GREETINGS AND WORDS
A big cultural difference between the average American and the average Ecuadorean is how and how often we greet each other. Always greet people you know even if you've already seen them during the day. Get your handshaking muscles in shape because Ecuadorians shake hands with every greeting. Also, women and women and men and women who know each other will often kiss on one cheek when greeting and departing. Men don't kiss other men. Parties and family functions can feel very different since it's typical to greet everyone when you arrive and say goodbye to everyone when you leave. Greetings are one of the areas that most host families comment on as where tensions lie so try hard to greet people way more often than you might be used to. Be sure to greet your household members when you arrive home and when you leave.
"No más" is a common phrase in Ecuador. When used with a verb, it has the equivalent meaning of "go ahead." An example of usage is: "Bañate no más," meaning go ahead and take a bath.
People do not use the word "coche" in Quito; "carro" is the usual word.
"Bastante" means a lot; "suficiente" means enough.
Everything ends with "ito" or "ita," both diminutives characteristic to Ecuador.
And remember that "novio" means fiance; to talk about your boyfriend or girlfriend use
the word "enamorado" or "enamorada."
TITLES
When you meet another person at work, be sure to use his or her title. They are very important in Ecuador because titles confer status. Academic training usually confers titles such as Ingeniero/a (engineer), Arquitecto/a (architect), Doctor/a (lawyer or physician), or Abogado/a (lawyer).
Mentioned above but worth repeating is party etiquette: Expect to be introduced to everyone individually at a party by your host. And, when you leave a party, you should say goodbye to everyone individually.
CONVERSATION TOPICS
With people at work avoid topics like your personal problems, marital status.
Avoid politics when you first meet someone. If you don't agree on political issues, be sure to be polite and to drift conversation to other subjects. Obviously, you'll be able to discuss politics and religion with people you get to know, but take it slow at first.
MEALS
Meals will be the most important get-together for you and your family. If you never show up at meals, the relationship between you and your family will never develop.
Your family won‘t feed you what you might normally eat in the United States. Instead, you will have an opportunity to try Ecuadorian food and eat the same things they do. Please inform your family if you have allergies or special dietary restrictions. It is almost impossible to be a vegan in Ecuador, so please be aware of that and be flexible. When possible, eating the main meal with your family is strongly encouraged because this is often the meal where the whole family is together. It can be an enjoyable and educational time. Breakfast is usually a light meal served between 7:00 and 8:30 a.m.; lunch (the main meal for most families) 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.; and dinner (again a light meal of soup or a sandwich) at about 7:00 or 8:00 p.m. Some families have only coffee in the evening. Please note that a couple days a week you will eat lunch near the Spanish classes or at your clinical site, either as a group or on your own.
Some of us (especially in Portland!) have strong ideas about food, health, and nutrition. Much of the rest of world perceives this as an impossible privilege or just plain picky. If you suspect that you fall into this category, then please plan ahead. You will need to expect to spend your own money on items like dried fruit and nuts or energy bars. Also, if your Ecuadorian family does not eat as many vegetables or fruit as you would like, then you will need to purchase these items yourself. It is easy to be healthy in Ecuador and wonderful vegetables and fruits are abundant at the markets. You just need to factor it in that your family may have different ideas about food than you. Please remember you are a guest in the home of your host family! It is not easy to bring an outsider in and be appreciative of what your family provides you.
ECUADORIAN FOOD AND DRINK
The Ecuadorian diet consists largely of fresh vegetables, meat, chicken, and fruits. Rice is almost always part of the meal, and potatoes are widely used in everyday cuisine.
Ecuadorian cuisine is unique to the Andean region where it originated and has developed over the centuries. The majority of Ecuadorian dishes are not unlike what you are accustomed to eating in the United States. The season of the year is a prime factor in the selection of the type of food.
Ecuador has some of the most delicious fruit juices to offer, but beware: drink only jugo puro or jugo sin agua in restaurants. Anything else will get you repeated trips to the toilet (at best) or the hospital (at worst).
Don't eat fruits or vegetables that are unpeeled, and never eat cooked food from street vendors. If the vendor is selling fruits or vegetables that need to be peeled before eaten, you can buy them on the street. Be careful about the things you eat and drink, but don't become obsessive about them.
You will undoubtedly see fruits and vegetables that you have never heard of or seen before. Try them all, even the ugly ones. The willingness of past homestay participants to try rare and exotic foods has been a source of enjoyment for both the student and the Ecuadorian family.