What Destroys Latin American Culture (No one will tell you about this)

As an Ecuadorian American I have heard about this through my Ecuadorian family and it has been the hardest to deal with. Although this can also be experienced In other parts of the world, I‘ve never experienced it so deeply rooted to the culture. Something else I’ve experienced culturally as a returned Ecuadorian who left at 8-1/2 years old and returned to retire here in Ecuador two years ago at 63, is the “returned syndrome,” which is when Ecuadorians treat “gringos” better than other Ecuadorians, last the returned Ecuadorian. It’s like the Ecuadorians feel that they have to cut our “returned” legs off, to bring us down to size, sort of speak, to show us we are no better than they are. It is quite daunting. At first I thought I was overly sensitive, until my gringo friends also were noticing and unprompted by me, point it out or mention it to me. I have other “returned Ecuadorians” who also experience it.

This is a video that desperately needed to be made. This is the reality of living here, both for Ecuadorians and for us expats living here. Thank you.

Everyone I’ve encountered in Mexico has been very friendly and helpful. I accidentally left my phone in an Uber and the guy went out of his way to get it back to me.

I so appreciate and respect your honesty. You’re 100% correct and until now, I never had a name for it. As someone who has lived and visited Ecuador many times, I have seen these examples many times. I can also attest to the fact that it also exists in Brazil where I have similarly lived and worked. Doesn’t make me appreciate these places any less but these insights help to explain dismaying behavior that we sometimes see. Thx you again, ace.

This is on point. As an Ecuadorian, viveza criolla is the only thing I hate about my country, no wonder why we have so much corruption- it’s rooted in the culture. Latinos complain all the time about our corrupt politicians but can’t see that they’re just a reflection of us. I have very strong principles that don’t go with Ecuadorian culture, for example, I would never ever bribe a cop, like most people do in Ecuador (I really mean it when I say MOST people do that) I even moved to Europe because of this, NOT because of the crime!

I lived in Manta, Lima, and I'm in Medellin right now. Whenever I see a motorcycle on the sidewalk, I say it out loud. "If you don't like my driving...Stay off the sidewalk." I lived on Flavio Reyes across the street from the park, and people would drink at the park all night and play their music with no regard for the people sleeping who had to work the next day. I would lose it at 4am

WOW, Excellent teaching, I love your definition of “viveza criolla” rooted in your American/Ecuadorian life experience. Few people talks about it, and I understand their reasons. I have studied cultural anthropology, sociology, psychology in Ecuador as well as in the states and I never heard from any of my professors about the “viveza criolla”

Thanks for publishing this with Spanish subtitles Ace! Excellent video! I'm like # 238.

Wow. I appreciate your sharing openly. I hope my time in Ecuador this year will be ok.

This is a good talk for so many aspects of life. Good one Ace.

This is a very frank and honest explanation. Good job Ace. Just got back from two weeks in Ecuador and had an amazing time. We didn't make it to the coast, but I found that engaging in conversation and getting to know people really dispels a lot of the misconceptions and potential hazards. Thank you as always for all the effort you put into your work.

Im glad you are talking about this. I’m Ecuadorian-American and this is something that is rampant in our culture and in Latin America as a whole. What’s worse is many immigrants bring that same frame of mind to the countries they migrate to when that’s one of the problems of their countries of origin to begin with. Great vid, Ace! Saludos desde NYC! I’m subscribed!

Excellent. Thank you

Great video . All this is so true .

I use the words "Reliable Corruption". It's how we get anything done. This is also a "favor" economy which is how we make and keep "friends in good places". Great video, brilliant.

"viveza criolla" just seems like a romantic way of saying "selfish, rude and inconsiderate to others". Whether it's being late, playing music while people are sleeping, driving fast through a neighborhood, or cutting in line...

Thanks a million GM Ace.... Haven't seen you for a while in here but, what I just hear you say now is, what I've experienced in many European countries as well.. I think it has more to do with humanity than nationality.. Many years ago, I did a job in Osló, Norway and, I was there for roughly 6 Months.. I met this Brazilian guy and we spoke about our differences and similarities in our countries. - Before we finished our talk, we had come to the agreement, that most of our experience is very much the same and, we are all raised to believe things about our countries which often, are more lies than truths.. I could write a novel about this dear Ace but, I prefer to travel to the countries I find interesting instead and, I know I'll find out on my way, what I like and what I don't like.. ❤️❤️❤️ Thanks a lot for sharing and, I still look so much forward to Ecuador and all her people 🤗🌹

Wow, thanks for putting a name to what I’ve observed in my almost two years of residency in EC. Still enjoying EC and just appreciate life as it is here.

This has been happening for a very long time but like you said it has never been talk about. Great video Ace. Can you update on how things are in Ecuador. Is it ok to visit now?

Acknowledging the problem is the first step toward the solution. Thanks for your brutal honesty!