Comments for Expatriates in Panama at http://www.thepanamareport.com , comment 1 to 6 out of 6 comments http://www.thepanamareport.com Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:33:27 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thepanamareport.com/information/americans-in-panama/expatriates-in-panama.html#comment-2342 I know you wrote this a while back, but thanks for sharing your experience. I believe that if you are planning to leave your home land and live in a new country, you must love every part of it. If you dont, well, get out! You left your homeland for a reason, and if you have a problem with the people or the culture of the country you immigrated to, then obviously it is not a suitable country for you and please just move on. Some people do not have the courage to leave their land, but since you already have, keep moving. A specific question for Matt Landau: How did you deal with your financial situation, e.g., credit cards, mortgage, loans, etc.? I am planning on moving there as well, but I am afraid of my credit and reputation back at the states. My parents still live here and I would like to visit them without worrying about my status as an American. Please let me know how you dealt with this issue. Thanks :) - Sylvie Sun, 10 Jul 2011 20:05:58 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/information/americans-in-panama/expatriates-in-panama.html#comment-2036 Sorry but i am coming to Panama when my apartment is finished to live a relaxing life. I have no intention of being Panamanian. That is the very last thing I want to be. Low cost lifestyle, especially where I can have several runabout staff rather than a Haitian wanting minimum wage, is what I want. - Jim Strummer Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:06:03 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/information/americans-in-panama/expatriates-in-panama.html#comment-2007 Richard, please get off your pompous high horse. Jim has every right to hang out with other gringos in a foreign land. There is no law against it. I suppose you'd like to kick out all the Chinese living in Chinatowns all across the U.S. just because they can't speak English? Give me a break. Many people visit foreign lands to enjoy the land, not necessarily the people. I'm talking about the weather, the scenery and natural beauty. After living in Panama for a while, I've had no inclination to get to know the Panamanians. In fact there are many things about their culture and way of life that are major turn offs... mainly honesty and work ethic. Many will rip you off blind and do crappy work for you. Same old broken record. Don't get me wrong I know a few Panamanians, the dignified ones. But the rest don't strike me as fascinating nor appealing people. - Bob Jones Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:07:49 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/information/americans-in-panama/expatriates-in-panama.html#comment-2002 The term expatriate has nothing to do with "patriot (someone who supported the cause of independence in the American Revolution)." The "ex" part is correct, but the "patriate" part comes from the Latin "Patria" meaning native land (from patrius, paternal, from pater, father. Of course the word "Patriot" derives from the Latin "Patria," as well. I am always put off by people like Jim Strummer who move, become "expats" and then want to hang around with Gringos in a foreign land. Want to hang out and drink beer with a bunch of Gringos? Stay in the States. I have lived abroad prior to getting my Pensionado in Panama. I got a job years ago that landed me on the French Riviera for what was an indeterminate length of time. The job was presented as "How'd you like to live in France for 'six months or so?'" Neither the boss or I expected it to end up being nearly three years. When I went there the extent of my French consisted of being able to count to ten, and I have to admit that I sought out other English speakers. But as my stay lengthened I began to learn the language and the more of the language I learned the more I gravitated towards the natives and distanced myself from the other Gringos and expats. At the end of my sojourn it dawned on me that I would go for days without hearing a word of English. I would DREAM in French. (After all, if you are having a dream and the people in your dream only speak French you can't speak to them in English. They wouldn't understand you.) What I gained from separating myself from the English speaking expat community was to develop wonderful relationships with the "natives." I never would have gotten to know the wonderful elderly Corsican couple who owned a small wine and cheese shop on the Rue de Pecheurs (Fisherman's Road) in Golfe Juan where I went weekly for my supplies. Delightful people who always seemed to slip a little something extra into my shopping bag. While my acquaintances of the first six months of my stay still sat in the expat bars I was being invited to small local festivals they weren't even aware of. Not only did I have a richer experience for enmeshing myself with the local community and gaining a different view of the world I believe that the people I met with gained a better perspective of Americans. On my last day in France one of my acquaintances said, "When I first met you, I hated you. I hated you because you were an American. I hated you because you didn't speak French, but before you go I want you to know, I love you. You are my FRIEND." So my advice to the Jim Strummers of the world is learn the language. Become part of the community. - Richard Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:05:01 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/information/americans-in-panama/expatriates-in-panama.html#comment-1967 Can you tell me where expats meet up? Is there a club or other venue that is uniquely expat (except maybe the staff)? I am coming down with my family to live in Panama and am looking for more information. - Jim Strummer Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:58:25 +0100 http://www.thepanamareport.com/information/americans-in-panama/expatriates-in-panama.html#comment-1964 Enjoyed this article over a cup of coffee. I've been an expat for the last 15 years (although not an American expat and not in Panama yet) and that's how I intend to stay for the rest of my life. ONce an expat, you remain an expat. I can attest to the general truth in your statement: "...expats are tied together by two things: the country they were not born in and a fanatical inclination towards formal gatherings to discuss the downfalls of [Panama]"-- read any country you happen to inhabit." ;-) - La Mer Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:32:32 +0100