Culture Shock

by


Scene 1:

I’m in a place where I feel like I do not belong. I don’t look like most other people. I’m not dressed like most other people. I am surrounded by unfamiliar objects. I don’t share the values that this space is shaped around. Music that I dislike is playing.

I’m in a shopping mall. 

A full-length, angled indoor shot shows a multi-story indoor shopping mall with people shopping on different levels/walkways. Overall, the shopping mall is lit with recessed lights in the ceiling. The ceiling is off-white with rectangular black recesses with rectangular lights inside them. Some areas on the ceiling have an abstract gridwork pattern consisting of intersecting beams. A large landscape painting occupies the area above the second story on the far wall. It features an image of a mountainous desert or badlands landscape with a cloudy, blue sky above it. The walkway closest to the viewer has a metal railing with glass at the base. The floor of the walkway is made of beige, rectangular tiles. Several people of different heights and builds are seen walking around on this walkway, some are alone while others are in groups; they are all wearing different clothes of varying color. The opposite side of the walkway also features a similar metal-and-glass railing. Below the walkways are commercial retail shopping locations, including shops with names like “Mac,” “PUSH,” “GNC,” and others. Each shop has bright lighting, and there are shopping advertisements on the walls. Additional people are visible walking around on the walkway above, doing various things such as shopping, standing, or walking alone. Some of the walkways feature rows of lush greenery on them. The entire shopping mall is clean, colorful, and well-maintained.
Quicentro, one of the main malls in Quito

Coming to Ecuador, I was expecting, and looking forward to, experiencing a new culture. I was looking forward to how I grow through being in uncomfortable situations and increasing my understanding of those different from me. 

If you’ve read my previous posts, you know that I haven’t been able to interact with Ecuadorians as much as I would like. I am so grateful for the many experiences I have gotten to have, but it hasn’t been the total cultural immersion I expected. 

But, I’ve recently realized that, in addition to the parts of Ecuadorian culture I’ve come in contact with, I’ve also been encountering another unfamiliar culture:

American culture

You see, at home, I have a lot more freedom to pursue the things that I’m interested in. So, I spend a good amount of time doing things by myself, or with my friends that have similar interests to me. But here in Ecuador, I don’t have that same level of independence, so join in with what other students in my group want to do. As it turns out, many of these activities or interests, although typical for US college students, are very much not normal for me. 

Take my experience in the mall for example. I’m fairly confident I’ve spent more time in shopping malls here than I have during the last ten years of my life combined. That isn’t saying much, because I hardly ever go to the mall at home, mostly due to the fact that I inherited my mom’s extremely low shopping tolerance. But here, los centros comerciales have become a routine stop for our necessities in Quito: buying snacks for trips, paying for phone plans, or clothes shopping.

Most of my mall experiences have been fairly positive. It’s interesting to people-watch, and there are some very yummy sweet treats!

Two young women are seated at a table in a brightly lit indoor space that appears to be a mall or shopping center. They are sharing a dessert, which they are both eating with forks. The dessert is served on a small square plate and looks like a chocolate pastry or cake, possibly with a textured or spiky appearance on the outside. The woman on the left is wearing a gray fleece zip-up jacket with a logo on the chest, while the woman on the right is wearing a brown fleece jacket. There's a brown paper bag containing additional items next to the woman on the left and a small pink box with an image of the Eiffel Tower on it, near the center of the table. A receipt is also on the table. The table has a white marble pattern, and behind the women are wooden chairs and tables. In the background, there is a store with the name "CHEVIGNON" displayed above its entrance. Other shoppers and mall features like lighting and architectural details are visible in the blurred background, indicating a bustling public area.
Trying a sweet treat at a cafe in the mall. They’re pretty inexpensive relative to how fancy they are!

But, in this particular instance (scene 1), I was in a clothing store, tagging along with some friends who were shopping for going-out clothes.

The interior of an open and brightly lit retail clothing shop on a sunny day is captured in a wide angle shot with a high vantage point. The floor is covered in a light brown wood grained surface that appears to be a laminate of planks. In the lower portion of the photograph is clothing neatly folded in stacks on boxy wood display. The clothing consists of mostly folded denim jeans in light blue and gray in the foreground, with various shirts and tops on the level below. Between the displays an aisle is visible and several customers are seen looking at racks of hanging clothes on modular racks along the wall. In addition to clothes several styles of shoes are displayed on the racks. The racks consist of black metal frames with wood shelving and black metal hanging bars. Suspended from the ceiling are arrays of black metal trusses, light fixtures and sound equipment. This infrastructure looks to be original to the building and helps establish a modern urban tone. The ceilings are white panels with linear recessed lighting arrays. Large windows are visible across the back of the retail space, revealing another storefront beyond with people visible inside. The shot captures the organized yet plentiful array of clothing and shoe products on display and contributes to the overall aesthetic of the brand.
Discreetly trying to take a picture in the Bershka store while waiting for my friends

I felt very out of place, and only part of this was because I am 5’10” and white. More so was the fact that I was wearing field clothes and hiking boots in this store full of very fashionably dressed people. I really had no interest in buying any of the clothes here or the money to buy them. So I hung around awkwardly, waiting for my friends, trying not to get in other people’s way, and feeling like “Why in the world am I here?”

It was just the kind of uncomfortable, out-of-my-comfort-zone feeling that I was expecting to have in Ecuador. Just, not in the way I thought it would happen. That was when I first began to think that maybe, encountering a “new culture” wasn’t just limited to my interactions with Ecuadorians.

Some other examples of experiences out of my norm…

Studying in Coffee Shops

The interior space of a stylish cafe is depicted in a full, eye-level shot. Warm lighting and earthy tones dominate the scene, contributing to a cozy ambiance. The cafe is furnished with dark blue cushioned chairs featuring a wooden frame, surrounding wooden tables. The floor is covered with wooden planks, adding to the rustic charm of the space. In the background, a person can be seen working on a laptop at a counter near large windows. The walls and pillars are adorned with vertically stacked wooden planks. A sign marked "AFORO" is visible on one of the pillars, alongside an "ECU 911" logo. The ceiling is a noteworthy feature, completely covered with a green foliage-like material. Hanging from the ceiling are unique light fixtures made of wood and rope. The lights cast a warm glow, illuminating the interior. A refrigerator filled with colorful beverages stands near the service counter. Part of the bar counter is also visible with decorations. The overall design aesthetic leans towards a blend of natural and modern elements, creating a welcoming and aesthetically pleasing environment.
Mantis Loja Coffee, one of our regular study spots

Now, I do enjoy going to coffee shops at home, but it’s mostly for a good conversation over an LJ’s muffin. I rarely would do schoolwork at coffee shops. That is until I came to Ecuador! Now, meeting up to do group work at Mantis or CafeLab is a regular occurrence.

Eating at McDonald’s

A bright, medium-shot captures the interior of a McDonald's restaurant, featuring a table and chairs as the primary focus with other restaurant elements visible in the background. In the foreground, a long, communal table is positioned, surrounded by high-backed chairs or stools. A person stands to the right of the table, partially obscuring the view. On the table, there is McDonald’s food, a bottle of water, napkins, and table numbers. Backpacks and bags are scattered under the table, suggesting a busy environment. To the left, a red McDonald's banner stands out. The banner displays text in Spanish, advertising weekend activities from 15:00 to 18:00, including face painting, fun games, and coloring pages. Behind the table, the wall is covered with white tiles. The words "HAMBURGUESAS DELICIOSAS" are spelled out in large, dark letters against the tiled backdrop. Above the tiled wall, fluorescent lighting illuminates the space. In the background, extending from the right side, is a glimpse of the McDonald's service area with the McCafe branding. The area is brightly lit, with menu boards and service counters visible. The overall impression is of a functional, well-lit fast-food restaurant setting.
We piled all our luggage under the table. I’m sure we were a very entertaining sight for the other customers

When we got back from the Galápagos, we were hungry after a long day of traveling. What was the group craving? McDonald’s.

Was I craving McDonald’s? No, I was not. I don’t think I’ve been in a McDonald’s in literal years and had no particular desire to change that. But, with the group, I go!

A medium, eye-level shot shows the touchscreen of a McDonald's kiosk as a hand reaches out from the left to touch the screen. The screen is set in a yellow frame that houses a card reader and the Mc Cafe logo in black, calligraphic font. The screen is bright and features menu items such as Extra Pollo Big, McDuo, McFiesta, Triple con queso, McBacon, and Hambuguesa con Queso. The prices for each burger are listed to the side of each menu selection. In the upper-left corner is a promotional image featuring a chef holding a burger. To the right of this image is text in Spanish as well as menu options like Atrás and Bienvenido a MIBM. A white cardholder is attached to the right side of the kiosk with a card that has the black number 76 printed on it. On the left, a tanned arm reaches into to the frame to touch something on the kiosk screen. The arm has a beaded bracelet. The kiosk appears to be located inside a McDonald's, likely during the day.
Figuring out the high-tech ordering system
A hand holds a red McDonald's container of patacones. The container has the classic yellow golden arches logo, with a cardboard interior of yellow stripes. The tostones are unevenly stacked, fried to a golden crust, with a darker inner part. In the background, there is partial view of some McDonald's food. There is hamburger with part of the patty visible. Beyond that, the edge of a French fry container is visible. Back further, a McDonald's food tray contains a bottle of Aquafina water, with more receipts and napkins. The photo is taken on a wooden table, with the camera focused on the McDonald's container.
In Ecuador, McDonald’s serves patacones (fried plantains)! They still weren’t amazing though

I have to say, I was not impressed. My limp chicken sandwich was definitively the worst meal I’ve eaten in Ecuador so far. But, the food really seemed to hit the spot for the rest of my group, and I enjoyed getting to be a part of that.

Food = 3/10. Experience = 10/10

“Surfs Up” movie night

A low-angle interior shot shows a group of seven young people relaxing on a large mattress. The photograph is likely a selfie style as one of the people in the lower left-hand corner is cropped. Most of the group is positioned against a wall that features a large mural of an autumn scene with gold-hued trees and fallen leaves on the ground. The lighting in the room is soft, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. From front to back and left to right, the individuals are: one woman with short dark hair wears large clear glasses and a black shirt, smiling brightly and holding up a peace sign. Next to her, another woman with her hair pulled back in pigtails is also clearly seen, reclined on the mattress, wearing a gray hoodie. Further back, a woman with her hair back flashes a peace sign, while other people’s heads and shoulders can be seen in between. A girl with curly blonde hair is centered in the back row in a blue shirt stretched out on the mattress. To the right, two men are seen. One with long dark hair and a serious expression faces forward, while a man with red hair is dressed in a gray t-shirt and is absorbed in his phone. On the mattress in front of the group are a bowl with Western style scenes on it as well as an aquamarine water bottle. The mattress sits on top of a dark wood platform bedframe. The mural on the wall behind the group extends the scene of golden leaves and trees. The photograph captures a moment of casual camaraderie and relaxation.
How many SIT students can you fit into one bed?

Later that night, we all squished into one student’s room to watch “Surfs Up”. Watching movies with friends is also not a norm for me (that is, unless it’s octopus documentaries with my friend Madelynn!) mostly because a 2-hour movie can feel like a big time commitment in college. But, I have to say, it was really fun! 10/10 experience once again.

Playing poker

In a casually lit, indoor snapshot, four individuals are engaged in a friendly game of cards on a bed adorned with two distinct quilts, all set against a backdrop of yellow-painted walls which appear to be textured or stuccoed. The first quilt closest to the camera features a vibrant plaid pattern of green and beige with hints of orange. The second underneath is decorated with a floral motif and an accent red ruffled trim. Positioned on the first bed is a woman in a green long-sleeved shirt who is shown mid-shout, capturing a moment of excitement or surprise. To her right is a man, also in a long-sleeved olive shirt, deeply engrossed in the game as he examines his cards. To the extreme left, another individual is seen partially in a blue long-sleeve shirt. Scattered on the quilt in front of the man are Skip-Bo cards, indicating the game being played. A glimpse of someone else appears from below. In the background, a simple wooden headboard is visible. Above the headboard, a window with a floral-patterned curtain adds to the room's character. Adjacent to the window, a unique square mirror with decorative framing and miniature pots on the shelf provides a quirky touch. The wooden beams, the yellow walls and doorway contribute to the casual and cozy interior of the room.
We pushed three beds together in one of our homestays to make a “mega bed” to play poker on. To “bet”, we used skip-bo cards

During our most recent trip, we visited a rural community called Yungilla. While were were there, we got to participate in activities like making cheese, helping in the garden, and playing fútbol with the kids.

But, we also had a lot of free time….which we used to play poker.

I love card games, so this was a blast. But, it did feel a little like a missed opportunity to circle up with the other students, betting my life’s savings on skip-bo cards, when I’m in the middle of a rural Ecuadorian village. I’d much rather be getting some more time talking with community members, exploring the town, or helping with tasks. If I’m in Ecuador, I want to be in Ecuador, not doing the same things I could be doing US.

I am learning more to use the choices that I do have to take advantage of being here. Instead of always going to a shopping mall, for example, I choose to explore some of the smaller storefronts around my neighborhood, buy some snacks from street vendors, and pay my Claro bill at a little papeleria.

But, I’m also accepting that it’s fine to tag along with my group too. If my hope was to be exposed to a different culture than my own, that’s happening. For one, even these “American” experiences are still different because I’m in Ecuador. For example, the fact that McDonald’s serves patacones, or how it’s not uncommon for Ecuadorian young people to go clothes shopping with their parents.

But also, I’m getting a window into some of the experiences that are the norm for my cohort-mates, and many other American college students. And honestly, those experiences probably help me love my neighbors just as much, if not more, than interacting with Ecuadorian culture.

Ecuador lesson #7: Culture is not just tied to country; We all have different life experiences and norms. Moving beyond your norm can be strange, fun, and uncomfortable, and can happen in moments when you’re least expecting it.

¡Hasta luego!

-Megan

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