Here we go again! We’re back in South America to talk about ECUADOR!
After 2 weeks of exploring and taking in Ecuador, I think I am getting a pretty good sense of the typical Ecuadorian (in the Central region anyway….I did not make it to the Oriente, or to the coast). Obviously, as with any stereotype, these are drastic generalizations, so please don’t take them too seriously. (I don’t like offending people.)
Zaitchik – Ecuador
- Ecuadorians are very short. At 5’4”, I felt tall for the first time in my life in this country. Many of the women would be wearing 3-5” heels and I still towered over them. And many of the Quechua men and women had to be less than 4” tall.
- Ecuadorians love to make copies. Seriously in every city we went to, big or small, Copias (copy) stores were EVERYWHERE…sometimes with more than 1 on a street. I’m not sure what everyone is copying, but those machines are definitely in hot demand.
Portrait of a boy with the flag of Ecuador painted on his face.
- Ecuadorians are not as into Coca tea as other South American countries. They sell it at every supermarket, and when you’re up in higher altitude, but most restaurants and cafes do not offer it.
- There are seriously as many stray dogs in Ecuador as there are people. Many of them are ridiculously cute, and living in really depressing conditions. (I really wanted to take this one adorable puppy home with me.)
- Ecuadorians, like Peruvians, do not wear sunglasses. There are sunglass stores EVERYWHERE, and people seem to always be selling sunglasses on the street, but nobody wears them.
Streets in Ecuador
- Ecuadorians are not big fans of spice. Seriously, foods are very simple and very bland. I bought a bottle of hot sauce less than 2 weeks ago and it’s almost empty.
- Bus travel in Ecuador is disproportionately inexpensive compared to the cost of everything else. You can take an 8-hour bus across the country for $7. That said, buses here are not as nice as in other South American countries, and most do not have bathrooms.
- If you are traveling by bus, you will rarely have to look at a schedule and book your ticket ahead of time. The bus system in Ecuador is very extensive, and buses run on major routes every 5-15 minutes. You also can get off and get on anywhere along the route. I was dropped off on the side of the road when going to the Cotopaxi region, and picked up a bus heading back from Cajas National Park the same way right along the highway.
- Ecuadorians have crazy strong cell phone reception. I was trekking on the top of a crater lake, in the middle of nowhere at 4,100+ meters, and our guide was receiving (and making) phone calls. It’s crazy.
Beaches in Ecuador
- Ecuadorians really like candles. Every table in every restaurant has a long, tapered candle on it. People use candles to pray. It is all very romantic.
- Ecuadorians are not big fans of Peruvians. There is a long history of conflict between the 2 countries, and they are still fighting over land. They are also not big fans of Chile, though I never figured out why.
- In larger Ecuadorian cities, there are stores where you can buy cheap rip-off DVDs on nearly every street. Many of the movies haven’t even been released in theaters yet, or are currently in theaters and not yet available on DVD. Chris had a field day….
- Ecuadorians are very set in their ways. The more old-school people think that Ecuadorian cities and people are becoming too modern. The modern people think that a lot of the tradition is too dated and is holding them back. And all Ecuadorians think that the region they live in is the best region in the country, and that all other regions aren’t worth your time.
- Ecuadorians love fruit. In buses, at corner stands, in markets and stores; fresh fruit, smoothies and jugos (juices) are everywhere!
- Ecuadorians LOVE ice cream. Postres (desserts) are literally on almost every menu. Ice cream trucks and stands are on almost every corner. And for the corners without official stands, women and children sell ice cream on the street in cones, scooping it from giant blobs on their laps or heads.
- Ecuadorian children (ages 0-7) are the cutest children ever. They all have this dark, perfect complexion and big, almond shaped eyes; I just wanted to take all of them home with me. (Seriously, I want to start an exchange program where you can borrow children for short periods of time… :)).
- Every Ecuadorian street is named after a famous Ecuadorian. This makes getting around a little difficult, as you have to use both the first name and last name of the street you’re looking for, since many of the last names overlap.
- Every Ecuadorian car, even those that are barely working and should be in a junkyard, has a car alarm. And these aren’t your state-of-the-art car alarms; they’re the ones that go off if a rat runs beneath it, a dog pisses on it, or you are within 5 feet of the car’s exterior. That said, the streets are quite noisy with the alarms constantly going off. (There were a few in particular I was ready to break).
- Ecuadorians love the US. They use US currency, wear US clothes, and graciously welcome Americans to their country. (Just never say you’re from America…so are they.)
- As with most of my lists, I’m sure this one will keep on growing. But hopefully it gives you a pretty good sense of an average Ecuadorian guy or girl.
Ecuadorian students
So in love with this place!
Jokes about Ecuadorians
Ecuadorian Jokes
Ecuadorian Jokes
Rosa Coello
You should make a better research before posting something about a whole country.
Luis Drouet
Rosa Coello, I’m thinking you didn’t read the article.
“I think I am getting a pretty good sense of the typical Ecuadorian (in the Central region anyway….I did not make it to the Oriente, or to the coast). Obviously, as with any stereotype, these are drastic generalizations, so please don’t take them too seriously. (I don’t like offending people.)”
Read more: https://nationalstereotype.com/ecuadorian-stereotypes-2/
Brandon C.
First of all, why is there a website dedicated to stereotyping countries? Second of all, this all bulls***. This is racist, not even half true. How about you live in the country for your whole life and actually research? You cannot just perceive something just by your eyes.
Lucy Priscilla Saviozzi
This man is a dumb illiterate piece of garbage who didn't spend enough time in Ecuador.
Giovanna Alexandra Aguilar
Sweetheart, you are truly ignorant about Ecuador, and blatantly ill-versed in travel. Ecuador is ethnically and racially diverse which no one would know from your stereotypical posting and pictures. Food is bland? Hmmm very misinformed. Nothing like a blatant fluff piece at an attempt to gain followers.
Giovanna Alexandra Aguilar
Sweetheart, you are truly ignorant about Ecuador, and blatantly ill-versed in travel. Ecuador is ethnically and racially diverse which no one would know from your stereotypical posting and pictures. Food is bland? Hmmm very misinformed. Nothing like a blatant fluff piece at an attempt to gain followers.
David Silva Leal
How can you tell Ecuadorians are not fans of Chile, seriously who told you dat ? How can you tell people are not tall do you even get to the coast ? The coast is way different people are taller maybe more than you. Food is bland ? because you didn't try aji. Next time you should not post something without knowing it by detail
Chooch
These are ridiculoius stereotypes. The Hells Angels in Ecuador picture is the dumbest thing ever. We actually do have motorcycles in Ecuador.
The comment about food being bland is probably the craziest comment. You clearly have not been to Ecuador and are just copying comments and pictures from google. Food in Ecuador is known for having several different flavors depending on the dish you are eating.
Why not comment about visiting the beautiful beaches in Ecuador? Or going to a soccer game. Mind you the LDU Quito team were champions of South America in 2010. We played Manchested United in the club world cup final.
Chooch or in spanish we can say burro
Andrew
I am Ecuadorian and this hurts my feelings, I will hold my mothers hand now.
Pablo
I am Ecuadorian. I can confirm this is all true. I must go home now… My dinner is ready and I don’t want my cuy con papas to get cold 🙁
Johnny
I am Ecuadorian and I have a big head, I have good girth too.
Anahi Chicaiza
I am so sorry that a lot of people took this way more seriously than they should have. You clearly are just talking about you personal experience and not about facts or research. It’s funny how people take being short, or being told that they’re short as an insult. They didn’t even read the whole thing attentively, but they ask you to inform yourself better before writing… Anyway, just wanted to say that the names of the streets, at least in the Sierra are mostly Spaniard famous people, not Ecuadorian, unfortunately. But I don’t know every street in Ecuador and yes, some of them are named after Ecuadorian persons, but just thought I’d let you know. About food, that hurt a little bit, I also cried to that! No but seriously, I think you didn’t get to experience what an Ecuadorian would call good food, which is strange because there are plenty of good places, but maybe next time try having a food tourist guide (any Ecuadorian friend). Thanks for reminding people from the U.S. that we are also Americans.
Better luck next time you come visit!
Ren
hahaha XD, that’s mostly true, but we have spicy food too, BTW about being short that’s also true , I’m 5’1 and somehow I’m not considered that short.
paulo
Most of this is true, I have lived here for 5 years and can vouch for most of this, well in guayas and the coast anyway. This post will be choppy as i will be rememebing things as i write it.
The food thing is partially right, ecuadorians think a slight bit of chilli is too hot and they have a dish called guatita which is disgusting, beef is horrible but ceviche and seafood here are amazing, chicken is good too and a lot of people have chickens so you can get fresh eggs and free range. Bolon con huevos, enrollado de pollo o camaronas, crabs here too are delicious. like the fruit and vegetables, a huge selection of juices but a lot of people don’t eat much, instead they eat chicken rice and beans every day. It’s surprising as there is so much choice of food. Ecuadorians are short, that is a fact. many streets are named after people. you just need to check guayaquil to see see a lot of streets victor emilio estrada, francisco orellano, jaime roldos etc. You were spot on for most of the article but ecuadorians are very proud and hate to be criticised so this is why you see the comments, they also hate queuing too and push in which is annoying as hell and look surprised when you say i was here first. You only get 1 type of cheese here and maybe a small section for other cheese. Jealousy is ridiculous in relationships here and will accuse and expect their partner to cheat. It will seem stupid the jealousy to any gringo. Its like romeo and juliet where they will defend their family no matter what so with family bonds it is very strong. Police are useful here and will take bribes but are generally relaxed and do try and diffuse situations. People hate reading here, it is as if they are going to die if they have to read a book The country is beautiful and so varied and you can take a bus ride and be in a totally different landscape, each city is unique and has a different culture, Cuenca to Quito, esmereldas, loja guayaquil all different and unique as well as the culture of each place and the people slightly different. So if you like the it being hot go to the coast, if oyu like it cold go to the sierras. Beaches are nice and people know how to party. New years eve here is LOCO and you will find people throwing dynamite in the street and will have a huge assortment or munecas where even after weeks of making each one they burn them and again all with family and neighbours and it’s really nice. If you go To Bahia in guayaquil for example you will find anything from copies of dvd like the article states, phone repairs, clothes, shoes but don’t buy any shoes – they are awful in bahia and a lot of stolen things are there too which is very annoying as a lot of people are robbed. No one smokes on the streets but people drop rubbish even if a bin is 2 metres away which annoys me a lot. People argue but never fight and will shout tu madre, p**a tu madre Ch**ha tu madre etc without coming to blows. Coffee and chocolate are the best in the world as far as i am concerned and are fantastic and a huge selection is on offer, import taxes are extremely high and it is better going to colombia or the usa to buy a lot of things and you will actually save money. If you get sick of Rice don’t come, they eat it with everything including lasagne and spaghetti bolognaise which aren’t that great and the chinese restaurants here sell something called chaulafan which isn’t good. the chinese food isn’t nice here. Generally though like every country there are ups and downs. One thing i have noticed though are people are pretty relaxed, I could go on as i have lots to say but ignore the comments criticising the article as ecuadorians are proud and hate criticism.
Alex Cevallos
Yes ,The country is beautiful and so varied and you can take a bus ride and be in a totally different landscape, each city is unique and has a different culture, Guayaquil to Machala , quito, loja ,cuenca ,Babahoyo all different and unique as well as the culture of each place and the people slightly different,people drop rubbish even if a bin is 2 metres away which annoys me a lot
Unfortunately in Quito, Riobamba and Manta, many people of low education and many thieves in the streets, that is the Decada Ganada.