Expat Community > Ecuador

carolannemck
Joined 2008
Posts: 303

Reflections on bribery

15 years ago

I recently had occasion to divide a small parcel of land off from a larger parcel, so that I could sell it with a newly constructed house. I obtained the requirements from the municipio in Otavalo and proceeded to have the land surveyed. I jumped through all the bureaucratic hoops and was told everything was ok until I presented the required papers to the final office. There I was told that I needed to add x number of meters to the width of the property; I began asking questions and with a bribe to a city official, I actually will only have to add 1/4 of the original amount (which is actually what the law states). I understand how things are done here, so I will do what is required.
I was speaking to the American today that is buying the property, and we began reflecting on the prevalence of bribery here. He has just become a resident and already has paid a $30 bribe and was charged $300 to have a document notarized, which should have cost $10. We both realized that the US is far from perfect, but as citizens of the US, neither of us ever expected to bribe public officials. We are not naive and realize that some people take bribes in the US, but I think our mindset is typical of the average US citizen; we labor under the assumption that public officials are there to serve, and we expect the service we were promised at no extra charge.
I think people moving here have to realize that some day they will probably be in a situation where they are going to have to pay some public official whether it be a policeman or someone else. It really takes an attitude adjustment.
Carol

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Reflections on bribery

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