Panama

Panamanians consider their family to be important, it is their support and their responsibility and the ultimate recipient of their loyalty. Along with loyalty to family members, Panamanians value their friendships. Nationalism is strong in Panama. The people of Panama want to solve their problems They look to the future with excitement. Ethnicity is an important social distinction in Panama, yet the Panamanian subcultures have merged to the point that individuals are often difficult to classify as belonging to a particular ethnic group.

The Panamanian social system began in Spanish colonial times and has continued until today. Most citizens, even interior campesinos, are well-informed on topics relating to national and international politics. Panamanians are also aware of their association with the United States. Many resent the relationship as unequal. Panamanians appreciate their Spanish heritage and, to a lesser extent, their indigenous roots.

Panama's social system has three main tiers: the elite, the middle class the lower class. Class structure divides citizens based on wealth, occupation, education, family background, culture, and race. Panamanians are an eclectic group of immigrants from many countries and they readily accept other groups, cultures, and combine them with their own. The Panamanian lifestyle demonstrates a Caribbean rather than South American influence.

While speaking Panamanians often stop to give the listener a change to agree or disagree with what they are saying. Panamanians are polite people with considerate greeting and formalities in their everyday life. A business person always makes small talk with a colleague or client before discussing business. Panamanians are offended if anyone initiates a business conversation before spending time to learn about the other party on a personal level.

Panamanians of either sex may greet each other by shaking hands. Women friends typically kiss each other on one cheek when greeting and departing. Men and women sometimes kiss each other on the cheek. Two men always shake hands. Panamanians are very gracious and polite. They frequently say Please (por favor), thank you (gracas) and your welcome (de nada). Before joining a group of people who are eating or conversing a newcomer will ask permission to join the group by saying con permisoâ(kohn-pair-MEE-soh) the group responds by saying andele (AHN-day-lay) which means "go ahead". One of the major taboos is a discussion of personal possessions.

Another conversation they do not like is the discussion of the building of the canal and the U.S. intervention. Generally the do not like to discuss local politics and race in a social setting. The favorite topics of conversation are family, common friends, hobbies, interests and sports. Shaking hands when meeting someone shows good manners, and can be done in two ways. Either the American Handshake or palm to palm with the thumb facing toward the person. When Panamanians want another person to approach them they will raise one of their hands with their palm facing the other person. Panamanians have two surnames after their first name. The first is the fathers name the second is the mothers. If a child is named Jaunita and the father name is Chaves and the mother is Sanchetz the child would be Junita Chaves Sanchetz.

Sending (exchanging) gifts is common among friends in the interior, but gifts include items such as food or seedlings, not expensive items. The custom is a way of sharing one's good fortune with friends. It is not commonly practiced in the cities. Social gatherings in Panama have certain customs that guests follow. For instance, guests at large social gatherings introduce themselves to other guests and do not expect the host or hostess to introduce them.

Guests at these parties do not arrive on time even if the party begins at 10 PM. Panamanians consider arriving two hours late to be acceptable. At a smaller party, however a guest should not arrive later than a half-hour. For all parties host or hostess' appreciate a small gift from each guest. A father always sits at the head of the table. If the family has a guest at a meal the guest of honor sits at the other end of the table. Good manners dictate that guest eat everything on their plate. They signal that they have finished a meal by placing their knife and fork vertically and parallel on their plate.

Many Panamanians wear the same style of clothes as North Americans. Kuna women make colorful fabrics called molas. Panamanians are fairly conservative and formal in their dress. Within the city businessmen often dress less formally. For instance men often wear a cotton shirt called a guayabera("gay-ah-BAY-rah") which is a loose-fitting short sleeved cotton shirt that is not tucked into the pants. In some professions, such as banking and law, men and women wear lightweight suits. Panamanians frown on wearing shorts in public, no matter how hot is is. Men many occasionally wear shorts, but society considers in inappropriate for women to wear shorts or pants in public.

Although Panamanians grant leniency to tourists who wear shorts in the city and countryside, they prefer that foreigners abide by their somewhat stringent dress code. Traditional clothing for women is the pollera (poh-YEH-rah), a long, full dress of white cotton. Brightly colored embroidery accents the beautiful dress, and the women wear it for national celebrations, carnivals, and special occasions.

The peineta(peh-ee-NEH-tah) is the women's headpiece with the pollera. The peineta consists of veils or elaborate, large combs with dangling ornaments. The traditional clothing for men is the montuno (nohn-TOO-noh) The montuno is a white cotton embroidered shirt and short pants. Men often wear a straw hat called a pintado(pin-TAH-doh). This hat has a distinctive curled up brim and black patches on it. With this outfit men wear sandals.

Most Panamanians eat a great deal of corn, rice and beans. They also eat tortillas, which are flat breads made from cornmeal. These are filled with meat, beans, and cheese. Black beans are popular in Panama. A popular Panamanian dish is ceviche This is made of raw fish or shellfish that has been soaked in lime or lemon juice, olive oil and hot spices. Panamanians like their food spicy. Tamales are made of corn dough. They are filled, wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed. In Panama, it is commonly said that one hasn’t eaten if one hasn’t had rice. Rice is served with nearly every meal, along with a source of protein (eggs, chicken, sardines, meat, fish, or beans). Corn and plantains are also staples. Fish is inexpensive and often made into a soup. People usually eat vegetables as part of the main dish or in a salad. They often eat fruit as a snack. Chicha, a popular drink, is made from fresh fruit, water, and sugar. Coffee is usually part of breakfast. Common dishes in the interior include sancocho (chicken soup), guacho (rice soup), bollo (corn mush that has been boiled in the husk), corn tortillas, and guisado (stewed meat with tomatoes and spices). Arroz con pollo (rice and chicken) is eaten on special occasions. Urban people eat traditional foods as well as a wider variety of international foods. People eat rice with almost every meal. Beans and corn are also common foods. Guacho (GWA-cho) is rice soup with beans. Bollo (BOH-yo) is a boiled corn dish. Tortillas (tor_TEE-yas) also are popular. People make these flat breads from corn or wheat. Sancocho (sahn-KHO-cho) is Panama’s national dish. People make this stew with spicy vegetables and chicken. Panamanians eat a lot of meat and seafood. Guisado (kwee-SA-doh) is a stew with meat and tomatoes. Panamanians sometimes add fish to soup. Panamanian families usually eat together, they have a big breakfast. The main meal with rice, meat and vegetables is in the middle of the day. Families often eat a small meal in the evening.

Because Panama is an international crossroads, a variety of cuisines are available. French, Spanish and American food is available in all restaurants and hotels in Panama City. Native cooking is similar to Creole Cuisine, Hot and spicy. Dishes include ceviche (fish marinated in lime juice, onions and peppers) Patacones de plátano (fried plantain) sancocho (Panamanian stew with chicken, meat and vegetables) tamales (seasoned pie wrapped in banana leaves or corn husks) and carimanolas and empanadas (turnovers filled with meat, chicken or cheese) Panamanians have arroz (ah-ROHS) or rice with most of their meals. The eat the rice either plain or add meat and vegetables to eat. They often eat both potatoes and rice at one meal. Panama has an abundance of fish and seafood. Most Panamanians meals also include corn tortillas. Yucca is a commonly served vegetable.

Panamanians love to eat out. And Panama City’s residents have a plethora of restaurants to choose from. In addition to restaurants a panadería sells take-out bread and rolls, a pastelería(pas-tell-ay-REE-ah) offers pastries and a cantina(kan-TEE-nah) is a drinking establishment. Panamanians tip there servers about 15% of the bill. Panamanins eat three hearty meals per day. El desayuno(day-sigh-noh) breakfast, el almuerzo(ahl-MWER-sho)Lunch and la cena(“SAY-nah) dinner.

The typical breakfast is thick deep-fried tortillas, with a white cheese, sautéed liver, garlic and onions and fresh rools or bread. A typical lunch begins with soup followed by chick or steak. Served with a mixture of cooked rice and red kidney beans or pigeon peas. Salad is eaten with the main course. Dinner consists of meat covered with a spicy sause, rice and a salad. Dessert is usually fruit. Occasionally they indulge in cake, pie or cheesecake. After dinner they enjoy a cup of coffee. The most popular Panamanian dessert is sopa borracha (SOH-pah-bohr-RAH-chah) which is pound cake topped with syrup, rum or brandy, cinnamon raisins and cloves.

Family Life is essential to Panamanians, especially those who live in rural areas.  Many relatives may live together or close to one another. They especially like to celebrate holidays together. Many family groups are breaking up as many Panamanians are moving to cities to look for work. In the cities, wealthy people may live in apartments. Poor people may live nearby in poor sections. Panamanians are loyal to their family and have historically viewed their family ties as a defense against an uncertain and hostile world. Panamanians are often more loyal to their parents and siblings than their spouses. In many Panamanian families, particularly those in rural areas, three generations live under one roof. Family members steadfastly come to each other's aid if needed and support each other through life.

The cunas live on the San Blas Islands or in the Darion Region. Men dominate Cuna society and the family. Â The most senior man in a hut is the head of the household. When a daughter marries, her husband may come to live with her family, and the husband is subordinate to the father. The husband often tries to establish his household after a few years. The women perform the household duties and sew for the family. In their spare time, they make molas, often at night, with the help of a kerosene lamp.

The women inherit the land that they live on from their fathers. Thus, parents hope for female children. Most girls begin group dating around age fourteen. Compared with girls from other Latin American countries, urban Panamanian girls experience great freedom. However, girls in the interior are often not allowed to date until much later and are subject to parental restrictions.   The majority of Panamanian men and women choose their spouses. Couples in the middle and lower classes often decide to marry and have children together but do not participate in a formal marriage ceremony until years later. Most Panamanians desire children and celebrate their birth.  When a couple has a child, they take great care in choosing godparents. Most Panamanians believe that the godparents play an integral role in the child's life.

In rural society, men and women have traditional roles. The men work outside the home, farming and raising crops or animals, while the women stay at home and care for the children. In most rural areas, female education is a low priority for peasant families.

Futball (Soccer) has become the national sport. Swimming and diving are also popular. Many people like to go deep sea fishing and snorkeling as well. Panamanians enjoy horse racing, volleyball, cycling, and hiking. People in panama also like baseball, softball and basketball. Panama has more than 940 species of birds, and because of this, bird watching is popular.

Because there is frequently nice weather in Panama, outdoor activities such as sailing are popular. Baseball is the most popular sport in Panama. Panamanians learned how to play baseball from Americans who worked on the canal. People like to snorkel and scuba dive. They also enjoy basketball, soccer, boxing, cycling and tennis. The mountains of Panama provide a haven for fitness enthusiasts.

Children must go to school from ages 6 to 15. Many schools are public but some are run by the Catholic Church. In many rural areas there are not schools. Many children in rural areas have to help their families work on their farms. A student must go to school for 12 years in order to attend a university. People in Panama care about education The government spends a lot of money to improve education. Elementary school is free. The school year last from April to December. Students learn reading, writing, math, history and art. A law says that children must complete the 6th grade. Some families pay for children to go to private middle and high school. Many students attend colleges in Panama City. Middle School and high school are called secondary education in Panama. Students study many subjects in the first three years. They learn math, science, art and history. The second part of secondary education also lasts about three years. Students study only one subject in the second part. They choose a subject that will help them get a job after they graduate. The education system in panama is separated into three levels: Primary school (six years) secondary school (six years) and university or higher education. The first six years of primary education are required for all children. A high percentage goes on to enroll in secondary school. Panama has one of the highest literacy rates in Central America.