Table etiquette in Ecuador includes saying buen provecho (“enjoy your meal”) to your companions before a meal (not before your host if being cooked for), or to fellow diners when entering or leaving a restaurant, and use con permiso (“with permission”) if squeezing past someone in a crowd.
How to dress in Ecuador
A dapper appearance, smart unrumpled clothes, brushed hair and polished shoes are unlikely to be achievable for most travellers, but are pretty well obligatory in business circles. Neatness in dress will always earn respect, particularly in the highlands, where sartorial norms are more formal than on the coast. Men should remove hats or caps indoors and short trousers or skirts shouldn’t be worn inside churches (shorts for men on the coast are more forgivable), where scruffiness of any sort will be frowned on. Skimpy dress for women will probably draw unwanted attention (see Women travellers), while topless or nude bathing on beaches is out of the question.
Dealing with bureaucracy
Politeness and tidy dress are particularly important when dealing with police or officials. Ecuadorian bureaucracy can be frustrating, but it’s vital to maintain good humour; losing your temper will quickly turn people against you.
It’s in this area you’re most likely to encounter the darker side of Ecuadorian culture – bribery. While corruption is widely condemned, low-level graft is routinely practised, with minor officials sometimes asking for “a little something for a cola” (as the cliché goes) in return for a favour or to speed up paperwork. It’s an art best left to locals; if you need a special favour, ask an Ecuadorian friend for advice on how to proceed and leave the negotiating up to them if possible. Never openly offer a bribe to anyone or you could end up in serious trouble.
Tipping
In smarter places, ten percent service charge will automatically be added to your bill; tipping above this is only warranted for exceptional service. Cheaper restaurants will not usually expect you to leave a tip, although it’s very welcome if you do. Airport and hotel porters should be tipped, as should the people who watch your car for you if you’ve parked in a street. Taxi drivers don’t normally get a tip, but will often round up the fare. Guides are tipped depending on the length of your stay or trip, from a couple of dollars to over ten. Tour crews in the Galápagos also receive tips.