Panama

Introduction

Panama has a population of 2.4 Million people and is one of the smallest countries in Central America. It’s ethnic composition is 70 percent mestizo (a mix of Indian and European), 14 percent West Indian, 10 percent European, and 6 percent Amerindian. Panama is a multiparty republic, with a president, two vice-presidents, a cabinet, a unicameral legislative assembly serving 5 year terms, and a supreme court. The president is the head of state and the head of the government.

The official language is Spanish. Because of the extensive U.S. influence, most Panamanians are bilingual in Spanish and English. The majority of the people (94 percent) are Roman Catholic, although Panama has no official religion. There are also small numbers of Protestants, Muslims, Hindus, and others.

Fun Fact

Columbus reached Panama in 1502 on his fourth and final voyage to the New World. The country was first explored by Balboa in 1513. The Panama Canal was completed in 1914 and is under control of the U.S. . It is due to return to Panamanian control on 31 December 1999.

Appearance

  Conservative business suits are appropriate for men. Panamanian businessmen in higher positions wear suits; others wear camisillas (a lightweight, open-necked shirt that is not tucked inside the trousers). Women should wear a dress or skirt and blouse. Women should avoid wearing any kind of revealing clothing

  Most North American gestures are understood

 Panamanian women are taking more and more managerial jobs, but still it is relatively rare. Women should emphasize the fact that they are representing their company

 Have business cards and other material printed in Spanish as well as English

 When dining, the host usually sits at one end of the table with the guest of honor at the other end

 Foreign businesswomen should always include spouses in invitations to business dinners

 Gifts are not normally exchanged when entertaining

 Handshaking the custom; old friends embrace

 Titles are important and should be included on business cards. Address a person directly by using his or her title only. A Ph.D or a physician is called Doctor. Teachers prefer the title Profesor, engineers go by Ingeniero, architects are Arquitecto, and lawyers are Abogado. Persons who do not have professional titles should be addressed as Mr., Mrs., or Miss, plus their surnames. In Spanish these are:

• Mr. = Senor
• Mrs. = Senora
• Miss = Senorita

 Most Hispanics have two surnames: one from their father, which is listed first, followed by one from their mother. Only the father’s surname is used when addressing someone

 In business, conversations begin with much small talk

 Good conversation topics: family, hobbies, basketball, baseball

 Bad conversation topics: former Canal Zone, race problems, politics

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