank you again!! ❤❤
best video i've seen about ecuador so far; and probably the longest. could make a whole series about these issues. anyway, excellent work, looking forward to seeing more. thanks.
Thank you so much for your feedback! Yes, we are trying to put out more and more videos covering topics that expats would find helpful. So keep your eye out for more videos!
THANK YOU FOR BEEN IN MY BIRTH COUNTRY......THEN I REALLY THANK YOU FOR THE ADVISE AND TIPS ABOUT THE LIFE INSIDE ECUADOR... I AM REALLY PROUD TO HAVE A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY......MY ADVISE TO THE VISITORS:...KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN!!....AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR VISIT!!
@@AbundantLivingEcuador I hope to move there one day, wife willing!! I appreciated the information regarding church, as that is a most important part of my life.
Guys, I'm moving to Ecuador in 2 month from Europe, so this video was life-saver, many thanks!! I was looking for these kind of tips, especially what acts and norms I shouldn't take personally as a private person. I don't want to come off as rude either, so I'll pay extra attention to my tone..
When I go into Mom and Pop stores, I chat them up first, or at the very least say "Buenas tardes" and ask how they are. I speak decent Spanish, because of a Junior Year Abroad in Quito in 1975-76. But perfect Spanish isn't required to be courteous and respectful.
@@joel6427 Ha! Same with me. I was always told by teachers I had the best accent in class and my Hispanic friends think I do too. But then people think I’m fluent and it’s highly embarrassing! 😂 I think we are good mimics for accents but with actual sentences, not so much. We will get there someday!!
Ecuador es un país tan extraño con diferentes culturas tanto que entre una región a otra tu creeras que estas en otro pais, en la costa veras gente fiestera, burlesca, y un poco tosca, mientras que en la Sierra es algo totalmente diferente con gente servicial, tranquila, amable y muy educada, por algo es el país de cuatro mundos.
Another great podcast! Also, congrats to Jesse on #3 coming. Lot of solid info here.....Hey, one thing I would like to hear more about is schools for children. Public vs. Private etc. How much are they? If you have kids and they are school aged, what has been your experience with them? What about sports as well? Collectively as a whole, do you feel your kids have a great opportunity to succeed in their chosen career path? Long story short, my wife is born and raised in Guayaquil and we are strongly considering a move down to Ecuador. Not sure what area yet but wanted to know about schools. I love southern Ecuador! Thanks again and keep it up!!
Thanks for your comment, Ryan! That is a great idea for another video, we have added it to our list of video ideas. There is at least one private school that I know of in Loja called "San Gerardo." (sangerardo.edu.ec/main/public/) I know of a couple expat kids who went there and really enjoyed it. Otherwise, in places like Vilcabamba (south of the city of Loja) homeschooling is common among expats and I've heard there are a couple homeschool groups that meet. I hope this helps answer your question until we are able to put together a RUclips video.
Great video. I learned a bunch of stuff and know to recalibrate my expectations. I had met with Jessie and Ryan at the Madre Tierra Resort & Spa back in November of 2020. Ryan met with me later and showed me some properties. Ryan was new to ALE and didn't have a card. So, I didn't get to follow up and say thanks for the trip to Quintana. It was cool that one of his best friends is Talbott Walker, the Mushroom King of the area. One cultural item that I noticed that you didn't cover (since you likely already have a washer and dryer in your homes) is the complete lack of laundromats in Vilcabamba and the reliance on people to do your laundry for you. That took some gettin' use to. Also, another cultural norm that would have been nice to hear about is - when attempting to buy real estate, agents seem to handle both sides of the purchase - acting as a buyer broker as well as the seller broker. At least that's how it seemed. Exclusive agents - is how we would describe that in the states. It also seems (from my experience with a different agent) that agents are entrepreneurial and that they mark up what the seller wants for the property that may have nothing to do with the 6% (combined buyer and seller agent fees) charged in the states. For example, the seller may want $50,000 and the Ecuadorian agent might list it for $80,000 - keeping the difference. Also, when it comes time to pay the earnest money, let's say 10% of the agent's price, that money doesn't go into an escrow account. It gets paid to the agent. In the USA an escrow company would hold onto it until the deal closed or if it didn't would return the funds appropriately. I would say that's a sobering cultural difference. Perhaps someone will create a blockchain smart contracts coin/app that can be used in countries like Ecuador, that is connected to what is known as an Oracle, that in this hypothetical use case would be connected to the countries real estate databases - to prove that a transaction had completed before funds were transferred. So, with my understanding of Ecuadorian real estate, a great deal of trust is needed to send money to the agent (the de-facto/proxy escrow company), to hold ahead of closing. Especially during hard times when that earnest money is likely to have been spent long before the purchase closes approximately six months later. Thanks again for the video. 'Coming back to Loja province in 2021, Jim from Phoenix
Hey Jim, thanks for the comment. It was my pleasure taking you out back in November. I thought I'd clarify a few things for you so you have a better understanding of the real estate process here in Loja province. 1. Properties are marked up a slight amount to account for negotiations just like real estate in every part of the world. Pocketing $30,000 commission is not what real estate agents are doing here, I'm not sure where you got that false information. The sellers know what the sale price is on the their property sold. Appropriate commission is distributed from the seller to the agent when the deal closes. 2. Earnest money (referred to as a deposit here) is accepted by either agent or seller and is secured with a promesa de compraventa (purchase & sale agreement), or a letro de cambio...both of which guarantee the deposit is returned if the deal falls apart. 3. Unless there are title issues on a land purchase, deals are closed within 3-5 weeks in Loja province...not 6 months. I hope this helps with your overall outlook on real estate sales here. We look forward to your return and for the opportunity to be able to show you more properties when you're ready.
@@AbundantLivingEcuador Thanks for the quick response and those insights. Quick follow-up questions: 1.) what is the typical buyer agent and seller agent percentages each = 3%? totaling 6%?, 2.) do you ever split commissions, in essence welcoming a buyer broker when you are the seller broker?, 3.) what is the typical percentage of the agreed-upon price that is handed over by the buyer with their signed promesa de compraventa (purchase & sale agreement), or a letro de cambio?, 4.) is the latter ever written in English when both the seller and the buyer speak English? , 5.) when the deal is in the works, where does the closing take place for a property to be bought is located in Vilcabama or Yangana? --- Inquiring mind needs to know. ;-) Thanks Jim
After listening to this conversation, I feel like I'd love Ecuador. My spouse however would be a fish out of water. If you're set in your ways and closed minded, it's not the country for you.
When you talked about lying. It is the same here in US especially when you hire someone to say build you a house or do some remodeling. Contractors and the building industry always lie. They say a project will be done in a certain amount of time and it is never done on time and most times it always costs more.
We lived in Tanzania for awhile and it is exactly the same way there too. Mzungu prices. They are definitely not, for the most part, trying to rip you off. You’re right, it’s definitely not worth the 25 cents.
Hi Mike! How cool that you were able to live in Tanzania! So, I'm not familiar with a specific greeting that people use with the elderly other than "señor" or "señora" and "don" or "doña." Usually those are placed in front of the person's name if you know their name. I imagine that greetings like these vary by region and country within Latin America too.
For the majority of latinamerican our parents thaught us to respect the elder, disabled, pregnant lady. Thats something that surprised so much to seniors, ladies when I go to US like let then go first in line, open a door!!
In our current economy, we see lots of people in their 20's and even 30's living with their parents. Sometimes the parents need financial or physical assistance too, so it's mutually beneficial.
Our house we rented in Cuenca was listed as “steps away from Supermaxi” but is actually two miles...which I guess is still steps away, just a lot more than anticipated.
I didn't see the Gringo prices so much in Ecuador when we were there in late 2019. It was blatant in Costa Rica though. Outrageous prices for things in areas where tourists might show up. If you ask where the locals go, you find prices vastly less.
Thank You for this! I laughed my A$$ off. I have been there several times and can relate to so much of what you said, especially the burocrasy(sp) getting my paper work straight in Quito, in a bldg I called HELL! Fortunatly my wife is from there. I remember they had sighns on their desks letting you know if you raised your voice at them you would go to jail, my smart wife would send me out for coffee. And what about the toilet paper issue?
Glad you enjoyed, Richard. Sounds like you have enjoyed your own share of culture shock and challenges too! It can be frustrating, but it is also refreshing and interesting at times also. Stop in next time you are here again.
very nice, the thing about mingos... is that the word? I love that, amongst being older myself and knowing I would not be specifically targeted for abuse... am almost already there, feeling so passionate about this new home country!
I may need to go back and listen to the video again. Maybe the word is gringo? This is a slang word used for foreign expats. It is a nice community here in Vilcabamba for sure where the locals and foreigners get along great!
Most Cuenca houses, unlike mine, do have a street name and number. However, NO one uses "north", "south," "east," or "west." Instead they use landmarks. It makes sense when you consider Cuenca has 4 rivers, a few bluffs, and all those mountains.
@@cherylpomeroy2556 Thanks. Good to know. In Vilcabamba a lot of stuff gets delivered to local well-known places (like the Madre Tierra Resort & Spa) because neighbors and people just down the street don't have addresses there. So, perhaps in bigger cities, they can't escape it. But, in more rural or small towns, the address is more of a description - and likely a nightmare for delivery people, mail or otherwise.
Moving to Manta in December. Great intro and advice. I will have to drop my urban alpha male obnoxiousness and aggression. You should do one video on traffic, and the so-called "rules of the road". I found it totally insane.
A minga is an indigenous concept of shared work for shared benefit -- in a rural community usually. In the past, chicha (corn beer) and food would have been involved. The concept has become part of mestizo/white Ecuadorian society, to some extent. However, in my white/mestizo Cuenca neighborhood there is a community association that primarily focuses on safety concerns -- we all pay the 24/7 guard a montly fee. No mingas. I introduced one of my neighbors to another. They were very uncomfortable with each other, even though they'd lived one block from each other for over 20 years. I later realized that one is from a lower middle class family and the other an upper middle class family. Cuenca is very classist.
Unfortunately that is a problem that came from the conquista. Spaniards have forgotten what happened there in Ecuador but some Ecuadorians no yet. There is still a resentment towards higher classes which are compared to Spaniards. Of course you as foreigners are not participating of that so you are fine, but be aware of that. Most of my neighbors get along well with me back in Ecuador and I feel like I speak to my parents, uncles or any other relative when I speak to them, and that is something common there but also you will find a few cases where they don't get along, despite the time. These cases reminds me of the Capuletos and Montescos but also has political reasons in between. My advice is to not force a friendship between them if you want to be out of trouble.
So...there is a piece of property on Abecuador.com...15 minutes from Loja...does that mean "by helicopter or by car"? Just want to clarify and verify. LOL 😂😂 Great video!!
You guys could be describing Thailand where I currently live and have worked for over six years. In Ecuador, I'm concerned about on ramps, banking with crypto assets. Could you address how one would retire there and have access to this type of income stream?
If you are doing crypto online, you can do it anywhere in the world. You can buy and sell crypto freely here. The only thing that is a little more challenging here is cashing it. The government did ban crypto as a form of payment in this country, but this could change with the new president. I hope this answers your question!
@@discotex2236 Ah, you'd have to find someone you know or have a connection with to buy it from you. They could transfer money to your bank account and then you can withdraw it.
Everyone wants to be respected, but to get respect you have to give respect. A "sliding fee" in any country is NOT "nice". As you mention, people do it to others in their own country, but usually we have other choice words for them. People who are used to "showing off" in their own country like to pay too much. They think they are "helping" the poor Ecuador people. That's condescending. If you walk around being a happy mark you're going to be a mark a lot more often. If you think it's too much walk away. Hispanics don't respect people who pay too much. They screw up the economy and they have a sign on their heads. I like your video, it respects the local culture. Earn their respect by living like them in their country. Sometimes people in Spain would laugh when I would call them on something. Most people in my area became quite protective of me once they knew I was alone and was always polite. It was actually quite sweet. You don't have to pay "too much" to get attention. That doesn't impress in a good way. I now live in a country where they will do a job and then add $100 - a call out fee that wasn't mentioned, or some labour that wasn't done, or ... They speak the same language as I do and they think they are "smart" taking advantage. Live with that for some years and 50 cents here-and-there is a relief. :)
I can't wait to live where the food grows naturally in abundance (clearly not around the ocean) and family matters. I hope the increased rain isn't due to weather manipulation and chem trails?
The food grows in abundance here, that's for sure. I know plenty of people who believe that the increase of rain in our area is due to weather modification in other parts of the world. For every action, there is a reaction.
@@AbundantLivingEcuador Love how you address all from a variety of perspectives, sharing at times sociological, economical, philosophical and always practical points.😔🙏 Grateful.
"Shaft the gringos...." This became an amusing, oft-repeated catch-phrase amongst me and my buddies when I spent time in Ecuador...lol. We imagined it to be written in the "think bubbles" of every one who saw us coming down the street. Whenever something weird happened to us or some bad turn of luck occurred...(nobody's fault) we'd just look at eachother and say "shaft the gringos" in a kind of Speedy Gonzalez accent and then fall about laughing..... It was basically just a comical conspiracy theory we employed to get through some pretty difficult times. It created the amusing air of having an entire country secretly trying to rip us off and sabotage any enjoyment we might have...lol We didn't really feel targeted in this way however. We all looked like sh*t with beards, and well worn clothes....no "bling".....so probably didn't look too wealthy anyway. There's some really great folk in Ecuador and it was a thoroughly enjoyable tour.
Many times we find ourselves saying "you just can't make this stuff up". Many random things come about while living in Ecuador. It makes the journey that much more enjoyable.
@@AbundantLivingEcuador Ohh yes...for sure!! On my return home, I had so many Ecuador tales to tell...but all too often I'd end up just thinking to myself "you'd really have to have BEEN there to get it..." because so many things were just "of the moment" and "in that place".....which is one of the really cool things about being in a different country and experiencing different cultures. We were in Cuenca....pitt-stopping a bit before heading for Guayaquil....and I saw this guy working on laying a new section of pedestrian paving. Deep holes everywhere (exposed drains) no barriers, no hard-hats, no warning signs etc...lol Anyway, this guy swings his huge, double-spiked pick-axe far backwards and I kid you not....just misses burying it in this little indigenous old lady's head by about "an inch." It just grazes the brim of her hat, and skews it a bit, but she doesn't even stop, she just fixes it and carries on walking, utterly unaware of her good fortune!! She's totally oblivious and the guy with the pick is totally oblivious also...and I look around in shocked disbelief, but nobody else really saw it happen except me. Prior to this, I used to be one of those "health and safety gone mad" type moaners.....but having seen (first hand) a really bad incident just being avoided by nothing but sheer luck....it made me totally re-think my philosophy about this...lol Then there was the overnight coach trip from Loja to Salinas....which we get told, is very prone to bandit activity in certain parts of the route. The running joke we had there....as security was body-searching us before boarding was: "It's ok...they're just checking us for knives...and if we don't have one then they're just going to give us one "....lol Good times though....!!
I don’t know your names but the guy in the black shirt is right, the same thing happens here in the Unite States, when you go to buy something in Publix is $6.75 an I go to Walmart is $3.10. In Ecuador you can negotiate to $3.00. It is not you are a gringo.
87 Questions I love it clarify like butter baby- And this guy is sooo dead on correct there is a system and it does work and U have to work it then its all good
I think you are just expressing things in a very polite way. If you ask me, for example, overcharging foreigners, buying tickets 30 minutes before the beach closes without notifying you, etc., it can only tells this: the people (or part of the people) of the country are lazy, greedy, and ignorant.
@@AbundantLivingEcuador sure, its not any country's 'patent'. Maybe it's so-called basic human beings' nature or maybe it comes from Sins. But the root, the most fundamental reason I think is poverty.
No pasa nada, Luis! Siempre cuando un extranjero viaja a otro país, va a encontrar cosas o custumbres diferentes que son parte de la cultura del país. No son necesariamente malas experiencias, sino experiencias de una cultura diferente. Deberíamos mantener una mente abierto hacía otras culturas. Por eso hicimos este video para dar una idea a extranjeros sobre las diferencias entre la cultura de Ecuador y la cultura de los Estados Unidos para que tengan una mente abierta.
We don’t move out at 18! Here kids , I hear they screaming at their parents: AS SOON AS IM 18 I LEAVE! The parents answer screaming also: WHAT ABOUT LEAVING NOW!
Non confrontational? Just be careful! My ex husband a German we used to live in NY and when we were in the highway someone will do something ( I never knew what) then he will get an attitude and mumble: oh yeah? I will teach him! Oh my goodness that was it.. he will follow him, totally out of the way we were going just to teach him a lesson... will follow ( I will be crying of course: Stop what’s wrong with you, we will be late etc etc. He will mumble : I have to teach him a lesson - probably he didn’t realize what he did... - he has to give up his driving licentious then So he will reach him and do a maneuver almost hitting him, the other guy was surprised so we will leave back to our way! That’s crazy ( men are crazy) so in Ecuador we were going in the highway and a Jeep with five men with machetes were going to work in the country and l guess the driver did something and forget it my ex wanted to do the same he does in NY but then I saw that I scream at him: are you crazy? There are four men with machetes and are you going to give them a lesson? He was mad ready to continue following faster after them and they noticed so forget it... they were going to turn to another road but saw him so they turned back and they started to follow him! He had to really go fast and scared! These men were showing their machetes! I guess they saw me crying and my daughter in my arms or they were late to work or a miracle hay and they left! Men ARE CRAZY!
Politeness is very important for Latinos, it’s cultural and it’s terrible when you go to USA people are not polite! We say good morning, god afternoon, thank you etc... if you say good morning to a neighbor in USA they look at you like: uh? And don’t respond! Of course there are exceptions! We say MANDE to our parents when we are called! That means like: you are calling? I’m ready for whatever, you are my superior! Our parents are our superiors! In Colombia when a parent call they answer: Yes Sir:, or Yes madam! We are very respectful! We girls sit with legs closed when wearing skirts! Sorry that is what we notice in USA! They just sit with wide open legs! That’s a no no! When you are a child your parents say: sit nice, straight up, etc etc parents are always telling us: don’t put your elbows on the table, use your knife etc etc Americans for us are not polite at all! ( there are small exceptions) when we buy something most say oh that’s expensive, I give you so and so... they say another price then you say another etc! About I’m sorry thing lol, they can punch you and say I’m sorry and think nothing happens here because You said I’m sorry! ( look, nothing is perfect! USA and the drugs all over, etc etc all the hormones
Also here kids as young as 11,12,13, 14 and on their friends come INSIDE THE KID BEDROOM TO VISIT! It can be 1 kid or more than one! In Ecuador you visit in the LIVING ROOM! Not the BEDROOM! and not only that, kids close the bedroom door!!! What? NEVER YOU CLOSE THE DOOR WITH YOUR FRIEND EITHER MALE OR FEMALES IN YOUR BEDROOM! Parents NEED TO KNOW WHATS GOING ON! Here the kids say: INEED MY SPACE! What does that mean? Really cultural we aRE DIFFERENT AND I AM GLAD! Hard to raise your kid in USA! The parents... MANY unless religious... give their daughters, anticonceptives! At 11!! In Katin countries youn boys starting 13... go to el “ BARRIO” ROJO , la 18”! That’s prostitutes! Sometimes even their own fathers do that or their older friends!
I'll hold back my thoughts here. However, if you've never heard of Jim Anderson and his book Unmasked...I personally encourage anyone reading this to get the book and read it. Or RUclips search him and watch a sermon from him where he covers the contents of the book. www.amazon.com/Unmasked-Exposing-Cultural-Assault-Activity/dp/0982864205
#1-WTF?,#2-treated fairly= morality??, reminds me of a used car salesman, #3 space, some guy bumps me in the behind; not cool.#4 how so if not so for everyday?Elderly respect is good. #5 a culture thing, working together is awesome.#6 tip off should be paying to go to the beach, but what happens after 3?? #7 being a truth seeker I have a problem with liars. This seems like a mental issue more than anything, makes me wonder. I hate negotiating, but I am a very kind person, don't make much sense. # 8 playing games seems to be personal disrespect. I think my personality is very in-sync with this culture,, but I am very honest and will pay for a fair value, I'm not against haggling, but shit for a vegetable???
i dont agree with this guys oppinion or better said perception of a country that has host them politely, I travel around the world and the least I expected is to get pampered. Be realistic and greatful for what you have.
Thanks for your opinion Rosa. If you knew us personally then you certainly would not think we expect to get pampered. We are genuinely grateful for being able to reside here in Ecuador. They are such an amazing culture and people. We love it here. This video is just to advise people to adjust their expectations before moving here if they come from a western culture with many luxuries and service standards. Coming with expectations that the culture here will be the same as there is not the right idea. We hope this can help. Thank you for your understanding.
That is insulting. Grew up there and Icould say no. We were taught to be honest and direct. FYI is not in the culture to get whatever you can. This is a podcast that is insulting to those who grew up there. As I use to be told go home if I did not like something. Sane go home if you do not like it.
Hey Holger, thanks for sharing your view. While our experiences and perceptions might be different than yours, they are still an accurate reflection of what we see in the general sense. We are also not naïve to think that there aren't people like yourself living amongst us here that are honest and direct, because they were taught to be that way. We appreciate Ecuador and couldn't love the people of Ecuador more. They are kind, generous, and full of gratitude.
Mande? That shows respect! When we are little we learn to answer to our parents first saying Mande papa? Or MANDE MAMÁ? Is more like you are saying: I’m here ready to do your command? People asks more money for anything? Then say like locals say: ah no, MUY CARO! ( no carro) caro sounds like Carol no l of course... that means too expensive, que tal ( if they say $20) just say: que? Te doy 16! Si o si? They may say No, or 18? You cannot pay what they ask... then you will spoil them and won’t do that anymore with locals! !
![FNAF vs TF2 - Episode 2 [SFM]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/z5b3V2-VLb0/mqdefault.jpg)
Excellent advice! Thank you for the insight into Ecuadorean politics and culture.
You are so welcome, Ann! Thank you for the positive feedback!
This is the best video on the cultural differences of the US and Latin America culture I have seen, and I have watched hundreds of them! It would be required watching. Take the time to watch this if you are considering moving.
Thank you so much Robert, we try to be as open, honest, transparent and accurate as we can. Have a great day.
Hello guys, I found your channel couple days ago and I really enjoy watching your videos. I would like to say something about GETTING GRINGO, I am from Ecuador and I have to tell you that this practice has nothing to do with being GRINGO. As a matter of fact this practice goes back to when indigenous people started going to the markets to sell their produce or livestock. It was a hard thing to do, many walked for hours to go and back from the market by the end of the day if they didn’t sell much at that it was preferred to drastically drop their prices and loose money than going back with their produce which ended anyways on the garbage. That practice gradually extended to now days. Let me tell you it doesn’t matter if you are gringo or not, you could just be from out of town, or even the same town… I think no matter where you go when dealing with small entrepreneurs is the same experience. We had a boutique hotel & restaurant back in Switzerland, and negotiations with the winery where we used to buy some of our wine (small winery) were always present. Being in the hospitality back in Europe, and now here in Canada, I can tell you negotiations are always present, no because I ask but because are offered from the get go.
In regards to the inexistent customer service, I am from Ecuador, lived in Switzerland for 14 years, and now in Canada for 17 years, I can tell you that I don’t remember ever receiving great customer service or any customer service for that matter. I always have to go after the staff on the floor which most of the time they make me feel like is a bother. I don’t know in USA (only visited once New York), but I don’t remember either, maybe because I was only there for a week.
I also would like to emphasize that seems like you guys live in a very small village, Vilcavamba. I don’t know how it looks now, but when I was a child I remember going there to our friends ranch, and it was mostly dirt and lots of coffee and corn fields. Mentalities are different from city to another, same applies from city to small towns. One thing for sure, I’m happy to hear, that people are still KIND! And that’s something we all need to practice.
Best of wishes to all of you and your families, much health, love, and abundance for this new year. Greetings from the West Coast! And thank you for sharing your videos.
We are glad you have found our channel. Stay tuned, as more content is on the way. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and views about this topic. Vilcabamba is growing up quick, but you can still find those coffee and corn fields.
Man Jesse you are an Ecuadorian, that is the actitud.
Haha
Great insights! Thank you for the feedback. It’s really helpful that you were able to illustrate things that a new expat might struggle with (I’m 2 hours outside NYC so I get it!) but ultimately show the positive effect of the cultural difference. I mean those are all the reasons I would come - people are nice to each other, escape from the rat race, not having to stress about time and schedules, etc. That’s just not the US culture and you’re right - it’s killing us! Awareness of these specific things will really help me adjust and hopefully mitigate some of the effects of culture shock. This is really a public service video!
Thank you for your feedback! We really appreciate it!
Love your videos,stay positive ❤ from Texas 😇
Thanks for the feedback! ❤️ 🙏
Really enjoyed this video. My wife and I are moving to Cuenca next year and your advice was right on the money! Thank you.
Hi Amit! We're so glad this video was helpful for your upcoming move!
I had to laugh out loud several times during this video. I'm an American planning on retiring in Ecuador in the next year or two. I've spent the last six years teaching English in Vietnam, and the cultural similarities are uncanny. Personal space, hahaha. I can be in an elevator and have some random old lady start rubbing my arm to feel my light skin and the hair on my arm (one of my students asked me why I have fur). The first question you get, even before what's your name, is how old are you. Foreigner pricing and negotiating, lack of privacy (if you confide anything to even your closest friend, it is common knowledge before the next time you walk out of your door), the ephemeral meaning of time, maintaining your composure... There were some mostly minor differences that you talked about, but I think having accommadated to many of these cultural norms will serve me well. Enjoyed the video. New sub.
Hey Pat, thanks for subscribing, we appreciate your support! Yes, some of these cultural norms are experienced in other countries across the world from what I've been told. It will be helpful for you to have already become accustomed to these new normal processes for when you move down to Ecuador. Stay tuned, as we have more content videos coming out soon.
Thanks for this video! I was lucky enough to travel since I was a child and lived in Mexico in high school.
The Western system of set pricing for all commerce isn’t the norm in a lot of the world.
Although it’s not the fault of Westerners that we don’t feel comfortable negotiating, we need to learn how to do it well.
That’s just part of assimilation if we don’t want to be overcharged.
The history of commerce from time began has been negotiations. The spice trade or Middle Eastern bazaars? They negotiated.
Westerners just don’t have the practice so they say two weeks becomes a habit? Negotiate for two weeks and you will get it!
I also think some Westerners feel so uncomfortable doing it they are willing to pay more then just tell themselves it’s a donation to poorer people. That’s only an excuse to pacify themselves and their own discomfort. It’s not a good idea on many levels, as someone mentioned here.
I won’t support vendors who try to overcharge me in the US or anywhere. There is always another store or market. You just walk away.
Once negotiating becomes a habit then it’s actually kind of fun because it’s expected and it’s very normal to the sellers.
I’ve walked away from sellers and they call me back, then I walk away again, rinse and repeat. We reach a price we that doesn’t insult either of us and we are both happy.
In regards to unmarked prices in markets for food, I’m thinking I may quickly make friends with an English-speaking Ecuadorian and go to the market with them to learn prices and ask them for advice on shopping, then treat them to a great lunch!
I think I will also get a baseline of supermarket prices for veggies, etc., and hopefully understand the averages of what things should not cost in an open market.
Anyway, just my thoughts. Thank you again!! ❤❤
Thank you guys, good advice! I think I will fit right in when I get there!
Our pleasure!
best video i've seen about ecuador so far; and probably the longest. could make a whole series about these issues. anyway, excellent work, looking forward to seeing more. thanks.
Thank you so much for your feedback! Yes, we are trying to put out more and more videos covering topics that expats would find helpful. So keep your eye out for more videos!
THANK YOU FOR BEEN IN MY BIRTH COUNTRY......THEN I REALLY THANK YOU FOR THE ADVISE AND TIPS ABOUT THE LIFE INSIDE ECUADOR...
I AM REALLY PROUD TO HAVE A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY......MY ADVISE TO THE VISITORS:...KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN!!....AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR VISIT!!
Thanks for your comment, Hector! Your country is amazing!!
excellent and very entertaining advice, as always :) i can't stop laughing at the comedy of getting bad directions.
We're glad you were entertained by this video, Eric!!
Most helpful video of yours I have seen. Thanks!
Thanks Matthew! So glad you found it helpful!
@@AbundantLivingEcuador I hope to move there one day, wife willing!! I appreciated the information regarding church, as that is a most important part of my life.
Guys, I'm moving to Ecuador in 2 month from Europe, so this video was life-saver, many thanks!! I was looking for these kind of tips, especially what acts and norms I shouldn't take personally as a private person. I don't want to come off as rude either, so I'll pay extra attention to my tone..
Great to hear Simon, feel free to reach out to us if you come to Vilcabamba.
When I go into Mom and Pop stores, I chat them up first, or at the very least say "Buenas tardes" and ask how they are. I speak decent Spanish, because of a Junior Year Abroad in Quito in 1975-76. But perfect Spanish isn't required to be courteous and respectful.
You are SO right. A "Buenas tardes" or even a "como esta" goes a LONG way here.
@@joel6427 Ha! Same with me. I was always told by teachers I had the best accent in class and my Hispanic friends think I do too. But then people think I’m fluent and it’s highly embarrassing! 😂 I think we are good mimics for accents but with actual sentences, not so much. We will get there someday!!
Ecuador es un país tan extraño con diferentes culturas tanto que entre una región a otra tu creeras que estas en otro pais, en la costa veras gente fiestera, burlesca, y un poco tosca, mientras que en la Sierra es algo totalmente diferente con gente servicial, tranquila, amable y muy educada, por algo es el país de cuatro mundos.
¡Así es!
Another great podcast! Also, congrats to Jesse on #3 coming. Lot of solid info here.....Hey, one thing I would like to hear more about is schools for children. Public vs. Private etc. How much are they? If you have kids and they are school aged, what has been your experience with them? What about sports as well? Collectively as a whole, do you feel your kids have a great opportunity to succeed in their chosen career path?
Long story short, my wife is born and raised in Guayaquil and we are strongly considering a move down to Ecuador. Not sure what area yet but wanted to know about schools. I love southern Ecuador! Thanks again and keep it up!!
Thanks for your comment, Ryan! That is a great idea for another video, we have added it to our list of video ideas. There is at least one private school that I know of in Loja called "San Gerardo." (sangerardo.edu.ec/main/public/) I know of a couple expat kids who went there and really enjoyed it. Otherwise, in places like Vilcabamba (south of the city of Loja) homeschooling is common among expats and I've heard there are a couple homeschool groups that meet. I hope this helps answer your question until we are able to put together a RUclips video.
@@AbundantLivingEcuador You're welcome and thank you. Thanks for the info and looking forward to the video in the future.
Great video. I learned a bunch of stuff and know to recalibrate my expectations. I had met with Jessie and Ryan at the Madre Tierra Resort & Spa back in November of 2020. Ryan met with me later and showed me some properties. Ryan was new to ALE and didn't have a card. So, I didn't get to follow up and say thanks for the trip to Quintana. It was cool that one of his best friends is Talbott Walker, the Mushroom King of the area. One cultural item that I noticed that you didn't cover (since you likely already have a washer and dryer in your homes) is the complete lack of laundromats in Vilcabamba and the reliance on people to do your laundry for you. That took some gettin' use to. Also, another cultural norm that would have been nice to hear about is - when attempting to buy real estate, agents seem to handle both sides of the purchase - acting as a buyer broker as well as the seller broker. At least that's how it seemed. Exclusive agents - is how we would describe that in the states. It also seems (from my experience with a different agent) that agents are entrepreneurial and that they mark up what the seller wants for the property that may have nothing to do with the 6% (combined buyer and seller agent fees) charged in the states. For example, the seller may want $50,000 and the Ecuadorian agent might list it for $80,000 - keeping the difference. Also, when it comes time to pay the earnest money, let's say 10% of the agent's price, that money doesn't go into an escrow account. It gets paid to the agent. In the USA an escrow company would hold onto it until the deal closed or if it didn't would return the funds appropriately. I would say that's a sobering cultural difference. Perhaps someone will create a blockchain smart contracts coin/app that can be used in countries like Ecuador, that is connected to what is known as an Oracle, that in this hypothetical use case would be connected to the countries real estate databases - to prove that a transaction had completed before funds were transferred. So, with my understanding of Ecuadorian real estate, a great deal of trust is needed to send money to the agent (the de-facto/proxy escrow company), to hold ahead of closing. Especially during hard times when that earnest money is likely to have been spent long before the purchase closes approximately six months later. Thanks again for the video. 'Coming back to Loja province in 2021, Jim from Phoenix
Hey Jim, thanks for the comment. It was my pleasure taking you out back in November. I thought I'd clarify a few things for you so you have a better understanding of the real estate process here in Loja province. 1. Properties are marked up a slight amount to account for negotiations just like real estate in every part of the world. Pocketing $30,000 commission is not what real estate agents are doing here, I'm not sure where you got that false information. The sellers know what the sale price is on the their property sold. Appropriate commission is distributed from the seller to the agent when the deal closes. 2. Earnest money (referred to as a deposit here) is accepted by either agent or seller and is secured with a promesa de compraventa (purchase & sale agreement), or a letro de cambio...both of which guarantee the deposit is returned if the deal falls apart. 3. Unless there are title issues on a land purchase, deals are closed within 3-5 weeks in Loja province...not 6 months. I hope this helps with your overall outlook on real estate sales here. We look forward to your return and for the opportunity to be able to show you more properties when you're ready.
@@AbundantLivingEcuador Thanks for the quick response and those insights. Quick follow-up questions: 1.) what is the typical buyer agent and seller agent percentages each = 3%? totaling 6%?, 2.) do you ever split commissions, in essence welcoming a buyer broker when you are the seller broker?, 3.) what is the typical percentage of the agreed-upon price that is handed over by the buyer with their signed promesa de compraventa (purchase & sale agreement), or a letro de cambio?, 4.) is the latter ever written in English when both the seller and the buyer speak English? , 5.) when the deal is in the works, where does the closing take place for a property to be bought is located in Vilcabama or Yangana? --- Inquiring mind needs to know. ;-) Thanks Jim
After listening to this conversation, I feel like I'd love Ecuador. My spouse however would be a fish out of water. If you're set in your ways and closed minded, it's not the country for you.
You definitely need an open mind to live in Latin America if you're used to living in North America or Europe.
When you talked about lying. It is the same here in US especially when you hire someone to say build you a house or do some remodeling. Contractors and the building industry always lie. They say a project will be done in a certain amount of time and it is never done on time and most times it always costs more.
Yeah, it is a bummer that some people operate that way. It's good to be aware of it though.
Excellent, very helpful and entertaining.
We are glad you liked it.
We lived in Tanzania for awhile and it is exactly the same way there too. Mzungu prices. They are definitely not, for the most part, trying to rip you off. You’re right, it’s definitely not worth the 25 cents.
Regarding respect for elders, is there a common greeting used when encountering an elderly person ? In Tanzania it was “Shikamoo”.
Hi Mike! How cool that you were able to live in Tanzania!
So, I'm not familiar with a specific greeting that people use with the elderly other than "señor" or "señora" and "don" or "doña." Usually those are placed in front of the person's name if you know their name. I imagine that greetings like these vary by region and country within Latin America too.
@@AbundantLivingEcuador gracias señor! ;)
For the majority of latinamerican our parents thaught us to respect the elder, disabled, pregnant lady. Thats something that surprised so much to seniors, ladies when I go to US like let then go first in line, open a door!!
Exactly!
In our current economy, we see lots of people in their 20's and even 30's living with their parents. Sometimes the parents need financial or physical assistance too, so it's mutually beneficial.
That's right
Appreciate you guys
We're glad you enjoyed what we had to say!
that a NO here should be a NO forever, is definitely a pride-thing, much rather enjoy staying flexible!
Our house we rented in Cuenca was listed as “steps away from Supermaxi” but is actually two miles...which I guess is still steps away, just a lot more than anticipated.
Oh wow! That is quite a few more steps than one would typically expect from that statement. Flexibility is key here!
I didn't see the Gringo prices so much in Ecuador when we were there in late 2019. It was blatant in Costa Rica though. Outrageous prices for things in areas where tourists might show up. If you ask where the locals go, you find prices vastly less.
Yep, we saw that in CR as well. It's not as bad here in EC.
Great channel
Thanks for the support, Sean!
so much like thailand !! new sub here.. great video guys i am thinking of moving to ecuador in the near future!! marc
Thanks for subscribing Marc, much appreciated. I'm glad you liked the video. Stay tuned, as there is more on the way.
Thank You for this! I laughed my A$$ off. I have been there several times and can relate to so much of what you said, especially the burocrasy(sp) getting my paper work straight in Quito, in a bldg I called HELL! Fortunatly my wife is from there. I remember they had sighns on their desks letting you know if you raised your voice at them you would go to jail, my smart wife would send me out for coffee. And what about the toilet paper issue?
Glad you enjoyed, Richard. Sounds like you have enjoyed your own share of culture shock and challenges too! It can be frustrating, but it is also refreshing and interesting at times also. Stop in next time you are here again.
very nice, the thing about mingos... is that the word? I love that, amongst being older myself and knowing I would not be specifically targeted for abuse... am almost already there, feeling so passionate about this new home country!
I may need to go back and listen to the video again. Maybe the word is gringo? This is a slang word used for foreign expats. It is a nice community here in Vilcabamba for sure where the locals and foreigners get along great!
good one.
Thank you
'Seems like Ecuadorians are used to giving directions - because Ecuador doesn't have addresses (as odd as that sounds in our well-organized USA).
Most Cuenca houses, unlike mine, do have a street name and number. However, NO one uses "north", "south," "east," or "west." Instead they use landmarks. It makes sense when you consider Cuenca has 4 rivers, a few bluffs, and all those mountains.
@@cherylpomeroy2556 Thanks. Good to know. In Vilcabamba a lot of stuff gets delivered to local well-known places (like the Madre Tierra Resort & Spa) because neighbors and people just down the street don't have addresses there. So, perhaps in bigger cities, they can't escape it. But, in more rural or small towns, the address is more of a description - and likely a nightmare for delivery people, mail or otherwise.
I think the Gringo price thing is why you rarely things with the prices already quoted.
Right right
Good advice, guys.
Thanks for your feedback!
Moving to Manta in December. Great intro and advice. I will have to drop my urban alpha male obnoxiousness and aggression. You should do one video on traffic, and the so-called "rules of the road". I found it totally insane.
Yeah, I will try and do a video on the rules of the road. Great idea. If you don't like Manta, feel free to come move to the mountains of Vilcabamba.
A minga is an indigenous concept of shared work for shared benefit -- in a rural community usually. In the past, chicha (corn beer) and food would have been involved. The concept has become part of mestizo/white Ecuadorian society, to some extent.
However, in my white/mestizo Cuenca neighborhood there is a community association that primarily focuses on safety concerns -- we all pay the 24/7 guard a montly fee. No mingas. I introduced one of my neighbors to another. They were very uncomfortable with each other, even though they'd lived one block from each other for over 20 years. I later realized that one is from a lower middle class family and the other an upper middle class family. Cuenca is very classist.
Oh wow. That's a very interesting observation, Cheryl. Thanks for sharing!
@@AbundantLivingEcuador Thanks for the video. Good observations!
Unfortunately that is a problem that came from the conquista. Spaniards have forgotten what happened there in Ecuador but some Ecuadorians no yet. There is still a resentment towards higher classes which are compared to Spaniards. Of course you as foreigners are not participating of that so you are fine, but be aware of that. Most of my neighbors get along well with me back in Ecuador and I feel like I speak to my parents, uncles or any other relative when I speak to them, and that is something common there but also you will find a few cases where they don't get along, despite the time. These cases reminds me of the Capuletos and Montescos but also has political reasons in between. My advice is to not force a friendship between them if you want to be out of trouble.
So...there is a piece of property on Abecuador.com...15 minutes from Loja...does that mean "by helicopter or by car"? Just want to clarify and verify. LOL 😂😂 Great video!!
Hahaha! No, we typically mean by car unless we state it's by foot in a property's description.
Thanks for your comment, Paul!
Are there mosquitos in Vilca?
Yes, but not that many. They are around but do not swarm you, so I don't consider them a big deal.
You guys could be describing Thailand where I currently live and have worked for over six years. In Ecuador, I'm concerned about on ramps, banking with crypto assets. Could you address how one would retire there and have access to this type of income stream?
If you are doing crypto online, you can do it anywhere in the world. You can buy and sell crypto freely here.
The only thing that is a little more challenging here is cashing it. The government did ban crypto as a form of payment in this country, but this could change with the new president.
I hope this answers your question!
@@AbundantLivingEcuador Ha ha, no. That's the question. How do you get cash if no off ramps to local banks?
@@discotex2236 Ah, you'd have to find someone you know or have a connection with to buy it from you. They could transfer money to your bank account and then you can withdraw it.
@@AbundantLivingEcuador Maybe the new administration will make banking friendly toward crypto in the near future.
Buses are called "colectivos."
Everyone wants to be respected, but to get respect you have to give respect. A "sliding fee" in any country is NOT "nice". As you mention, people do it to others in their own country, but usually we have other choice words for them.
People who are used to "showing off" in their own country like to pay too much. They think they are "helping" the poor Ecuador people. That's condescending. If you walk around being a happy mark you're going to be a mark a lot more often. If you think it's too much walk away.
Hispanics don't respect people who pay too much. They screw up the economy and they have a sign on their heads.
I like your video, it respects the local culture. Earn their respect by living like them in their country.
Sometimes people in Spain would laugh when I would call them on something. Most people in my area became quite protective of me once they knew I was alone and was always polite. It was actually quite sweet. You don't have to pay "too much" to get attention. That doesn't impress in a good way.
I now live in a country where they will do a job and then add $100 - a call out fee that wasn't mentioned, or some labour that wasn't done, or ... They speak the same language as I do and they think they are "smart" taking advantage. Live with that for some years and 50 cents here-and-there is a relief. :)
Hey Xe, thank you for your comment. It is great to hear other expat experience from across the world.
I can't wait to live where the food grows naturally in abundance (clearly not around the ocean) and family matters. I hope the increased rain isn't due to weather manipulation and chem trails?
The food grows in abundance here, that's for sure. I know plenty of people who believe that the increase of rain in our area is due to weather modification in other parts of the world. For every action, there is a reaction.
@@AbundantLivingEcuador it's such a shame what's happening. Glad to know your eyes are open.
@@AbundantLivingEcuador Love how you address all from a variety of perspectives, sharing at times sociological, economical, philosophical and always practical points.😔🙏 Grateful.
"Shaft the gringos...." This became an amusing, oft-repeated catch-phrase amongst me and my buddies when I spent time in Ecuador...lol. We imagined it to be written in the "think bubbles" of every one who saw us coming down the street. Whenever something weird happened to us or some bad turn of luck occurred...(nobody's fault) we'd just look at eachother and say "shaft the gringos" in a kind of Speedy Gonzalez accent and then fall about laughing.....
It was basically just a comical conspiracy theory we employed to get through some pretty difficult times. It created the amusing air of having an entire country secretly trying to rip us off and sabotage any enjoyment we might have...lol
We didn't really feel targeted in this way however. We all looked like sh*t with beards, and well worn clothes....no "bling".....so probably didn't look too wealthy anyway. There's some really great folk in Ecuador and it was a thoroughly enjoyable tour.
Many times we find ourselves saying "you just can't make this stuff up". Many random things come about while living in Ecuador. It makes the journey that much more enjoyable.
@@AbundantLivingEcuador Ohh yes...for sure!! On my return home, I had so many Ecuador tales to tell...but all too often I'd end up just thinking to myself "you'd really have to have BEEN there to get it..." because so many things were just "of the moment" and "in that place".....which is one of the really cool things about being in a different country and experiencing different cultures.
We were in Cuenca....pitt-stopping a bit before heading for Guayaquil....and I saw this guy working on laying a new section of pedestrian paving. Deep holes everywhere (exposed drains) no barriers, no hard-hats, no warning signs etc...lol Anyway, this guy swings his huge, double-spiked pick-axe far backwards and I kid you not....just misses burying it in this little indigenous old lady's head by about "an inch." It just grazes the brim of her hat, and skews it a bit, but she doesn't even stop, she just fixes it and carries on walking, utterly unaware of her good fortune!!
She's totally oblivious and the guy with the pick is totally oblivious also...and I look around in shocked disbelief, but nobody else really saw it happen except me. Prior to this, I used to be one of those "health and safety gone mad" type moaners.....but having seen (first hand) a really bad incident just being avoided by nothing but sheer luck....it made me totally re-think my philosophy about this...lol
Then there was the overnight coach trip from Loja to Salinas....which we get told, is very prone to bandit activity in certain parts of the route. The running joke we had there....as security was body-searching us before boarding was:
"It's ok...they're just checking us for knives...and if we don't have one then they're just going to give us one "....lol
Good times though....!!
why not some topics about the city's security circumstances? like robbery?thxks.
Probably because there is an absence of them.
Wow
Wow indeed
Thank you....I have more knowledge...understanding..Thank you...Chao
You're so welcome, Ray!
About cutting line? Please HERE IN USA ALSO DOTHAT VERY OFTEN! And no older people! Please....
Right right
I don’t know your names but the guy in the black shirt is right, the same thing happens here in the Unite States, when you go to buy something in Publix is $6.75 an I go to Walmart is $3.10. In Ecuador you can negotiate to $3.00. It is not you are a gringo.
We are a culture that like to hug, and kiss you each other, when we say hello it comes with a lot of warning affects.
Thanks Carlos, Jesse is the one in the black shirt. There is also Carl on the left and Ryan on the right.
87 Questions I love it clarify like butter baby- And this guy is sooo dead on correct there is a system and it does work and U have to work it then its all good
Yeah! Thanks for your comment, Jerry!
I think you are just expressing things in a very polite way. If you ask me, for example, overcharging foreigners, buying tickets 30 minutes before the beach closes without notifying you, etc., it can only tells this: the people (or part of the people) of the country are lazy, greedy, and ignorant.
Sure, and really this can be with any culture or people group. Certainly not just Ecuador....
@@AbundantLivingEcuador sure, its not any country's 'patent'. Maybe it's so-called basic human beings' nature or maybe it comes from Sins. But the root, the most fundamental reason I think is poverty.
Mil disculpas por todo las malas experiencias en mi país
No pasa nada, Luis! Siempre cuando un extranjero viaja a otro país, va a encontrar cosas o custumbres diferentes que son parte de la cultura del país. No son necesariamente malas experiencias, sino experiencias de una cultura diferente. Deberíamos mantener una mente abierto hacía otras culturas. Por eso hicimos este video para dar una idea a extranjeros sobre las diferencias entre la cultura de Ecuador y la cultura de los Estados Unidos para que tengan una mente abierta.
Time dilation .... 😱
We don’t move out at 18! Here kids , I hear they screaming at their parents: AS SOON AS IM 18 I LEAVE! The parents answer screaming also: WHAT ABOUT LEAVING NOW!
Sad
En loja el taxi es a 1.25 y los tramposos no ponen el metro para cargarte mas
Non confrontational? Just be careful! My ex husband a German we used to live in NY and when we were in the highway someone will do something ( I never knew what) then he will get an attitude and mumble: oh yeah? I will teach him! Oh my goodness that was it.. he will follow him, totally out of the way we were going just to teach him a lesson... will follow ( I will be crying of course: Stop what’s wrong with you, we will be late etc etc. He will mumble : I have to teach him a lesson
- probably he didn’t realize what he did...
- he has to give up his driving licentious then So he will reach him and do a maneuver almost hitting him, the other guy was surprised so we will leave back to our way! That’s crazy ( men are crazy) so in Ecuador we were going in the highway and a Jeep with five men with machetes were going to work in the country and l guess the driver did something and forget it my ex wanted to do the same he does in NY but then I saw that I scream at him: are you crazy? There are four men with machetes and are you going to give them a lesson? He was mad ready to continue following faster after them and they noticed so forget it... they were going to turn to another road but saw him so they turned back and they started to follow him! He had to really go fast and scared! These men were showing their machetes! I guess they saw me crying and my daughter in my arms or they were late to work or a miracle hay and they left! Men ARE CRAZY!
I'm sorry to hear that Rosa.
Politeness is very important for Latinos, it’s cultural and it’s terrible when you go to USA people are not polite! We say good morning, god afternoon, thank you etc... if you say good morning to a neighbor in USA they look at you like: uh? And don’t respond! Of course there are exceptions! We say MANDE to our parents when we are called! That means like: you are calling? I’m ready for whatever, you are my superior! Our parents are our superiors! In Colombia when a parent call they answer: Yes Sir:, or Yes madam! We are very respectful! We girls sit with legs closed when wearing skirts! Sorry that is what we notice in USA! They just sit with wide open legs! That’s a no no! When you are a child your parents say: sit nice, straight up, etc etc parents are always telling us: don’t put your elbows on the table, use your knife etc etc Americans for us are not polite at all! ( there are small exceptions) when we buy something most say oh that’s expensive, I give you so and so... they say another price then you say another etc! About I’m sorry thing lol, they can punch you and say I’m sorry and think nothing happens here because You said I’m sorry! ( look, nothing is perfect! USA and the drugs all over, etc etc all the hormones
Politeness is important for Latinos indeed.
Also here kids as young as 11,12,13, 14 and on their friends come INSIDE THE KID BEDROOM TO VISIT! It can be 1 kid or more than one! In Ecuador you visit in the LIVING ROOM! Not the BEDROOM! and not only that, kids close the bedroom door!!! What? NEVER YOU CLOSE THE DOOR WITH YOUR FRIEND EITHER MALE OR FEMALES IN YOUR BEDROOM! Parents NEED TO KNOW WHATS GOING ON! Here the kids say: INEED MY SPACE! What does that mean? Really cultural we aRE DIFFERENT AND I AM GLAD! Hard to raise your kid in USA! The parents... MANY unless religious... give their daughters, anticonceptives! At 11!! In Katin countries youn boys starting 13... go to el “ BARRIO” ROJO , la 18”! That’s prostitutes! Sometimes even their own fathers do that or their older friends!
I'll hold back my thoughts here. However, if you've never heard of Jim Anderson and his book Unmasked...I personally encourage anyone reading this to get the book and read it. Or RUclips search him and watch a sermon from him where he covers the contents of the book. www.amazon.com/Unmasked-Exposing-Cultural-Assault-Activity/dp/0982864205
Carl is already hot 😋, why are you letting him bake in the sun?
Haha, great question.
#1-WTF?,#2-treated fairly= morality??, reminds me of a used car salesman, #3 space, some guy bumps me in the behind; not cool.#4 how so if not so for everyday?Elderly respect is good. #5 a culture thing, working together is awesome.#6 tip off should be paying to go to the beach, but what happens after 3?? #7 being a truth seeker I have a problem with liars. This seems like a mental issue more than anything, makes me wonder. I hate negotiating, but I am a very kind person, don't make much sense. # 8 playing games seems to be personal disrespect. I think my personality is very in-sync with this culture,, but I am very honest and will pay for a fair value, I'm not against haggling, but shit for a vegetable???
Thanks for you input.
i dont agree with this guys oppinion or better said perception of a country that has host them politely, I travel around the world and the least I expected is to get pampered. Be realistic and greatful for what you have.
Thanks for your opinion Rosa. If you knew us personally then you certainly would not think we expect to get pampered. We are genuinely grateful for being able to reside here in Ecuador. They are such an amazing culture and people. We love it here. This video is just to advise people to adjust their expectations before moving here if they come from a western culture with many luxuries and service standards. Coming with expectations that the culture here will be the same as there is not the right idea. We hope this can help. Thank you for your understanding.
That is insulting. Grew up there and Icould say no. We were taught to be honest and direct. FYI is not in the culture to get whatever you can. This is a podcast that is insulting to those who grew up there. As I use to be told go home if I did not like something. Sane go home if you do not like it.
Hey Holger, thanks for sharing your view. While our experiences and perceptions might be different than yours, they are still an accurate reflection of what we see in the general sense. We are also not naïve to think that there aren't people like yourself living amongst us here that are honest and direct, because they were taught to be that way. We appreciate Ecuador and couldn't love the people of Ecuador more. They are kind, generous, and full of gratitude.
Mande? That shows respect! When we are little we learn to answer to our parents first saying Mande papa? Or MANDE MAMÁ? Is more like you are saying: I’m here ready to do your command?
People asks more money for anything? Then say like locals say: ah no, MUY CARO! ( no carro) caro sounds like Carol no l of course... that means too expensive, que tal ( if they say $20) just say: que? Te doy 16! Si o si? They may say No, or 18? You cannot pay what they ask... then you will spoil them and won’t do that anymore with locals! !
Good to know!