Thread: Is there racial discrimination in Panama?

I often hear on the news that people, mostly Asians, are being discriminated when they migrate to a foreign land. I would like to ask if there is such thing in Panama. I am an Asian but I am very much interested to apply for retirement there but if there are racial discrimination, I might change my mind.

I am an Asian too and I believe that all countries has racial discrimination issues but it would be on some cases only. Panamians are I think really friendly enough to accept every guests and sometimes you can only feel racial discrimination in work where you belong to.

In my opinion, racial discrimination is almost non-existent in Panama. As for Asians specifically, there are a lot of Asians living in Panama. There are streets and shopping malls that are full with shops owned by Asians, and all smaller supermarkets and fresh fruit shops (that sell veggies and fruits from all over the world) I've seen are owned by Asians, as well as some of the best restaurants, computer shops, laundry services, etc. You can also buy CDs and DVDs in Asian languages and by Asian artists. The larger banks, like HSBC bank or Continental bank have employees who speak Chinese. There are also language schools for Asians. I'd say Panama and Panamanian people know that foreign people brought them to where they are today, that's why they are treated with kindness and respect.

"I often hear on the news that people, mostly Asians, are being discriminated when they migrate to a foreign land."

Hi cessy! That's a very valid and important discussion. I'm not Asian myself, but from my experience in Panama it's very much the opposite... usually Asians are seen as more intelligent and more mature than other people. In Panama you'll find all kinds of different races, respecting and learning from each other and I love that.

Thanks so much for the assurance. It makes me feel more relieved and I am more encouraged that Panama is a good place to be in. It really feels good to be in a community that you are welcomed. It lessens the feeling of being homesick.

Wow, that's a vast knowledge Laura. I should not be afraid to visit Panama then because they are like Asians and there are a lot of Asians there. That's very interesting.

I think racism is an issue everywhere, still. However, in Panama I think it isn't as bad as most places. There are many Asians in Panama, as well as other races.

From my experience in Panama, if you're Asian, I wouldn't worry about it at all. P.C. has one of the largest Chinese communities south of N.A. Further south, there are the largest expat Japanese (Peru and Brazil,) and Chinese (Argentina) communities outside of the homeland.
Check out Asian Latin American - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and see how it feels. FYI, like little corners shops in NYC are called bodegas for their Spanish-speaking proprietors, the little shops in P.C. (la tienda=small store) are called 'el chino, los chinos' for their Chinese owners. Several of my friends there are of Asian/European extraction, and I didn't see or hear any overt nasty racial commentary in the city. I did hear some some detrimental comments made in more rural areas, but it had nothing to do with being Asian, it was instead directed more towards those of Afro-Caribbean lineage. Exceptions were made for black Americans, Canadians and Europeans! I guess the uninformed/uneducated populace that was making the comments was basing it on economics--still, it sucked.

In the cities though, there are very large Asian populations--and I still need to find my dim sum palace in P.C.! If anyone comes up with one, I would love to hear about it. Thanks!

Cheers.

Hi Lalaguayaba! There are several places where you can get dim sum. The absolute best of the best in Panama City is Palacio Lung Fung! ....it can get super crowded on the weekends though.

Their phone is: 260-4011

Hope you like it!

A pic for you all to feast upon

Thank you Kitty!! Thanks for the wonderful pic as well. That's awesome because dim sum is one of my favorite things. I spend a lot of time between San Diego and D.C., and there are dozens of places to choose from, but the last time I was in P.C. (March,) I didn't spend enough time looking for my dim sum palace--now it looks like I've got one! Fantastic.

Cheers!

I have not encountered racism in Panama. If anyone is racist towards any of you, just tell your old Panama pal! I'll give you my support!

I think after reading this thread I will order some Asian food.

I hope the racial issues isn't that serious over there as and I'm from Asia as well. Btw Kitty we have lots of Dim Sum here too

Hi lalaguayaba (what's actually the meaning of this?)

"Exceptions were made for black Americans, Canadians and Europeans!"

I'm from Europe and feature white colour. Is there more racism against european guys?
Do you have any idea about this situation? I'm considering to live in or close to P.C.

Thanks for your effort.
Cheers,
Stefan

I believe he meant black people from the all the countries mentioned (US, Canada and Europe) but I thought he said those are rather exceptions compare to those from Afro-Caribbean ones.

First of all, Nuaeman, I'm a woman! And yes, Stefan, white men from Europe and the U.S. are rather viewed as 'rich guys coming down to take our beautiful women.' So, learn to speak Spanish if you don't already, be extra respectful to the men around you, and let the tourists take the brunt of the b.s. directed at whites.

As someone who is going to live there, you should be fine. Live like a local!
As for my screen name--Lala is a nickname, and 'guayaba' means 'guava,' which is one of my favorite fruits.

Cheers.

hiya,

thanks for the hint Lalaguayaba.
... coming down to take our beautiful women!
I fully understand if someone is proud of his/their women, but if their bevavior is really like this, than it's bit cocky, to be honest.
All in the world are beautiful women, you just need to "find" them, if you want to!

I'll consider to live like a local even when it's not and it will not be always possible.
I've downloaded spanish audiotapes for my mp3 player but I still understand nothing. (OK, I've just joined this system) and I've asked some spanish native speakers in my enterprise to teach (more/less) me spanish. I hope this works out!

Thanks!
Cheers,
Stefan

Originally Posted by cessy

I often hear on the news that people, mostly Asians, are being discriminated when they migrate to a foreign land. I would like to ask if there is such thing in Panama. I am an Asian but I am very much interested to apply for retirement there but if there are racial discrimination, I might change my mind.

I have been to Panama 3 times and twice with my wife who is Korean. We have not experienced any problems with racial problems. In fact, Panamanians were very intrigued with her. I have heard of some discrimination against people with dark skin but have not seen it with my own eyes.

Originally Posted by Lalaguayaba

First of all, Nuaeman, I'm a woman! And yes, Stefan, white men from Europe and the U.S. are rather viewed as 'rich guys coming down to take our beautiful women.' So, learn to speak Spanish if you don't already, be extra respectful to the men around you, and let the tourists take the brunt of the b.s. directed at whites.

As someone who is going to live there, you should be fine. Live like a local!
As for my screen name--Lala is a nickname, and 'guayaba' means 'guava,' which is one of my favorite fruits.

Cheers.

Oh dear I'm so sorry about that, frankly we have racial issues here as well and in fact I find these racial issues are the main thing that prevent people from uniting one another.

Common guys.Why care for it even if it is there ?? Enjoy the beauty of the place rather than these stuff. And frankly there is no racial problem in Panama at least. I have never experienced and never even heard about such.

Actually racial issues can be quite unpleasant for visitors as they don't want to feel unwelcome when buying things, asking for help and such. However as what I heard here Panama seems to be a friendly place and hope it will be if I took a visit there when I'm old.

Originally Posted by zhinghur

Common guys.Why care for it even if it is there ?? Enjoy the beauty of the place rather than these stuff. And frankly there is no racial problem in Panama at least. I have never experienced and never even heard about such.

i agree with you,we should focus ourselves on such problems there will be always be some people almost everywhere practicing it unless some radical changes happen in our society,and about panama none of my friends who've been to panama told me about the existence of such a practice.

Here's the sense that I got: White = fine, Asian = fine, Black English-speaker = fine.

It just seems to be prejudice against the local Afro-Caribbean populations; if you happen to be a black North American or European, no problem.

Cheers.