Honking car horns are a way of life in Panama. They are most important when traffic is totally stopped, there is absolutely no place to go, so everyone honks their horn. Most Gringos are conditioned to think that if they hear a car horn, they have done something wrong or are in danger. Not so in Panama. It can often mean, “I am coming by on the left”, or “Do you want a taxi?”(if walking) or “You are really hot”(female walking). Panamanians love their car horns.
Traffic Lanes
Panamanians will make a traffic lane out of anything. Road shoulders, sidewalks, literally any place that can support four tires (and sometimes only 2) can be a traffic lane. There is no regard to the fact that at some point the shoulder will disappear and all traffic must merge into actual lanes thus making the traffic jam way worse than it actually had to be.
Open Holes in Sidewalks
Throughout Panama there are numerous open, unmarked holes in sidewalks. You have got to love a country where the philosophy is: If you are too stupid not to fall into an open hole, then you deserve what you get.
The Canal
A main source of pride for Panamanians is The Panama Canal. Rarely is a country so dependent on a single source of income. And Panamanians appreciate it. To work at the canal is one of the most sought after positions in the country. Working at the canal immediately vaults a Panamanian into an elevated social status.
Employment
Panamanians are extremely proud of the low unemployment rate in Panama. The unemployment rate hovers around 4%, the lowest in Central America. It matters little that there are maybe 4 people doing the job of 1, everyone is employed and proud of it. You realize this if you go into the Do It Center on Sunday and there are literally 2 clerks on each isle trying to “help” you as you pass through.
