WHY LOCALS HATE FOREIGNERS! 😫 

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I am Ecuadorian and when I have been visiting the United States I realize that there are things that are better in Ecuador and others that are better in the United States, and that should also happen to the Americans who live in Ecuador; but, in the end, it is not that one country is better than the other, but different, and people must respect and adapt to the lifestyle and culture of the country they live or visit. I believe that Ecuadorians and Americans can learn and get the best out of each people and build better human beings from that synergistic force.

So on POINT, not just for Ecuador but for all countries that expats end up in! we have a home in Antigua Guatemala & I'm on the FB "expat" groups there & I hear almost everyone of the points you made, with the "entitled comments" all the time. Very frustrating to be a part of that & embarrassing to be seen that way by locals....but "expat stereotypes" exist for a reason. Recent Case in point--our house is an airbnb when we are not in Guatemala. We just had some gringos stay & they left everything clean (they live in Guatemala City), but left a teapot & wanted to get it back. I told them my cleaning lady could meet up with them, & gave them her number. They reached out & expected her to make a trip to my house & retrieve the teapot & not give her anything monetarily. I told them she doesnt live in Antigua, & would have to make a trip on a bus to do them the FAVOR---then they arranged for her to take it when she was cleaning my house to a local coffee store in Antigua--they had the store owner give her a "free" cup of coffee. That is entitlement. What would it have hurt to give her $5 or $10 dollars in quetzales for her trouble. That's why locals don't like gringos--entitlement/superiority, whatever you want to call it, it's shameful & hurtful.

In Mexico they are angry with all the U.S. and Canadians driving up prices! Never seen so many in Mexico!

So many great points. When I decided to emigrate to Ecuador I started taking Spanish lessons on Skype with a native Ecuadorian and I am so glad I did. I recently visited Ecuador and even though I was a beginner I would talk to everyone I met. In three weeks I was amazed on how much I understood and could hold conversations with the people. I would tell them I am practicing and they would talk to me about their families and ask me questions, I would ask them questions. It made my trip fantastic. Everyone appreciated the fact that I was learning their language. Someone explained it to me like this: expats are the people who never intend to be immersed in the culture. Immigrants do intend to become part of the society they have chosen to live in.

Numbers 7, 8, and 9 about prices and living in a bubble apply to many situations, not just expats (especially US expats) living in other countries. Every US neighborhood that experiences gentrification faces exactly the same problems. People come in to buy cheap. The area becomes trendy, attracting more people from outside the neighborhood who have no connection with local values and lifestyles. Prices for everything are driven up to the point that long term residents of the area can no longer afford to live there. The increase in property prices also drives up property taxes. The new people in the area who are bringing the gentrification don't associate with the long term residents. They associate only with people who share their interests. They encourage replacement of long term local businesses that provided a livelihood for the area to be replaced by more trendy businesses, restaurants, and product offerings. Then, they complain when the long term residents try to resist the incursion by outsiders.

Great show. The irony, the same positions that get you labeled racist and intolerant in the USA is the same position citizens of other countries have about immigrants to their country as well.

You couldn't say BETTER!!!!! Thank you for emphasizing on the EXPATS being cocky, and LOVE what you guys said: IF YOU DON"T LIKE THE CULTURE GO HOME!!!! GO the freaking back to your home. I lived in 5 different countries, and I NEVER, NEVER hanged out with Latin people, because I wanted to experience and integrate myself fully into the culture. RESPECT others the same way you want to be respected. Ignorant people have tendency to feel superior to make their selves feel better. My father always used to say: Be HUMBLE, and RESPECTFUL always, it doesn't matter how much money you have, ALWAYS BE HUMBLE, and RESPECTFUL!!! 💗

I’m in Colombia. My biggest problem is that the news media publishes the exchange rate of pesos per dollar. I married into a relatively poor family and everyone is pissed that I get all this retirement money and now it’s almost double what it was last year. They look for ways to get me to pay their bills and errors in judgement. I tell them that the Bank of Ed is closed. The Coronavirus situation was different.

Totally agree. Thanks for sharing. We see all these things daily here in Costa Rica where we retired to. It's sad and sickening how foreigners act here and their high expectations. We don't hang around other Foreigners we have all local friends and live in local neighborhood. Our locals can't afford rent anymore because of the high increase of everything because of foreigners. It is extremely sad to us watching this happen here

I always thought the FUN in travelling is to LEARN about other cultures, their countries and language!

Expats and people in general show their true colours when travelling or living in a country to which they feel they are superior to the local citizens.

I'm from Ecuador, and I love watching your videos. I don't live in Ecuador anymore, but I always appreciate your videos! Gracias. 😊

Anyone who is perceived to have more money is perceived to "act superior". This is a universal human trait.

I agree with everything you have saiid. I purposefully stayed away from Gringoland in Cuenca so that I could immerse myself into the community. I met an Expat couple who had lived in Cuenca for 6 years and could only speak the basics. I got to know my local Tienda owners and patronized them regularly and saw my prices go down during my 6 month stay significantly. 😊 My philosophy is, “their country, their rules”.

Some people just have an entitlement attitude no matter where they go.

Thanks millions!! All of this is more than true and, one of my major reasons for planning to travel around Ecuador, when I finally arrive there in a few years. My wish to retire in Ecuador, comes from 1. A very old promise I made to myself when I, as a teenager, wrote an essay about the Amazonas and, the people who live there and, when I finished my essay, I just knew I have to get to know this place and the people there and, knew this should be the place I want to spend the last 3rd of my life and, we're getting very close now and, I can barely wait. There is this "something" - especially about the indigeneous people and, their lifestyle, knowledge and all their different languages and, belief in nature, I just so much, want to learn much more about so, I might end up very close to these people - if they want me around that is. Language wise - yes absolutely!! I will learn Spanish before I arrive and, I've heard rumors, Loja is a very good city in which, one can learn the - according to some Ecuadorians - the "Real" Ecuadorian Spanish so, off I will é to Loja to get my language up to speed - accompanied by the local coffee, chocolate and off course a lot of bananas 🤗 I never thought I would ever look forward to retirement but, here I am, almost counting minutes 🤗 Gracias, Gracias for sharing 💕❤️💕🌹🌹🌹

Greatly important information. It is how so many countries feel about "foreigners" now. And, certainly understandable. Thank you for this one. Coming in February.

These comments apply to Mexico also, from what I have gleaned from other channels. I hope to immigrate to Mexico one day and I intend to embrace the new culture, which is one of the main reasons I would like to move there. Thank you for reminding gringos in any other than their home country to not take advantage of the locals or try to turn their new countries into the place they left.

i know when a mexican family moved into my small town i became a lot more friendly when they flew the american flag.if they want to be part of us i say welcome

Outstanding advice. You hit every nail on its head. These are excellent points for all of us to remember, whether we intend to move to another country or we are just visiting for a short period.

I have to say you guys are GREAT ambassadors of your country. You are respectful to people, you are culturally sensitive and you even teach your fellow US Americans to do that. So, once again, you're doing a great job. I imagine the ecuatorianos like you a lot :D

You guys are absolutely right about learning the local language. It is of utmost importance and it will open so many doors to you, no matter where you go. I will tell you a bit of my personal experience when I decided to leave my country for the USA and it had to do with the time I spent reading English literature and researching whatever I could find about the nation I was adopting as my new home. The time and effort paid off ten times over. I have known plenty of people who have lived decades in this country and they refuse to speak any English at all. That is beyond my comprehension. When in Rome be a Roman, if not for you, do it out of respect and gratefulness for the country that opened up its doors to you.

Always such great information, thank you Amelia and JP for taking your time to educate the rest of us.

I feel the lesson is to be a guest the host would love to invite back. Wherever we are from we are making an impression, so lets make it a great one😊

Thank you for being so honest and direct. It is important to share these 10 points. Gracias

You guys are sweet and magnanimous. I am not. 11 months in Cuenca. Roughly 80 percent of the long term Anglo transplants I have had interactions with are of the ilk I moved here to escape. If I wanted bad attitude I would have stayed put. I might be unlucky in whom I've meet, but it' been several hundreds. I practice Spanish everyday. After 11 months I get by. I am complimented on my efforts, eagerness to learn, and welcomed by locals. I ask to be corrected if I mispronounce, am unclear, or use the wrong words in the wrong context. I end interactions happily admitting I will be screwing up local slang for many years to come. Tranquillo Mateo. Poco a poco, combined with a genuine warm smile is a typical response. Yet "expert-pats" that have lived here for years immediately and quite dismissively call me a "newbie". Same individuals have made zero to little effort to learn Spanish and run in groups like junior high students. God forbid they actually wade into the myriad of nuances of this unique, beautiful, simple, fulfilling culture. Many pronounce "thank you" , after a decade or more here, "Grassy Azz". OMG. Yeah. It can be embarrassing alright. To any nice kind folks that are seriously thinking about moving to a foreign country. Do yourselves, and everyone else, a favor. Study the language and culture. When in Rome do as the Romans do. If you love your countries dogma's and are not willing to adapt. Do all involved, including yourself, a favor. Stay put please. Pretty please.

Excellent video! All of the reasons are the same here in Mexico. I live in a barrio where I am the only expat. And there is only one, maybe two, locals who speak English, so it is difficult language wise to communicate. My Spanish is coming along very slowly. But I always greet them and they do the same for me. I cannot tell you how many conversations I have had with me speaking English and them speaking Spanish. At least I hope so! Somehow a general misunderstanding of the topic gets conveyed and we part smiling and in good spirits. AMy one neighborhood bilingual friend helps me out tremendously as I will pay him to interpret for me more serious matters. On many occasions I will go sit with him at a booth he sets up to sell items. This allows me to meet and have limited friendly conversations with my many neighbors. This way we get to know each other. My friend told me that my neighbors really appreciate that I would do this. I have also gone into many of their homes during Dia de los Muertos to view their family altars. While I am failing miserably at learning Spanish, there is so much more that we can do to show ourselves as being good neighbors.

#8 happened to me when I was in Turkey. I was so sure the cab drivers were robbing me that I fought them big time...until I did the conversion and realized I was paying them almost nothing. They have high gas prices, yet the currency exchange rate is terrible.

When I live some years ago in a western European country I did all these positive things. I learned the language and I hung out often with the locals instead of with Americans, then also helped with language learning. Also offered to help them with any English learning they wanted to do an exchange. I enjoyed shopping for different foods and all the other wonderful hikes and bicycling I could do in my temporary new country. Unfortunately it was too expensive to stay there so after my work ended I returned the United States.

Such a good video guys thank you!

We are in Mexico now for 2 months checking out to live here and agree with everything you said 100 percent. You think you study Spanish then you get here and you don't know a thing about the language. haha, they have been very kind. We get that within the united states, there is a huge culture war raging and it makes us angry when everything about our culture is changing. Don't go to another country to leave the culture war in your home country and do the same thing to the lovely people in your new country. That is just crazy. Thank you and great video, always get a like from me.

Thanks, once again to Amelia & JP for your assistance and opinions regarding life in a new country. Much of what you've stated here might also apply to better behavior when one is a guest in another land. Only recently have I made the decision to start my life outside of the USA as a resident. That being said, for the last 4 decades I have had positive experiences during extended stays overseas. I've utilized the same approaches that you have stated here. I'm glad that you bring up language first. Whenever I leave the USA, I have made it a point to familiarize myself with language, culture, and customs elsewhere. Language is indeed helpful, but understanding and respecting how others live, and what is important to them, is an added bonus. We Americans come from an informal society of individuals. It should be expected that elsewhere, this is not the case. Start out with formality and respect the rights of others. Whether I'm in Europe, Latin America, or elsewhere, I did my very best not to be loud and obnoxious. I always was respectful and had an interest in things relevant to the host country and culture. (Frequently, people have assumed that I was from a country other than the USA, for these reasons, for the most part.) If expats drive up the prices, then it might behoove the immigrant to contribute constructively to society in a manner which is harmonious to their adopted land. No matter where you go, it is essential to have a grasp of their laws, and that it would be expected that these laws be followed. One thing which seems to be okay at home, but a no-no elsewhere is to be flashy and ostentatious as perhaps a celebration of one's success &/or status. Believe me, none of that goes well elsewhere, and it might make one more susceptible to being a victim of crimes like robbery. These points might be common sense to some, but again, thanks for sharing your views.

FYI. If you become a citizen in Ecuador, you have to vote. People who do not get fine. I think is in their constitution. You can not get away from not voting. Please check if this is right. So if it is, you must do so. Americans who become citizens of Ecuador have to change their view about voting or pay.

Here in the states yea I've heard a few crappy people say "learn English", but what I don't like is the idea that our politicians under threat of "racism" going out of the way to accommodate non-English speakers! Like DMV manuals ect...............America must accommodate, but every other country must be respected of their language, and culture. 🙄

Spot on. The two of you are invariably polite and respectful though -- and you're fast learners -- so you're very likely helping to improve the image of Americans abroad (in Ecuador anyway). You are the first YT channel I ever subscribed to, back when I first began looking at Ecuador as a possible future home. It was some years ago when your subscribers were in the hundreds! When Amelia said something about "Click that bell" I did it; never even knew of the existence of YT notifications before that. Keep doing what you do, and all the best for the holiday season.

Fantastic Video! Thank you so much for being so real and honest about adapting to the culture that you move to. It is sooo rude, disrespectful and cruel to not adapt to the culture that you decide to move to.

Another point about learning the language, as you (Amelia and JP) have pointed out in other videos, there are certain nuances to Ecuadorian Spanish, such as adding "-ito" "-ita" to the end of words. One of the first vids I watched of yours had Amelia pointing this out and how it could be a bit confusing, until you learn the rhythm of it. But learning how to use it (and other nuances) successfully would seem to go a long way with assimilating into the Ecuadorian culture. And I'm sure the Ecuadorian folks would be a bit more tolerant about one's attempt to learn, not just THE language, but their specific (to whatever city you're in) language and accent. I've seen comments and articles about Spanish in Cuenca being different than Spanish in, say Guayaquil. The effort will likely go a long way.

Great to see you guys. You look great. Thank you for the info!

Spot on was the brits say, the good news most don't last beyond three years.

You two provide consistently helpful information. On the point about negotiating/bargaining about prices, I feel this could be a short video on its own. It would be helpful to know which goods and services where prices are posted or publicly available, and which are negotiable. That would help to navigate the line between not overpaying and not being insulting.

Sounds like how we feel in a Florida with New Yorkers and Californians coming here!

Thank-you for emphasizing "make an effort to learn the language ". That's the key. You and all the good vloggers say the same thing! Gracias 😀

It's ironic that every statement and point you make would be considered xenophobia and racist, especially as applied to Muslims, if you were in the US and talking about immigrants, especially as regards assimilation and learning the language. BTW, the person who asked if he could overstay his Visa was pointing out that in the US half of all illegal immigrants have overstayed their Visa. And Gringo is not a term of endearment. Finally the nation of Ecuador could pass pricing laws making it illegal to have two different price schedules. Everything you have said applies in Portugal as well.

Great Tips. I sure didn’t know about #1. Thanks

Thank you for these simple steps to adjusting to a new culture. You two are great ambassadors for America and a great help to Americans on how to avoid our worst tendencies.

Good points. I've lived in 4 countries (besides the US, my home country) and all the points these people made are true. I live in a small town community and of course this means that what I do is likely to be known by most people in the area, especially if I behaved badly. One absolute rule for me is that if I am around other foreigners and they start the smug arrogant crap, I get away from them as fast as possible. Generally, I stay away from other foreigners, which isn't difficult since most of them are boring and quite frankly I'm not very sociable anyway. I don't drink alcohol so I am not the ideal guest for many people (including some locals). One big issue for me is that I'm partially deaf (or maybe I should say hearing impaired or something like that) and dealing with language is a problem. I have no interest in explaining myself. The only person that I have told here is the one fellow that does some work for me (he's a good friend) and since he is related to half the small town I live in it is possible that other people know it. Anyway, it is a big annoyance but it was a big annoyance before I moved here, not much to do about it. I do manage to communicate but usually people think that I don't know vocabulary but in fact I just can't understand what they say because I only hear parts of it. Anyway, I'm not really here, or anywhere to be popular, I am here because I want my family to have a better life and they are. My kids are all fluent in Spanish (besides 2 other languages) and they have lots of friends, eat healthy food, breathe clean air, don't live in a war mongering country, live by the sea,,,,,,

Folks, it is all about proper assimilation! No matter where, locals like to be respected by foreigners who fall into step with the culture. Plain and simple. Everything on Amelia and JP's list is why Spaniards in Costa del Sol get annoyed with some of the Brits who vacation and retire there. The same applies to some folks from Cali who relocate to Texas When anyone goes to a foreign land (whether it is a state or country) and they do not assimilate, they are being pompous blow hards, in my opinion. I will never forget the time I visited the Eastern Band Cherokee Nation in NC and was told by the tribal police to never film or photograph the Natives in their homes. Yes, you read that correctly. Some egregious vacationers visited the reservation and knocked on the Native Americans' doors and when they answered, cell phones were put into their faces and the footage ended up on social media. Sadly, the intruders pushed their way into the homes of the elderly Native Americans to get footage of the inside of their homes. Some vacationers showed up intoxicated, chanting derogatory sayings towards the Native Americans. Also, vacationers were harassing the women, even following them home. Several arrests and banishments had been done in the weeks before my visit. Just alarming.

I have been following your informative videos for a long time and I think this is one of your best videos! I hope that your msg is noted by all viewers. Thank you. Dave

I feel the same about legal and illegal foreigners in America that do all things you mention here. So I have compassion.

LOVE this video! Finally, someone called out a lot of the arrogance & problems that happens and, is sometimes caused by, foreigners in foreign countries. One of the things that really irks me is when people disrespect the religious/sacred icons & places in foreign countries. Bad mouthing a Royal in some countries will land you in jail and, yet, I hear people disrespecting Royals in many countries. Not cool...

Such a great content!!! Respect!

This video is simply great advice for how to be a better human in an increasingly culturally mixed world. Went to France 3 yrs ago. Being western Canadian we understand a bit of French, but don't speak much. But we tried our best and behaved respectfully, and found nearly every interaction to be pleasant.

every Californian exiting their state, should be required to watch this video when they move to their new state.

Y’all are wise, diplomatic and genuine. I’m sure you agonize over many things your audience will never realize, because you are so gracious. This is why I joined your community, even though I may never make it to Ecuador.

Having lived overseas for 19 years, mostly in SE Asia, I’m used to being overcharged everywhere I go that they see my white face. My Indonesian wife insists that I don’t go to the market (pasar) alone, but bring her, at least once, so they know they’re dealing with someone who understands the prices. This happened in Ghana when I was there, as well as Indonesia, and Malaysia and Singapore. Supermarkets are fine because they have posted prices for everything, but open air market and hawker center food stalls regularly get what they can from me, and that’s the consensus among my “gringo” friends (There are other names for us here) So it seems a bit oxymoronic to blame us simultaneously for driving up prices and wanting everything cheap. It’s the exploitation of our lack of knowledge which is driving that phenomenon!

I totally agree, and I am glad you brought it up and would love to see more content from You Tubers to educate expats and digital nomads to not over pay fair market value. This really hurts the locals, and drives them away to other locations; we basically drive them away. I see so many foreigners over paying for rent, this situation is out of control.

Great video with important information

That is the reason I dont want to go to central or south America

Most of this list is accurate for where I have been. I never really traveled as a tourist. Long before there AirBnB there were old women waiting at train stations to offer a room and meal to travelers in many countries. I only went to hotels a few times in my 92 countries, usually, if I was with a girlfriend who expected a tourist experience but I prefer renting a cottage or flat for going rate for 1-3 months and get to know the culture by engaging in it directly. I have never had a problem and very often neighbors would find I was a foreigner and did not speak their language they went out of their way to interact. I moved out of the US completely 22 years ago and moved to St Petersburg Russia and have loved every bit of it. So the much better quality of life and personal freedom than the US. I was pretty successful in my main career and a lot of advantages but having a lot of things ends up owning someone. I was too busy supporting things to use them such as houses or an airplane and a large collection of collector cars, ranch, etc. And worked just to support them and only felt free with a backpack into the wilderness or some foreign country. I gave everything way and moved with 2 suitcases of all the wrong closes...14 suits that only one was used once for a wedding, and $6000. I knew the city and culture after many-months of visits but it is different when arriving with no return ticket or money enough to buy one. I live as a Russian, started businesses, all my friends are locals, and luckily most are women of all ages. When people hear me they realize I am American they want to practice English with a native speaker. All the kids begin learning English in 2nd grade. The low cost of living and low cost of services is a perfect match for my low income. I have far more friends than I ever had when I was at my peak of influence and wealth, many people, particularly women tried to get next to me assuming I could open doors for them in careers or simply shower them with money and fine things. Only a few were actual friends. Here, I meet so many interesting talented, creative well educated well-traveled people who are normal, friendly, and open. I do not ever having an argument or problem. If I was in trouble or needed help I know I could count on dozens of people who would rush to assist. I do not ask however because I am known as a problem solver and focus on solving problems before they are actual problems. In the 90s when visiting there were a lot of Americans coming here to take advantage of the people, it was sickening to see so many low-ethics people converge on the changing society here to get an advantage. The knowledge talents, education, and social skills of these people even teens would embarrass Americans who think they are above everyone because they earn more. But they live a lot less and smaller.I never met a 10-year-old who did not have a good working knowledge of the arts, attended many operas or ballets or knew the detailed history of only theirs but other countries also. I have never seen a fight despite being a frequent visitor to pubs dance clubs and rock clubs, but also many of the 200 drama theaters, 250 world-class museums, 600 parks in this one city, 44 islands that make up the city, palaces and ornate classical architecture that caused it to be named the UN Unesco World Heritage site, the only city to be so named. Before covid there were millions of visitors every summer so the museums were crowded but the city was able to accommodate them well without problems. Since Covid we have the city back to pre-tour days. Generally, locals liked the tourists to come because it meant millions of people every summer learned that everything they are told about Russia is a total fabrication. Next June a new visa policy will open up allowing people from any country to visit visa-free for up to 6 months, so my main side job, of owning an incoming tour operator business that as been silent since the start of covid. I had 68 employees and we mostly provided small group and personal tours of history and culture for the thousands of people arriving by a cruise ship that stopped here 2 or 3 days as the main destination of their Baltic Sea cruise, If they were booked with us they had a visa-free entry. The cruise ships might not come back but so many from China, India, South America, SEA and the Middle East came, usually upper middle class. The licensed guides all were fluent in English it is the international travel language despite the few Americans traveling. Before Covid, the Chinese were the most active travelers to Europe and Russia, many times more than Americans, so the guides all started studying Mandarin. Many Chinese however speak English, about 400,000,000 which are mostly from the middle class, but the majority of travelers to Europe and Russia were working class. People who just 15 years ago were dirt poor and now vacation is a cultural destination and buy 1/3 of all cars sold in the world this year have going to working-class or middle class Chinese, and they pay cash from savings. It is amazing to see the transformation from poor to the most modern cities on earth in less than 15 years.. I am not really an immigrant since I have not applied for citizenship and only would if I was married...came close a few time;>) My advice for Americans, travel before it is too late. With the division of the world now between Europe+US+Canada+Australia+Japan in one world and a separate world of everyone else, and different money and banking systems and separate Internet and 80% of the world population, with independent trade systems, security, international unions such as separate versions of the UN, separate air space. Otherwise, you will never know what the other world was like. Right now all your information about China, India, Russia etc is a highly manipulated version that is not connected to reality. Outside the US, many people use the phrase Empire of Lies to mean North America. Decades ago before the intense propaganda in US-controlled media there was generally a favorable view of the US. After hundreds of regime change operations and war more and more populations want to move on.

I'm in the process of getting a long term residence visa in the Philippines, specifically an SRRV (Special Retirees Resident Visa) They are quite adamant that it is *NOT* any sort of immigrant visa. It doesn't put the holder on a citizenship track. It isn't even issued by the Bureau of Immigration. It is approved by them but administered through the Philippine Retirement Authority. I'm an aging moneybag leaking cash into the local economy, not an immigrant.

Thank you for making this video. These 10 issues are real and apply to other countries, including the Dominican Republic where I've lived for 12 years. 🙂

We are now living and working from our older RV (on a budget!) and currently here at Isla de la Piedra (Mazatlan) for a few months. We find little in common with the other RVers, in general since we are not "on vacation" and also not retired! We have found a few kindred spirits and also really enjoy (even with our limited Spanish) interacting with the locals... They help correct our Spanish and offer many insights and much help we would not otherwise have. BTW, look for an upcoming interview with me, Dawn, on Bill the Geek's RU-vid channel (now HE'S definitely a kindred spirit here in Mazatlan!) We have been in Mexico for a little over a month now and our brains explode almost on a daily basis but we are learning so much... I have not personally spoken any Spanish for over 30 years and wow...ya know. Really enjoy your channel. Mexico is our comfort zone but we've heard a lot of nice things about Ecuador. Perhaps some day we'll visit (fly in...not with the RV, haha)

A Mexican asked me why we are called "expats" and I said, "We X out the US and now we are Mexican". He loved it. I also don't speak Spanish other than "Lo siento, soy un estúpido Americano". They laugh and help me as just 2 humans.

This video is SO GREAT! My boyfriend’s family is from Ecuador and we’re considering moving there. Every single point you brought up is a conversation my boyfriend and I have had about Americans in Ecuador. Excellent, excellent video. Thank you for not just talking about $3 almuerzos. You are THE channel for Americans moving to Ecuador. One request: no one talks about “facturado, o consumidor final” and that was a big surprise that we couldn’t figure out until bf’s mom saved us, much to the barista’s frustration 😂

You're one of the kindest and insightful couples on RU-vid! And I don't even plan to emigrate elsewhere. Kudus to you and Merry Christmas.💙💯

I agree with you 100%. We have residency in Mexico. Although our Spanish isn't the best, we always try to use it even when we know the local might speak English. We always go with attitude that although we residency we are still guests in their country and act accordingly.

So well stated and on point with any country an American would visit. I worked on cruise ships for 5 years traveling the world and boy, what a mop in the face lesson that was regarding the entitlement and pure lack of real world education we Americans have been bred with and indoctrinated into!!! America is the greatest, most powerful, super country of the world with freedoms no one else has, best quality of life anywhere, blah blah blah!!! Once you get out into the real world you get a very real awakening to those lies and if you're human, humbled greatly!! No one place/person is better than another, it's just different and that's beautiful to me. That is what America was supposed to be, a melting pot of all cultures and yet somehow, it's become the place that everyone else is supposed to live up to??? Seems like an experiment gone wrong and maybe why we Americans are on the verge of loosing our country...what is OUR culture that is keeping us together???

When I was a teenager, way back in the 70's, the school I was in organised an educational cruise around the eastern Mediterranean. This include visiting Egypt. There, everybody haggles over the prices of everything. We were told that the first thing to say, when trying to get the price down, was "I am not an American" and that would instantly knock a large chunk off the price. Your reputation for paying whatever outlandish price the locals ask goes back a long way.

Sadly, these reasons are the same in reverse, in Vancouver. Why over the last 30 years, locals have been leaving. I’ve dated a few immigrant women, (not the older resident integrated ones). They call the rest of us, foreigners. In our own country.

I've seen NO issue with 'locals' while living in Mexico (Morelia). The locals are gracious, well mannered, loving. It's disgenerous to claim that expats are 'hated.' I'm American and my wife is Mexican. We've never been scammed or overcharged. If people follow the laws, and mind your business, all will be good. I've never described myself as an expat, I've been made to feel like a member of the community. I have a lot of extended family with my wife, and it's been a blessed experience. Maybe, we just hang out with some better people. The Mexican culture owes us nothing, and I'm glad we can contribute.

Driving up prices! I was speaking with a native of Provincetown, MA, some years ago, of Portugee roots, whose family was there for over a hundred years, since when Ptown was a hole in the cape. Now his family can hardly make ends meets because of the New York, Boston, New Haven sophisticates who have a second home there. The second-homers, driving out the only-homers.

You guys hit the nail on the head. Being cocky instead of becoming one with the people. I've lived 50 years in 7 latin american countries so I have a good idea on how they think. Enjoy the uniqueness and there's a lot to learn about everything.

I immigrated to my ancestral homelands in the Czech Republic more than three years ago. Unfortunately Czech is a very difficult language. I can read and write it much better than I can speak and listen to it, even after three years of steady effort. Still, people appreciate me trying. Additionally, I will continue to learn the language at least until I reach sufficient proficiency to pass the language test to become a citizen. I will likely continue to steadily learn the language better after that, as well.

My advice to monolingual expats is to study the language BEFORE you make a move to the country! As a linguist who speaks five languages I know that it takes years to learn a new language. The best thing is to study in your country for at least 2-3 years. You need to make an investment of time and money taking language courses in person, as it’s not just grammar and vocabulary. You also must learn about the history, traditions and culture. In addition, online courses may help. Americans get a bad reputation as they lack general knowledge of World Geography, World History and Foreign Languages. The school systems don’t invest much time nor money in these subjects. Most expats do live in a bubble and it’s a shame!

Excellent points!

Funny how pretty much all of these apply to people coming to the USA as well.

It is the same here. The Spanish speaking immigrants should learn English - but so many don't. It is hard for many adults to learn a new language.

You two are special, sensible people. Cheers!

Very smart video. Thanks.

Hey Amelia and JP, happy holidays to both of you and hope that this message finds you well and enjoying life as is apparent with your videos. I have a question for both of you. I have international health coverage and needing to know if repatriation or accidental death is a requirement for my Visa. If so what company would you recommend? Really my health insurance covers all I need however does not cover repatriation nor accidental death outside of the U.S. Thank you both....😀

I fell in love with Mexico to the point I have moved here and I don't want to be around other folks from the U.S. Where I live I don't think there are any, you can spot them by the way they dress and walk.. I dress like my neighbors I try to speak only Spanish. I try to use all the mannersms I pay the going rate for my apartment I make as many friends as I can. I sell in the local flea market. this is the 1st english I have used in over a year. That is how much I love and respect my new countrymen. Great job getting the information out! Thank you for thinking like I do.

Great video!! I was going to make a video about #1 bc it is a double standard. Amelia, your hair is looking extra cute!

Wow! Good point on the prices thing. I was originally thinking yeah pay the higher price if you can afford it, but what you had to say makes a whole lot of sense. Definitely better for the community.

Everything you shared goes for Mexico too. Gringo can be a term of endearment here too. Not following the rules is so true. I was shocked to discover how many illegal immigrants live in Mexico. 😮

Like moving to Vermont but enormously more. Accept it as it is, blend, embrace, understand that *you* are the stranger and absorb it all. Great video, thanks!

That was a great segment, not that all your content isn't really good, but that was extraordinary.

Great vid!! I never thought of myself as an "immigrant" but that is what I am here in my home. TY

I lived ten years a snow bird in Cuenca and Vilcabamba. Right On! you are echoing my experience. I think you've convinced me to fly south and stay a couple of weeks. I am today in the frozen north since June '19 for the most common reason...family responsibility compounded by the Covid lockdown. Thanks for a fair honest and candid description of your learning curve. Ecuadorians are great people and they respond to respect and disrespect as anyone in the world does. And, my language advice....make learning a game, not a chore! and, get the pronunciation right. Nail it. From the words they can figure out what you are trying to say, but only if the pronunciation is close enough.

Thank you, Amelia And JP! @2:47 you talked about paying the going rate for houses, or you'd otherwise drive up the prices for locals. As you know, we have the same problem in Colorado, because Californians come and pay cash for more than the asking price. Do you have a rule of thumb for the (ballpark) percentage of the asking price we should figure for a first offer on a house? Does that percentage vary, in places that have fewer expats? Thank you!

Sweet! We recognized Wilson with Polyepsis Tours in your video. He was an excellent guide!! 😍

I lived a season in Croatia and got the distinct feeling that we were not overly welcome. Everyone was nice, but there was an underlying feeling that they would be happier if we were not there. I never want to be in a place where I feel I am not welcome. I would move on for sure.

Merry Christmas!

And in Canada were supposed to love immigrants and we're called racist.

I actually was in Olon walking on the beach and I saw you two in 2020. We both said hola to each other. Coincidentally, when I returned home, one of your videos came on my RU-vid feed and I said to myself, no way that’s them! Surprise, it definitely was! I’ve been watching your videos ever since and Ecuador is a place I’m thinking about moving to in a few years. In any case, wanted to tell you I enjoy your videos and Feliz Año Nuevo!

Yes. But it is very doubled edged. Many Immigrants to the United States find their own expat communities where the don’t need English to get by.

The last time I was in Ecuador, this past May/June, I was surprised that liquor, beer, and wine was priced as high as it was…more or less on par with US prices. Our rental car was quite expensive, too. I remember prices being much, much lower 10 years ago.

Super Video! You expressed everything so well and after seeing this video no one has any excuse to offend or diminish local people in ANY country anymore. Behave yourself and mind your manners....simple, no?

Your BEST video yet!! 🎉

I've used Babbel for revision of French since I often spend my holidays in France (only seven hours away from my house by car). I would definitely recommend it. As a longtime language learner (Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian) , and a teacher of EFL, I find that Babbel meets most of my requirements in a language-learning app. One app I would not recommend is Duolingo, as it is not only monotonous, has often non-sensical sentences, voices are computer generated, and is translation-based. It is free but I would much rather pay a modest monthly charge and study with Babbel.