Retire In Ecuador

Here are 10 insights into life in this beautiful country, my top tips for the would-be Ecuador expat or retiree…

Tip #1: Always start with “buenos días” (good morning). 

People in this part of the world don’t jump right into the issue when addressing each other. So, when you get into a taxi, for example, you don’t start with, “Take me to _____.” You start with “Good morning.” When entering a store, smile at everyone you pass and say good morning or how are you. Then say, “Do you have any ____?”

In more personal settings, handshakes and kisses when coming and going are important. 

That greeting is something you don’t want to bypass, because if you arrive or leave a place without saying hello and goodbye to someone, the assumption is that you’re mad at the person.

Tip #2: Don’t show up to parties on time.

Many people in this part of the world can’t keep commitments. You will learn quick who can and who can’t, and you’ll learn to work with the people who meet your expectations. 

Until you adapt to this, you will lose time sitting at home waiting for people who don’t show.

Tip #3: Be courteous.

You get what you give. People who smile and approach others with courtesy get the same thing in return. 

Tip #4: Acknowledge your bad Spanish.

Unless your Spanish is legitimately fluent, begin any conversation with, “Excuse me, my Spanish is not very good, but…”

First, this makes the Spanish-speaker more attentive to what you’re saying, but it does something else, too. It lets the person on the other end of the conversation know that you’re not a cocky American who’s going to barge in and belligerently demand what he wants. Also, it signals instead that you’re asking for help. That really puts someone in a different state of mind.

Tip #5: Pedestrians do not have the right of way, ever. 

Lots of people get run over. One trick when crossing a street with a stop sign is to cross behind the lead car. Locals don’t ever cross in front because that car is watching the traffic. When there is an opening to go, they will go whether there is someone in front of the car or not.

The pedestrians are just expected to scatter. It takes some getting used to, but you can’t expect crosswalks to be honored or for pedestrians ever to have the right of way.

Tip #6: You’ve got to drive aggressively.

If you’re a yield-to-the-right-of-way person, you’re going to be sitting at the first intersection you come up to until doomsday. Ecuadorians are very aggressive behind the wheel. They don’t let people in, and they don’t show courtesy, neither to pedestrians nor to other drivers. If you can’t drive like them, you’re better off not driving. 

Tip #7: Forget ideas about personal space.

Tip #8: Don’t get in a taxi without agreeing the fare in advance.

Tip #9: Don’t wait to be seated and other restaurant etiquette.

In the United States, when entering a restaurant, we wait to be seated, but here you seat yourself. Also, in our culture, a waiter is designated to certain tables, and you only ask your waiter for more water, etc. That doesn’t happen here. All the waiters are happy to help.

Also, if you need something, don’t worry about who took your order, just grab the next guy you see. Plus, you need to ask for the check.  You can say, “La cuenta, por favor.”

Restaurant bills here include a 10% tip. Want to leave something extra? That is fine but not expected. And, if I know the restaurant owner doesn’t distribute tips to the wait staff, leave cash on the table.

Tip #10: Bring patience with you.

Know that nothing will be as efficient as where you’re from. Be patient.