November 29th, 2013

Hey there Everyone:

I am going to take just a few minutes to chat about a pet peeve of mine.  I sympathize with all travelers, as I have been one also.  So if there is a traveler in need or looks in need, we all know that scared and puzzled face, I ask if they need help.  Now I am just under 6' tall and blonde and a woman so it is obvious I am not an Ecuadorian.  I first ask in Spanish and then I usually do it again in English.  What is starting to get on my nerves is that they are treating someone who is trying to help them with utter disdain and revulsion.  I realize I am not a beauty queen but really.  This happened today so I am kindly reminded of it.  I am hoping that we all can advise our tourist friends to this kind of behavior and reaction that they can expect.

 What makes me very sad is that this comes from living in a fear based society.  What also makes me sad is their lack of manners.  As Canadians are often told as children we must say both please and thank you twice in a sentence, before and after.  The Ecuadorians are also highly polite and respect good manners and kindness.  This is what makes me sad.  These lovely people are not getting that in these tourists.  So please when you travel remember your manners and that the people serving you and working with you are usually hard working good people.  

Yes, you might run into "tourist trap tax" but that is to be expected in a barter based society, consider that cultural interaction and try and laugh it off.

Everyone deserves respect and should never be treated as second class citizens, especially in their own country.

Love thy neighbor

Robin