22 Lessons About Panama |
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| Written by Matt |
| Tuesday, 13 December 2011 15:37 |
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Twenty two Panama travel, investment, and lifestyle lessons from a twenty-nine year old who’s spent twenty percent of his life getting to know a some 500 year old country.
If more than two people have told you about an up-and-coming place to buy real estate in Panama, chances are, it’s not up-and-coming anymore. I have found that for most Panamanians, family is the most important anchor in their lives. Second is friends and third is the weekend. When I look at the developing Panamanian landscape, I never learn anything about the past. It is almost all about the future. The best places to eat fried fish are El Chorillo, Santa Clara, and Playa La Angosta on the Caribbean side. In that order. Foreigners who self-identify with Panamanian employees tend to get more productivity. There’s a certain kind of foreigner who wants to be generous and give all employees the benefit of the doubt, always. They have trouble succeeding: sadly, the nicest kinds of foreigner entrepreneurs are the worst ones. While Catholicism may appear, at face value, to steer Panamanian society, corruption is more authentic. Dollar bills are the best bills to carry in Panama. Hundreds are the worst. Diplomats in Panama are permitted, at police checkpoints, to pass without blowing. There is no rivalry between Panama and Costa Rica. I guess they kind of see themselves as both hating Mexico. My definition for Panama’s success is a combination of sustainable growth practices combined with lucrative low-hanging fruit. On a scale of 1-100, I think Panama’s process is at an 81. Downtown Panama City is, at times, both the best and the worst capital in Central America. America taught me to save money so that I could retire early and move to Florida. Panama taught me that there is no time like the present; that I should enjoy life as it happens; that laughing and crying and relaxing and eating guanabana are all part of a fulfilling day. The cut-off for waiting in a Panamanian line is 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, take a deep breath and try again another time. The interior of Panama is the most special part of the country. And since everyone seems obsessed with developing the Republic’s capital, the interior enjoys a nice discreet resting spot apart from all the bells and whistles. The best deals in Panama are taxis, pineapples, and in-house masseuses. If you are willing to move to the interior, it is possible to live on a few hundred dollars a month. The only way Panama will truly become a smarter, safer, and more competitive place is with better education. Without it, none of the astronomical growth means all that much. No one in Panama makes wine but someone should. I don’t like getting charged more because I am a gringo. But I am willing to overlook it considering the special treatment I receive. When I read Panamanian newspapers, I can always tell their political agenda. I appreciate this transparency much more than when newspapers try to pretend to be unbiased. To fully identify with Panamanian pride and patriotism, you must watch the national soccer team play at home. Making friends and doing business in Panama is a lot like attending a US high school. Because of my prior experience in high school, I have had reasonable success in Panama. What lessons have you learned about Panama in your time here?
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Comments (3)
  written by AMI , December 13, 2011 what a great list! i can add "learn to pick out fake buts on colombian hookers" and "learn to tell when someone is going to be late"
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 written by Lorelei Kusin , June 20, 2012 hey Matt, we miss you and Casco! you are "spot on", love reading this!!! JB and Lorelei
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 written by Mike Menkes , June 28, 2012 I am thoroughly enjoying my initial 16-day stay near El Valle. The people, parades, markets, manicured neighbor estates, cool nights and mud baths are longevity-enhancing.
I am establishing a new business and I will love to hear do's/don'ts in Panama. report abuse
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| Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 December 2011 17:29 |
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