Customer Reviews

Cultureshock! Ecuador (Cultureshock Ecuador: A Survival Guide to Customs & Etiquette)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're planning on going to Ecuador this is the book for you. The author writes in a very lively way to keep you interested all the way to the end. Having lived there for over 20 years he has authoritatve views and accurate histories to really get you prepared to interact with the people of Ecuador. The author also has a helpful list of do's and don'ts to help keep you out of trouble. Check it out.

For those of you who have already read travel guide books but want a more in depth account of the culture and customs of Ecuador, then this book is for you. This book is unique because in addition to the typical useful facts about climate, political upheaval, the height of volcanoes, and the possibility of dying from myriad tropical diseases, it explores topics pertaining to social class. The author includes a section on women's issues, (yes, prostitution) machismo, immigration, and how indigenous groups fit into the fabric of society. As a result of reading Crowder's book, I have less of an excuse for making a cultural faux pas when interacting with Ecuadorians. For example, the chapter on etiquette, humor, personal space, bribery, and the importance of diplomacy, provide valuable insight into their culture. And did I say bribery? The detailed description of the Ecuadorian diet is appreciated although I think I will skip the consumption of roasted guinea pig and just witness its use in religious rituals.

Although one can certainly read selected chapters in any desired order, I enjoyed and benefited from reading the book in its entirety. For those readers who are already proficient Spanish speakers, the chapter about language includes some unusual information about regional accents, slang, titles and nicknames, and how one is judged in Ecuadorian society by one's choice of vocabulary. The glossary containing specific colloquialisms is a real gem and is a welcome addition to the usual list of basic Spanish vocabulary found in most books.

This is not a tourist guide of hotels and restaurants ... it is a book that carefully outlines and discusses cultural differences and some of the reasons why they exist the way they do. Whether it's historical, religious, political, contemporary, or rooted in their own peculiar geography, one peels away layer after layer of interesting and useful information. This is an excellent book for the traveler, for the new resident of Ecuador, or for tourists who want to do more than listen to English-speaking tourguides.

The book is very interesting and does shed some light on Ecuadorian customs. However the book is geared to the two largest cities in Ecuador, Quito and Guayaquil.
Cuenca is hardly mentioned. There is no mention of Manta, Bahia nor Salinas. Some of the information in the book is a bit dated as the government has changed the constitution in 2004 and the visa requirements are also changed.The information given for Quito and Guayaquil is not necessarily relevant to other areas of the country.
All in all it is a good read!
It will help the traveler to a basic understanding of some do's and don'ts, depending upon one's destination.
TG

If you want lots of details on life and attractions in Guayaquil and Quito, this is your book. Cursory treatment of anything outside these two largest metropolitan areas Not quite what I was looking for. Crowder does however have many interesting audio interviews with authors and experts that are available online. Search latin america traveler dot com.

I am a Spanish teacher who has not traveled to Ecuador but had trouble finding country-specific info for this country. Crowder did a thorough job. Partly reads like a travel guide but tons of Ecuador-specific customs, cultural explanations and etiquette points. Definitely recommend!

I will be beturning to Ecuador next month for a one month stay. I have just about finished this book. It is an excellent overview of a place that facinates me. I feel prepared for this visit. So glad I found it on Amazon.com. I will probably read again as needed once I get there.

As all Culture Shock books, this too is a very good one in unerstanding the soul of a country.

I think this book is a comprehensive and excellent resource for anyone considering moving to Ecuador, which would be me. The topics from history to current culture and politices, climate, demographics, etc. were very helpful to me.

This book is a very comrehensive look at the culture & people of Ecuador. It is written like a travel guide giving an inside look into different locations & the people living there. This book would an enjoyable read even for people who are not planning on traveling to Ecuador.