IL Postcard

The Locals Will Insult You...

Date: 07/22/2008

July 23, 2008
Panama City, Panama

Dear Panama Enthusiast,

"Hey shoe-face! Come here!"

How would you like to be called that—affectionately of course—by your new friends? No kidding, Car'e zapato is what the old-timers in a neighborhood called Monagrillo call one of their buddies. It’s "because he's so ugly," they say matter-of-factly, as they throw their arms around him and pound him on the back. (Handsome or not, his firstborn son is likely to be called a diminutive version of the word for shoe, like zapatito, from the moment he is born.) Around here, people are known for their sense of humor and odd propensity for giving hilariously off-the-cuff nicknames.

To live in this area you have to have a big sense of humor…big enough that you can laugh at yourself when the locals begin their legendary teasing. I wish I'd known when I first visited. I went down to the stately plaza for a jog, with "serious workout clothes" on and a "serious-don't-mess-with-me" look like one wears in the city. A portly man on a bench heckled me: "lift those feet, piojita (little flea)" and let out a loud "hee hee hee" at my startled look. My new friend called me piojita every time he saw me over the next three days, and I could hardly go on looking serious with such a ridiculous nickname, so I laughed…plenty.

They called me names…

If you come unprepared, things like this will make you wonder…"what am I doing here with these weird people?" Like every place, this is one that has its pros and cons—things that will appeal to you…or not. And if you find there are a lot of "pros," how do you decide if they are strong enough to make this your perfect expat haven?

The feature article in our August issue of Panama Insider is about a town deep in the heart of Panama, where the locals are known for being among Panama's funniest and friendliest. And though this place has conserved its small-town flavor, it's growing into a small city, with several hospitals, and clinics and supermarkets everywhere you turn. The best part is, cost of living is much lower than in Panama City…the property picks we uncovered prove that.

As always, we offer an honest look at cultural differences, standards of living, and the other issues you care about most. That's our job as Panama Insiders. We explore the nooks and crannies of Panama and give our no-holds-barred opinion… before the mainstream media catch on.

Thanks for reading,

Jessica Ramesch
Editor, Panama Insider

P.S. Access the August Panama Insider feature article quickly and easily when you subscribe, and you'll be glad you did. Unlike other publications, Panama Insider is 100% focused on the needs of potential expats like you, who are looking to buy a home, retire or even invest or do business in Panama. We explain the ins and outs of working and living here so you know exactly how to make your Panama plans a reality. And best of all, there's no risk to subscribing. Panama Insider is backed by our time-honored guarantee. Read all about it and sign up right here.