besame mucho

The typical way to greet people here in Ecuador is with a kiss on the cheek. Now, lips are not supposed to really touch the cheek--it's like the European double kiss, only one-sided. The thing is that EVERYONE does this--even when you meet people for the first time. Whenever you walk into a room, it's customary to make your way around the room kissing everyone hello. People kiss hello when they board the bus in the mornings. People kiss goodbye when they leave school in the afternoon. I'm even told that students will kiss each other when the walk into class, even if they were just in the same class. As an American who is used to much more personal space and formality, it's a little awkward to meet all of these new and immediately be kissing them. It's just another cultural thing that will take some adjusting...