Observations about living in Ecuador
After being here for almost two months, these are some of the observations that I’ve made about Ecuadorian life/customs.
- Although I’m about a head taller than most people, I’m still consistently called “niña” (little girl). However, once a stranger at the photocopy place called me “reina” (queen)…which sounded pretty strange to me, no? People really like to use terms of affection like cariña, querida, amor, and dimunitives of names, for example “Sarita”.
- If a seat becomes available in a crowded bus most men will motion to me to sit down, even if they were closer to it.
- Men will also whistle, stare, or compliment me in the street if I look nice or am wearing a skirt.
- Paying for something with a 20 dollar bill is right out of the question. (you even get grumbled if you want to pay with a 10) So, ever since I discovered the change machine in the mall by where I work, I’ve become accustomed to walking around with about 10 dollars in quarters. My purse is really heavy…which might be helpful next time someone whistles at me…
- Prices of fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers are super cheap here. Most anything produced in the country costs half of what it would in the U.S. The other day I bought 10 oranges, 2 tomatoes, 2 cucumbers, and 4 bananas for $3.50. A whole pound of strawberries costs $2.
- It’s rude not to greet people when you are coming or going, so I say “good day” to about a million people every day. That includes co-workers, the guards in my building and at the UN, the janitors in our office, and shop owners.
- Standing in lines at the bank is really frustrating because people have no respect for your place in line. Once I asked a woman why she cut in front of me, and she replied “it’s my spot because I’m a señora”. So, age discrimination is totally normal.
- Crossing streets is also very frustrating since cars just see pedestrians as nuisances to be honked at rather than human being who are trying to make their morning commute.
- Being on time is not important.
- City buses don’t have schedules, set stops, or maps. So it’s up to you to investigate how to get from place to place on your own. Plus, they try to go as fast as they possible can and pack in way more people than is really safe. But it’s nice that a ride only costs a quarter (another reason to carry change).
- City buses almost always play bachatá music. Why?
- Baked goods are usually very disappointing. Bakery breads lack good texture, I haven’t yet found a place that makes a good brownie, and people seem to like dry cakes. Although, I have found a good pastry with banana and chocolate inside.
- Junk food is sold and consumed everywhere but there aren’t any really fat people. Not everyone is skinny, but no one is super fat. Crazy, huh?
- People who are your friends will help you out in a sticky situation, show you around, introduce you to friends and family, and be there for you when you need it. I think Ecuadorians are some of the most genuinely nice people on a whole. Even if some of them are jerks to you for being a gringa, the rest of them make up for it 100 times over.