What´s Your Status? And No, I´m Not Talking About Facebook...

It´s weird to start something with a side note, but side note: Panama Hats are not from Panama. They are from Ecuador. And Ecuadorians are very confused and annoyed about this mix-up.

When I talked about how wealth distribution is very poorly done here, I didn´t yet realize another effect this has on the culture and that is class struggle. Class and status is HUGELY important here and this makes for interesting conversation. Keeping the right image is a constant effort by Cuencanos, even in their own house. Here are some simple guidelines to maintaining a good image here in Cuenca:

1. One should never shut the door, especially if they bring a friend over. This would send a very bad message to mom and dad.

2. One should never leave the house as a women without being completely made up, which actually looks much like how women do in the states when we go out for New Years.

3. One should never admit to listening to hip-hop. This is trashy.

4. One should never admit to listening (and enjoying) reggaeton. This is also trashy.

5. One should never kiss anyone they aren´t dating while in a bar. This will circulate throughout the city before you even leave said bar.

6. One must never neglect to greet (with a kiss on the cheek) anyone when they are around other people. Even if you are complete strangers. This will cause severe tension and will make you very much regret not saying hello.

7. One must eat pizza with a fork and knife.

8. One must always respond to a compliment by giving one in return.

9. One must be successful but not too successful or else people will think you are too good for them.

10. One must enjoy kareoke.

Granted, most of these are all guidelines if you are in your 20´s, but that is what I have been exposed to, so that is what I have learned. But follow these rules and at least you won´t offend anyone.

Maybe one day with better distribution Ecuador will experience less discrimination and thus less of a divide between classes and thus less stress on status. It makes me very sad to hear people in the 21st century say "Don´t spend time with that person. They are low class." It´s understandable that people naturally want to associate with people they feel are "good people" but this really should come from people´s actions and not their last name.