Perhaps I’m way off base with this but it’s been nagging at me and I think it’s worth discussing. I’m not as eloquent as some so this likely won’t be worded as well as it should be.
I’ve seen numerous comments made about the frequency of posts made by folks who don’t live in Boquete. It may just be me, but I often feel as though they are said in such a way as to imply that, since we don’t live there, we couldn’t possibly know anything (and shouldn’t be posting?).
I believe the purpose of a forum is to share information. People who don’t live there but are considering a visit or who wish to move there will have questions and may post often. Answering the questions is what’s important. Where the person lives who answers is irrelevant. In fact, someone who recently visited or recently moved may be able to answer certain questions better than someone who’s been there for years as their experience is current.
It distresses me when I see a question asked (or I ask a question) and it goes unanswered by folks who do live there and should know the answer. Or when off the wall, snide answers are given, or when the answer given is incorrect. Just because some of us do not live there (yet), does not mean we are totally ignorant. Our opinions and experiences are as relevant as anyone else’s, and occasionally, we might even know something? For example, it’s very likely some of the folks who live there know more about certain aspects of Arizona then I do although you don’t live here.
It often seems the “newbies” are the first (or only ones) to reply… Maybe not as burned out on answering the same questions over and over? Whatever the reason, I think people should be encouraged to respond, not chastised for posting too often (which has happened to me and at least two others).
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I have traveled a good portion of the world including spending 13 of my 22 years in the Air Force stationed overseas. I find the Panamanians to be the most open, accepting and loving people I have ever been around. Since the day I came to David 4 years ago I have been accepted almost as family with not a discouraging word.
Having said that, in my opinion, if you want to get a feel for why some people tend to avoid these discussion, just read through the dialogue on this subject. I have no interest in, or want to engage in, any conversation that is peppered with the bigoted racist crap that JC seems to thrive on.
My grand daddy said: Never try to engage in a battle of wits with someone only half armed!
Darlene:
I have lived in Boquete for 6 years. I'm involved in a business with my son since moving here. I have experienced many fortunate and some unfortunate situations while living here. I have a wealth of information to share, but the reason I do not post is because it seems that every forum discussion turns into a backbiting, "I'll kick your ass" contest. I have never seen anything like some of the crap that is posted and the nasty comments in many of the forums on .NING. .NING started out with good intentions, but it has turned into a bunch of kids in a sandbox throwing sand at each other. Several months ago, I was attacked by some dweeb who lives in Dolega. He brought politics into the attack and made some disparaging remarks about me that were totally over the top and incorrect. There are just too many angry people on these forums for me to continue posting. I thought coming to Boquete was suppose to be a tranquil move for the better....apparently a lot of people here are still clinging to their old ways from the past.
Juan Carlos!!!!! I am the STUPID one asking about coming to Panama with a truck and trailer. Yes, I know what happened in Panama last week. And if you could read English well, you will note that I was trying to get information about driving to Panama. I did not say that I was "DOING" it. That is part of my research. I wasn't able to get information about it anywhere else, so I evidently made a faux pas (I also speak French) by asking here. I'm sorry that my question offended YOU. AND, furthermore, I have basic Spanish that I acquired dealing with Mexicans that are in the US and did not bother to learn the English language, so it is a two way street. By the way, the store is named WALMART, not Wall Mart! People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
We have learned much about the people, history and culture about Panama and study it daily. Your rudeness is unacceptable and sheds a bad light on the beautiful, joyous people of Panama. Also, your grammar and spelling won't win any awards. We certainly do not expect Panama to be like the US or Canada. Why would we make a lateral move like that? We would just stay in the US.
We do appreciate all of the helpful, knowledgeable folks on this site. I did reread this several times before posting.
Don't feel bad. Last year I got thrown into the "expats are ignorant pot" by yours truly who suggested that I learn the culture and language. Problem is that I have lived in Boquete probably longer than most expats, immersed myself up to my eyeballs in the culture and had my first class in Spanish in 1961!
How do you say "shoot from the hip" in Spanish?
That's the rub of it Darlene which JC doesn't want to recognize -- there are many people in Panama and especially Boquete who know quite a bit of English and unlike in Germany where even if they knew English they would say they didn't if you asked them for assistance. While I agree with JC and others who say learning Spanish will make you life easier and more enjoyable to live and travel throughout Panama and Central America the fact of the matter is that you can survive in Panama without learning virtually any Spanish. Will it be more difficult - of course, but it is not impossible. Many of the Panamanians will bend over backwards to assist you and much more so than I've seen Americans do with those living in the U.S. who do not speak English.
I would also tend to disagree with JC assertion that the expats expect things to work like they do in the U.S. All of his situations listed above are easily handled with or without Spanish -- and some it clearly makes no difference whether you know Spanish or not. Whether or not you know Spanish isn't going to move the service truck if there is no driver in it -- I'm sure the truck doesn't speak Spanish (besides just climb in on the passenger side - no Spanish needed); whether or not you know Spanish isn't going to keep a driver from pulling in front of you while you're waiting to pull in -- JC knows Spanish and this has happened twice to him recently; The attendant at the meat counter took a pretty girl before him and he knows Spanish so obviously knowing Spanish then didn't help him then either; Well if the ambulance doesn't have a paramedic then if you know Spanish it doesn't mean a paramedic is going to suddenly appear.
For all those situations where it is definitely in your best interests in having someone who knows Spanish there is a group here you can become a member of who which has a English speaker who can assist in translation, call an ambulance, police or fire department or translate at an accident which you can join and support called Alto alcrimen 6477-6662. Wow amazing a group of dumb expats would set something up like this to assist those who are language challenged. But for the record I support learning the language of the country you're going to live in!
Rod
Sorry, Darlene. What I was hinting at has a really ugly name ... it is called "racism". I find it offensive under any guise. The perjorative term "big johnson" is simply a euphemism for the male regenerative organ. Ad hominem attacks go both ways, but misogyny coupled with sociopathic dissonance is just hard to ignore.
I suppose I should take a few deep, cleansing breaths while I meditate upon scraping off the bottom of my shoe.
Ruefully,
wryawry
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