Panama Facts You Won't See Advertised

[Dimitri Svolos]

Over the years that I've been living in Panama I came to the realization that there are some inherent cultural and lifestyle differences that, if not understood and tolerated, will weigh heavily on the lives of every expat living here.
Coping with a "cultural change" should be part of the preparation and due diligence prior to investing and ultimately relocating to Panama. However, a lot of expats move to Panama on a whim or under "false pretenses" supplied to them by slick advertisers and "smooth" Realtors.
Sooner or later, they find themselves caught in a maze of cultural oddities, unique living experiences, unknown social and professional practices and so on...The result: endless frustration, pointless "bitching sessions" to everyone that will listen, marginalization and ,ultimately, fleeing.
For all of you out there contemplating relocating to Panama to retire, do business or just visit, I've put together a list of aspects(lets call them that) of the Panamanian culture, live and business environment that undoubtedly will cause problems if not properly researched and handled.
Disclaimer: For all of you who are now ready to argue that "we are guests here after all and if you don't like it here, leave", I am merely trying to say that a lot of our frustration and shortcomings in Panama come from our inability to realize that there are some basic,intrinsic differences between our past environment and our new Panamanian one. The sooner we come to terms with this notion the better our Panama experience will be.
a)A foreigner is always a...foreigner
This is the single most important realization one can make about their position in Panamanian life. No matter how much one assimilates to the local culture, way of living and practices, one always is going to be a "foreigner" in the eyes of the local folk. There is an inherent resentment (in lack of a better term) towards foreigners (North Americans in particular) that is partly generated from the years of Canal "occupation" and partly due to the perceived financial differences between the average Panamanian and the average foreigner.Weather it is a normal every-day transaction (groceries, hiring house help, shopping etc) or contractual dealings, there is always this underlying you-have-more-than-me-so-I'll-try-and-squeeze-money-off-of-you sentiment.
b)Privacy, what privacy?
Panamanians like close contact and are very animated in everything they do. Loud music at all times of the day and night, unannounced visits late at night or whenever they feel it's OK, personal questions about money, religion, politics (often accompanied by strong opinions of their own) and a general "noseyness" are socially accepted and overlooked.
c)Professional contact (or luck thereof)
Every one who's ever acquired professional services is Panama will tell you their own version of a horror story. No follow-ups, no returned calls and total disregard for the value of your time are some common "beefs" that foreigners will quote.
d)Customer service
There is no customer service in Panama...period! One can blame low wages, lack of business culture, monopolies that do not have to go the extra mile with their customers etc. The truth remains: do not expect more than the basic service (if that) and don't expect a friendly smile from your waiter/waitress, bank teller, retail store clerk, government official...and on, and on, and on...
e)Inconsistency
If you ask ten different departments of any government entity the same question you'll get ten different answers. At time it feels like the elbow does not know what the knee is doing. Bureaucracy has created informational silos (with a lot of egos and personal agendas associated with them) that make the intra-departmental information flow limited or non existent. As a result, one never knows what the real process or protocol is. Further more, the information you had yesterday is not the same as today's information. This creates frustration and inefficiency, that in turn, leads to wasted valuable time, costly delays and, in some cases, legal nightmares.

One way or another, almost all expat or foreigner complains and horror stories come (directly or indirectly) from one of the aforementioned points.

A word of advice: it is strongly recommended (for these and other reasons) that before considering moving, relocating or retiring in Panama that you take the time and effort to live in this country for some time (the more the better). This way you'll allow yourself to try and come to terms with these "new differences", learn their pitfalls (when applicable) and decide if they are a show-stopper for you and your future plans.

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[Rey Morgan]

Hello Dimitri, I read and follow your very enlightening post. I believe that you made many valid points, that normally are/should be expected from a 3 world country as Panama is.

I'm Panamanian, and have traveled to many other Latin America countries and Panama is not in the top 5 position in customer services, however, the potential of the country and the "comodity"it represent for different people in other economies thinking about the value of their dollars make up for a few things.
The issues as you mentioned are there What it's been done to make it better? What can we do to make it better? those are the questions I believe...
Retirees, or others are looking for a place where they can enjoy the nature, have less stress for they days left and of course make their dollar cover more than it would back home where all the facilities, customer services, smiles and all the beautiful things we are accustom to are available at a top $$$ price...don't get me wrong, I'm not saying settle for less...just be patient and understand that if its not in Panama...would be the same or worse in Costa Rica, Mexico, Dominican Republic you name it.
Panama has to improved in many things as you listed and fall short, I agree...most of the countries that offer a scape from the "Big cities" in Latin America are very similar and need investment, education and development, once again, thank you for the enlightening post.

Best regards

Rey

[Dimitri Svolos]

hicotton,
I could not agree with you more as far as treating people with respect and kindness. However, your experience is the exception rather than the rule. In my almost ten years in Panama I have yet to find good customer service. What I mean by that is retail and service employees and establishments that go the extra mile to earn your hard earned dollar. When is the last time you went into a retail store or restaurant and were greeted with a smile? When is the last time you tried to return merchandise without a big production and a dog and pony show? When is the last time you tried to repair or replace something under warranty without going through a hundred hoops and "supervisory approvals"?. I can go on and on...the list is too long. As far as professionals go, I (and almost all the expats I know or met during all these years) have yet to hire a contractor that lived up to their hype and provide quality services without my constant need to supervise literary everything they did. I have yet to retain professional services where I did not have to call back repeatedly and follow up only to get the standard it's-the-system-not-me excuse. Again, the list is too long.
Is every retailer and professional in Panama like this? of course not. But these are rare exceptions that (although welcome) do not constitute the general rule to which I am referring in my post.
Respectfully,
Dimitri Svolos

[hicotton]

I guess I have to be the one to disagree with a couple of things, specifically C and D. We've had one or two occasions where we've had to wait for customer service and, in fact, are waiting for something now. But on the whole I find that things are done pretty well and in many cases very well. We've developed trusting relationships with the folks who work for us and, in turn, they've recommended service people they rely on. None of them has ever let us down. A lot of it is about treating people with respect and kindness, whether it's providing them lunch and something to drink during the working day or something as simple as shaking their hand. I find that a smile given is usually a smile received. That makes a big difference in how you're treated all over the world, not just here.

[Jeff Simon]

The unvarnished truth. A good reality check.
And never say "back home we did it this way".

[CURVAS BONITA]

Another thank you. You really did a job of describing the life in Panama.

[Amigos de Animales]

Thank you, Dimitri, for a good reminder of how it is to live in Panama.

[Shellie Leon]

Dimitri, thanks for this insightful and well thought out post. I thought it was spot on. Also logged on to your blog and have bookmarked it for daily reading.