Thread: Personality of the Average Panamanian

Really!!!!!!!!! I guess I need to pay more attention to what I'm reading.

Originally Posted by zobolo

Really!!!!!!!!! I guess I need to pay more attention to what I'm reading.

Lol well i wont deny it's been a lot of negativity, but liek the last 10 posts people are basically saying they prefer panama's corruption over the american one. Basically just cause it is cheaper but still ..

And if i may add, a lot of the negative experiences people have had are due to their own ignorance. Dropping 30% on a condo of which the foundation even hasnt been dug, often after just seeing a website or brochure, isnt smart. Especially not in a 3rd world country. Same goes for paying your contractor 10's of thousands before he even hits a nail. People dont seem to realize that things are different in a different part of the world.

I agree with all that you have to say. Let me add that as a realtor in New jersey, I don't see the difference in behavior between a developer in Panama and that of NJ, being Toll brothers or Trump. They are all in business to make money, and they all will break the law or take short cut in order to maximized their return. The only difference that I can come up with, is that in the states, the developers have to deal with the various municipalities and all the established codes, also there's a better system to deal with scam artist in the states. As far as I'm concerned, Panama is way ahead of the game, and people need to chill just a bit.

MeanderingMiss - I just wanted to say that I'm happy that you found staff you can trust. Koodos to you & I hope to follow in your footsteps


Michelle

This is an amusing thread. In almost every instance, you could substitute the word Florida for Panama and it would be accurate. There is probably more corruption in the US than anywhere else in the world, but people are so blind to it. And I find it hard to believe than anywhere could have people more incompetent, lazy, and dishonest than those I deal with in Florida on a daily basis.

I remember watching Miami Vice on tv and thinking-thats the place for me! My wife and I took a trip, thinking that we may want to eventually move there. It didnt take long to change our minds. It was so hot and humid I could hardly breathe in Sept. A local asked how we liked it and when we complained about the climate-he said 'this is perfect weather to me'. The people there seem to be either Haitian-type, which is mean, rude and filthy. I got tired of the cab drivers refusing to give change so they could try to screw you. The other type of typical Floridian is a toothless, drop-out who lives in a trailer or shack. The traffic is terrible, it is dirty,South Beach is dumpy, the crime is rampant. Florida is the most over rated state in the Union. It is more like a third world country-with extremely haughty rich and peasants to serve them (or rob them).

Originally Posted by photogirl

This is an amusing thread. In almost every instance, you could substitute the word Florida for Panama and it would be accurate. There is probably more corruption in the US than anywhere else in the world, but people are so blind to it. And I find it hard to believe than anywhere could have people more incompetent, lazy, and dishonest than those I deal with in Florida on a daily basis.

You aren't the first person who I've heard this from.

I heard they lie for the sake of lying & while I'm NOT saying North Americans don't lie b/c they do, I have found that certain types from the Middle East (not sure about Latin America) lie even when there's no reason at all to lie, meaning they are chronic liars.

So if Latinos are the same (not saying they are), then it would make sense about Fl.


Michelle

I think this is a silly thread. How can anyone give a nice description of the personality of the "average Panamanian"? As far as I know, everyone I have met here has their own personality. If someone made up a thread called personality of the average American I would probably take offense to it. Just sounds politically incorrect to me. I am pretty sure that most "Panamanians" would feel that this thread is not nice. Oh, I have met plenty of Panamanians with very nice personalities-just like every where I have been. Well, I have met some real "bad apples" as well. Sounds like back home to me.

I completely agree with pollerkeeper. However, as I also think it is a "dumb thread", it is on page 5 with responses. What does that say about us?

I think it means that we think we are "Gods Gift". We expect to come to Panama and have everything presented to us on a silver platter. And, if it doesn't work out that way we get to say "mean stuff" about Panamanians. Such as all Panamanians are liars and all they want to rip us off. They call us stupid Gringo's. I wonder why? Aren't we nice, civilized people? We are the smartest people because we are from a "1st world" country. Those Panamanians are "barbarians" and need to be looked down on. No wonder they work for 12 dollars a day and live like animals. All Panamanians have bad "personalities"!!!! Lets sum it all up so everyone will know what the average Panamanian personality is like. Great thread.

Originally Posted by Pollerkeeper

I think it means that we think we are "Gods Gift". We expect to come to Panama and have everything presented to us on a silver platter. And, if it doesn't work out that way we get to say "mean stuff" about Panamanians. Such as all Panamanians are liars and all they want to rip us off. They call us stupid Gringo's. I wonder why? Aren't we nice, civilized people? We are the smartest people because we are from a "1st world" country. Those Panamanians are "barbarians" and need to be looked down on. No wonder they work for 12 dollars a day and live like animals. All Panamanians have bad "personalities"!!!! Lets sum it all up so everyone will know what the average Panamanian personality is like. Great thread.

Oh come off it Poller. I hope you were being sarcastic. If not then you need a reality check. No one said "ALL" Panamanians except for you. The OP title said "Average" or typical which means there will be generalizing. That's what the responses reflected and they are accurate. I know a few really good Panamanians and THEY are the ones who warned me about watching my back against their own country men.

It is important to know the general attitude and vibe of the local people because they are the ones you will be living amongst. There is no way I will respect anyone who tries to takes advantage of me. So if the general population tries to take advantage of me then I must ask myself a question... do I even want to live amongst so many people I don't respect? If the answer is no then it's time to make an exit.

Most expats leave for this very reason... they don't respect the local people or culture. It could be the general "I don't care" attitude or the low to no standards of excellence which affects every thing you see and touch in this country. I respect anyone with enough self respect to say "I'm not lowering my standards to that level". Good for them.

Felicity,

If you bothered to read more than 1 post you would have seen that Pollerkeeper was being sarcastic just by looking 2 posts above at his other post on this subject.

Personally, I have found that the majority of Panamanians are far more civilised than many of the Expats that I have met during my travels here. That doesn't mean ALL Panamanians or ALL gringos, just my own observation based on the treatment I have recieved since being here.

Maybe its just me.

Mack

When you view things within a framework of 'political correctness' and use phrases such as, 'I am sure that most Panamanians would feel that this thread is not nice', it demonstrates that your thoughts are ruled by emotions-not reasoning. The concept of 'the average' anything connotes a generalized view. Since a discussion of a large group doesnt allow for the examination of each and every subject-generalizations are required.

Originally Posted by Pollerkeeper

I think this is a silly thread. How can anyone give a nice description of the personality of the "average Panamanian"? As far as I know, everyone I have met here has their own personality. If someone made up a thread called personality of the average American I would probably take offense to it. Just sounds politically incorrect to me. I am pretty sure that most "Panamanians" would feel that this thread is not nice. Oh, I have met plenty of Panamanians with very nice personalities-just like every where I have been. Well, I have met some real "bad apples" as well. Sounds like back home to me.

"Since a discussion of a large group doesnt allow for the examination of each and every subject-generalizations are required."
Then why bothered with the generalization of people., let alone engaged publicly in such a topic. It's like saying black people are more athletic then white people. I'll be willing to bet money that a lot of people will take me to task over that statement, and rightfully so. See there was a time that I trully beleived in that statement, all UI can say now is how naive I was.
Here are some others I picked out from this blog that makes no sense to me:
From Derek Marlowe "The people there seem to be either Haitian-type, which is mean, rude and filthy. I got tired of the cab drivers refusing to give change so they could try to screw you." I wonder how many Haitans you know among the close to half a million that resides in Florida.
From Felicity "I know a few really good Panamanians and THEY are the ones who warned me about watching my back against their own country men." Congratulation Felicity for being so lucky to having a few Panamanian friends kind enough to warn you.

White athletes are more intelligent. That may or may not be true but there is a lot of support for it.

Originally Posted by adamruns

White athletes are more intelligent. That may or may not be true but there is a lot of support for it.

Oops my bad, I forgot about that one, and let's not even talk about sexual tool (L.O.L).

I assumed that the conceptionization of'average' would go over some people heads. As I previously wrote, people who view the world through rose colored-politically correct lenses severely limit their analytical capacities. In your world nobody can be spoken ill of, no matter what awful things they do, because at some times in their life they may have been good-no generalizations allowed. All of this because in a simpleton world nobody gets blamed or made to feel badly.

Originally Posted by zobolo

"Since a discussion of a large group doesnt allow for the examination of each and every subject-generalizations are required."
Then why bothered with the generalization of people., let alone engaged publicly in such a topic. It's like saying black people are more athletic then white people. I'll be willing to bet money that a lot of people will take me to task over that statement, and rightfully so. See there was a time that I trully beleived in that statement, all UI can say now is how naive I was.
Here are some others I picked out from this blog that makes no sense to me:
From Derek Marlowe "The people there seem to be either Haitian-type, which is mean, rude and filthy. I got tired of the cab drivers refusing to give change so they could try to screw you." I wonder how many Haitans you know among the close to half a million that resides in Florida.
From Felicity "I know a few really good Panamanians and THEY are the ones who warned me about watching my back against their own country men." Congratulation Felicity for being so lucky to having a few Panamanian friends kind enough to warn you.

So using your understanding of the word, you concluded that on average Haitians are mean, rude and filthy o.k I got it

Originally Posted by Pollerkeeper

I think this is a silly thread. How can anyone give a nice description of the personality of the "average Panamanian"? As far as I know, everyone I have met here has their own personality. If someone made up a thread called personality of the average American I would probably take offense to it. Just sounds politically incorrect to me. I am pretty sure that most "Panamanians" would feel that this thread is not nice. Oh, I have met plenty of Panamanians with very nice personalities-just like every where I have been. Well, I have met some real "bad apples" as well. Sounds like back home to me.

I was initially simply asking what people thought about their personalities. I wasn't intending it to be disrespectful at all.

Since I've arrived & gotten to know people, I like Panamanians as a whole so far. Some are more helpful than others, but overall, they are nice people. I've come across one in another group who was a blank, but thank gawd she seems to be the exception to the rule. I heard they aren't very intelligent, but so long as they are nice, that is what matters to me as I don't like people who think they are intelligent & are nasty.

I also remember that not everyone is Panamanian, a lot are Colombians.

I don't do politically correct. I live by what I think is right, not by what the entire world deems right. That's why I'm me & in charge of my life, & everyone else is in charge of their's.

I just wanted to point out that I didn't intend this to be a bashing of Panamanians at all. I was just curious about people's perceptions & Americans have their own reputation LOL, but not ALL Americans are like that & I love Americans. They are passionate, stand up for themselves, create new biz ideas, are progressive in many area, etc. Doesn't mean I love all their traits, but the positive outweigh their negative IMO & I grew up there, so I have some American in me


Michelle

Originally Posted by Pollerkeeper

No wonder they work for 12 dollars a day and live like animals.

Clearly I have been overpaying.

It sounds to me like you haven't been around much. No offence but there are places this treatment would be welcome to some cities I have been to even in the states. I think maybe living in a modest style and not having fancy things will help this cloud pass. A simple life is so much more centered and you may find far more contentment but it is not for the average "I want to be the big guy". Free up the trash in ones head and you free up everything else.

As Bob said "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; none but ourselves can free our minds."

Bob also cultivated a few dozen species of head lice...
Anyway, if you want to dismiss good advice go right ahead. I wont lose any sleep. I think those of us with an open mind will sort out the useful information regardless of how its presented. If you cry "BIAS" and shut your eyes you can miss an awful lot.

This thread was super helpful for someone who is considering moving to Panama in there 30's and wants a nightlife and to do biz down there. I am still going to visit but am now setting my sights on researching Colombia

Btw this is such a highlvy vieweed thread it should be a stickey

Hi Michelle.I absolutely agree with you. No, I think Panamanians are worse in that regard than other Latin American countries are. In Argentina you can meet a lot of people with human class. In Panama they try to steal anything they can from Gringos... But here is the difference...they would steal everything they can from each other when there are no Gringos!