Regardless of how close some place is, Panamanians like to drive, even if this means taking more time to get there or wasting gas or having potential problems finding a parking space. If you want to make a good first impression on Panamanians, it is recommended to suggest eating somewhere down the street (within view) and then open the door to your car and imply for them to get in. It is important that you not ask “do you want to walk or drive?” because in Panama, there is only one way to get short distances and that is in the car.
For many Panamanians, the love for driving short distances is eclipsed only by the choice, should they be confronted with it, to take taxis short distances. Were a Panamanian to be transplanted in Europe, he/she would surely receive crazy looks for, say, asking a taxi to drive 2 blocks. But in Panama, it is the reverse: the only crazy look comes from someone threatening to actually walk that far.
In some cultures, if someone on foot is to pass someone in a car due to traffic, it is looked upon as ironic or even comical. But Panamanians would only view this as a shame, seeing as though the guy walking doesn’t have access to air conditioning.
I always wondered about this. I work at a Panamanian school and the other teachers would rather drive all the way around the block to get to our favorite lunch spot than walk through this parking lot (literally, like 200 yards). It’s almost like they’re trying to make a point
I just started reading this blog and I am hooked! I plan to visit for awhile this year before deciding if I will retire there before 50. Understanding another country or region is crucial to to the full experience and enjoyment of it. I am certainly getting educated here without the pressure of buying an untitled piece of property in the middle of nowhere.
Thank you for sharing what would take years to learn otherwise, as well as preventing me from from appearing foolish.
Additionally, this blog gives me time to come up with excuses for potential gringo behavior: Walking (I love to walk)…I will be sure to carry my sketch book when walking, it gives me the excuse that I want to do some drawing on the way to the destination 2 blocks away(or he’s a little crazy…he’s an artist you know) or I have a pinched nerve in my back and if I sit in a car for just a minute or two…I won’t be able to dance tonight in the clubs…or manana, next week or some other time I will drive two blocks…oh just one more…did you know that Maru Galvez thinks we should take care of our planet, and by walking, I am helping too. Thanks…I have been SCHOOLED!
It is true most of the things the author said in this article, but Im not completly convinced:
1. Why why why we dont like the sun:
- Because it causes horrible burns that turns red and painful, you cant stand your cloth cause is causes you a horrible pain, you can even end staying awake the whole night because of the pain, then if you didnt had enough… you start to peal a few days later, looking like you have something familiar with the snakes skin-change.
- Not mentioning is horrible to feel the sun in your head burning the whole day, it makes you more tired and can give you a headache at the end of the day.
- And, have you tried to be in the traffic at 3pm in Panama City without air conditioning….if you dont…then dont ask us why why sometimes avoid the sun.
The sun is okay a few days per year, at the beach, on holidays, but if you are from abroad, and you dont know whats to be responsible with your skin…mate…you will learn the hard way.
Hi, we are irtenested in Panama and Ecuador. I was there in 1997 and i need to return to explore Penonome, El Valle Chitre Pedasi, and Las Tablas. Any info would be greatly appreciated.** In Ecuador I enjoyed Guayaquil,. pass through La libertad, Salinas and need to go back. Can someone Compare the two.?ThanksJoe
2. Maru: Who the hell is her? We are about 3 million here, not all of us are interested in some Maru that appears in tv, once a while… better to see the news.
3. Walking? Are you crazy?
– Our streets are extremely dangerous, we dont have special signs for the people that needs or like to walk. Not mentioning the way of driving here is insaneeee!!! The drivers have no respect or manners for anyone. Yes is true! Hate to admit it, but that my country!
- Second, your posibilities for being robbed rises if you walk.
If you are a girl, better take a cab, the boys are going to start screaming at you horrible things, that if you are lucky.. if not someone can stop the car and invite you for a ride…a complete stranger.
Blane, the clown that wrote these articles is not giving you an inside to what Panama is. He is just being a jerk. The majority of Panamanians, either do not have a car, or can’t even afford to buy fuel for the full lenght of the month, most not even half of the month. So in sum, unlike America, most Panamanians do walk everywhere, and most stay standing even inside the busses, which stack more people than they can sit. The Panamanians that drive around with their cars, do it mostly in an attempt to either be safe, not get all sweety from the sun, or showered by the rain, cause its hot and humid and could diluge any time, and they need to go back to work not all smelly and sweaty or all wet from the rain; or they are trying to get to other places further, beside the close by destination. It has nothing to do with 2 to 3 hour parkings as in America, where it is illegal to simply extend your parking through just putting more coins, so people also need to move their car around close not to be towed away.
I just say: Rain… here in Panama you could have a nice sunny day but it can change suddenly to a big storm, thats why we like to go in the car everywhere…
#38 SOUNDS MORE LIKELY TO BE TEXAS…
For Dawn,1. 80% of ppeole in Panama City speaks English, internet is all over the country and cellular phone, Skype, etc.2. It seams that you are looking into areas like Coronado, Altos de Maria, and many beach areas close to Panama City, but I think the biggest expat community lives in Boquete or around the mountains of Chiriqui. Many though, move there and feel lonely or it to be too cold. This is extrange because ppeole from Vermont think it is cold and not for us the Panamanians. Some move then to more hot areas. I have seen many new buildings and gated communities around the beach areas.
The 4 main reasons why panamanians like to take their cars instead of walking – even for short distances – are as follows:
1) Panama-City has practically NO decent walking sidewalks,
2) Cars are parked on the sidewalks located in front of stores,
3) Its is too hot to walk in the dry season,
4) It is to wet to walk in the rainy season.