If you want to understand Panamanians, you must understand their relationship with the sun which is of the love-hate variety. Sure, the sun heightens a number of experiences Panamanians like (such as the Decameron) and gives way to crops Panamanians like (such as plantains), but it is simultaneously dreaded: most simply because it is everywhere.
Panamanians like to avoid the sun using a variety of techniques, most notably umbrellas, large hats, pants/long-sleeved shirts, and (when at the beach) bohios or thatch-roof huts. Rarely will you see a Panamanian basking in the sun (unless it is on a boat) and rarely will you find a Panamanian car without heavily tinted windows. Panamanian taxi drivers who don’t have air conditioning opt to wear a stand-alone sleeve on the “sun side arm” to avoid the sun.
If you want to make a terrific impression on a Panamanian, invite them somewhere dark and/or cold for the weekend such as El Valle.
Americans and Europeans alike eat much more plantains that Panamanians. That’s why there is a Chiquita Banana, and even why the CIA made some moves on Banana republics where Chiquita’s interest where being “affected” back in the day. Every one should be concern with over exposure to the sun, everywhere in the world, and umbrellas are used world wide for that. Jerk, El Valle is full with Americans, Canadians, and Europeans.
We dont expose to the sun because it’s harmful, at least in this country. And every time I go to beach, I dont forget the sun blocker, factor 50. If you want skin cancer for free, be my guest.