It’s already known that Panamanians like custom car parts for various reasons. But one of the quickest, easiest, and cheapest ways to get a car in tip-top shape for a guest is for Panamanians to buy fresheners that hang from the rear view mirror.
If you are thinking to yourself, but car fresheners are popular all over the world, you would be neglecting the most obvious difference with Panamanians and that is their need to keep old car fresheners. On certain rear view mirrors, it is not uncommon to see 10-50 used car fresheners dangling like little Christmas trees in all colors and flavors like “tutty fruity”. It is important to note that these are amassed for good luck.
Because they enjoy them so much, car fresheners are made accessible to Panamanians at most major intersections along with other things Panamanians might impulsively buy such as fresh eggplant, garbage bags, and potted plants.
A lot of them on taxis, buses, cars, “raspado” bikes,… you name it LOL.