Biggest Misconception/Surprise about Panama

Panamax · 07-29-2008

What was your biggest misconception about Panama and/or what surprised you the most?

fxtrader · 07-29-2008

The amount of $$$ in Panama City really suprised me.

Panamax · 07-29-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by fxtrader

The amount of $$$ in Panama City really suprised me.

If by "$$$" you mean the amount of dollars/money in Panama City, please be explicit. Thanks.

fxtrader · 07-29-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panamax

If by "$$$" you mean the amount of dollars/money in Panama City, please be explicit. Thanks.

The amount of money in Panama City was what was most suprising to me.

Panamax · 07-29-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by fxtrader

The amount of money in Panama City was what was most suprising to me.

The amount of money where in Panama City? Are you referring to personal wealth, the flow of money as a result of commerce, the number of foreign and domestic banks, the state of the economy? To just say "the amount of money" is rather vague...

fxtrader · 07-29-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panamax

The amount of money where in Panama City? Are you referring to personal wealth, the flow of money as a result of commerce, the number of foreign and domestic banks, the state of the economy? To just say "the amount of money" is rather vague...

To answer your questions, yes, yes, yes, and no.

miracle · 07-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panamax

What was your biggest misconception about Panama and/or what surprised you the most?

I was expecting a third world hellhole but I found a pretty nice city, and people who could actually speak a fair amount of English (as opposed to other Latin American countries). That was ten years ago, and the degree of development since then has been nothing short of amazing.

I was also surprised by the climate which is way too hot for my taste. It's alright for a week or so but I couldn't live there permanently. If global cooling becomes a reality then Panama will certainly be one of the countries to benefit most.

GordonS · 07-30-2008

But what if Global WARMING becomes a reality?

Quote:

Originally Posted by miracle

I was expecting a third world hellhole but I found a pretty nice city, and people who could actually speak a fair amount of English (as opposed to other Latin American countries). That was ten years ago, and the degree of development since then has been nothing short of amazing.

I was also surprised by the climate which is way too hot for my taste. It's alright for a week or so but I couldn't live there permanently. If global cooling becomes a reality then Panama will certainly be one of the countries to benefit most.

fxtrader · 07-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by miracle

I was also surprised by the climate which is way too hot for my taste. It's alright for a week or so but I couldn't live there permanently.

I suppose I was lucky in the sense that I moved from a hot, humid climate (Houston, TX) to another hot, humid climate in Panama City. In a lot of respects it's better here.

MRWOOHOO · 07-30-2008

I am glad I lived in Florida for 13 years before moving down here. Not that big of a difference in temperature and humidity.

Panamax · 07-31-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRWOOHOO

I am glad I lived in Florida for 13 years before moving down here. Not that big of a difference in temperature and humidity.

In addition to climate, some might argue that in culture and atmosphere there are striking similarities between Panama City and Miami's Little Havana... That in "night life" there are similarities between Calle Uruguay and, say, South Beach...

MultiVista · 07-31-2008

Maybe for People from NORTH of America (NY or Pittsburgh or Philadelphia) the climate in Panama is disturbing? For People coming down from Mexico or Texas > it doesn`t matter?

fxtrader · 07-31-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panamax

In addition to climate, some might argue that in culture and atmosphere there are striking similarities between Panama City and Miami's Little Havana... That in "night life" there are similarities between Calle Uruguay and, say, South Beach...

That's hilarious! I had the same conversation with 2 guys from Florida about a week and a half ago in front of a club on Calle Uruguay. They agreed.

Panamax · 08-02-2008

Most of my co-workers were under the impression that Panama's urban environment is a reflection of the rest of Cental America... One in particular who took the Panama Canal cruise was stunned by the visual impact of Panama City's skyline at the Pacific end.

MRWOOHOO · 08-02-2008

In many ways I feel that Panama City is truly a reflection of Miami. I mention frequently to the locals that Panama City feels like Miami only more people in Panama City speak and understand English.

No-Non-Sense-Matt · 10-19-2008

I was surprised how MOST Panamanians don't want to work.
They don't like working... and it's one of the lowest things
on their priority list.

One guy once told me, "If a Panamanian has $100 in his pockets..
He's not working today." LOL...

N.N.S. Matt

crisella74 · 10-19-2008

I think it takes a while to get used to the laid back spirit of Latin people. When we lived in Spain we thought they were the laziest people on the face of earth but that's not exactly true. We believe more in getting up and "go, go, go" while they like siestas and fiestas

You would eventually see that they put in the same amount of work... just at a different pace.
And then again, who likes to work?
OK, I do, but that's only cos I love what I do lol

fouzie · 10-19-2008

What surprises me are how big the city is! I thought when I heard panama city it is just a small city with small buildings and don't have skyscraper building, but WOW, I'm totally wrong

ford007 · 10-19-2008

I was surprised to find that Panama had a lot in common with the Caribbean countries compared to most other Latin American nations. Don't know the reason, but Caribbean culture is especially prevalent along the Canal Zone and the Atlantic Coast.