Panama's Verbal and nonverbal communication styles?

Question

hi i have to write a summary on this question and I am looking and I really can not find anything. If anyone knows anything your imput will be helpful.

Answer 1

Thieves typically stab you in the as$ just below your back pocket and then remove your wallet from below your pocket !!
Why? I have no idea, but that is what they do .

Instead of clapping or high-fiving for a comment that they agree with, they hold their thumb to the tip of their middle finger. . . and shake their hand vigorously enough to create a 'snapping' sound !! Why ? Again I don't know .

Certain peole of Caribbean heritage of Panama, tend to get very loud and near fighting when arguing a point . They get real animated about the topic, call each other names, come close to fighting. . . . and then it's on to another topic .
Strange, but true .

They open packs of cigarettes on the bottom, not the top .
Why ? Because there's many diseases in Panama, and if you were to borrow a cigarette, then they simply pull it out from the bottom, thereby never having their fingers on the 'butt end'.. . the part you put in your mouth !!

As a replacement for saying 'hello' or 'how ya doin', or what's happening', instead they say 'whap-ping mane', a loose translation of 'what's happening man'

I lived there for 2 years .

EDIT* - As a Law Enforcement Officer in Panama, I can tell you that every single word I printed is true and verifiable . Perhaps Monica(see below) lives in a different section of the country . But what I published was very common in Colon and Panama City !!

EDIT #2 - I can see that there's touchy people here . But don't let their hurt feelings, get in the way of the truth . Besides, nothing that I printed was intended to show dismay for the Panamanian people. . . that's ridiculous, because I plan on going back for a visit, and I too have considered moving there someday . It's a very beautiful country, with very beautiful and unique people !! But I wonder how many of these other answerers have ever walked the streets of Colon !! I'm beginning to think that they are either too young to know, or just don't live around the poor people in the ghettos of Colon and Panama City . Also, conjunctivitis(pink eye) was a very common infection in the years that I was there . And I ASKED Panamanians why they opened cigarettes on the bottom. . . and that's the reason THEY gave me . Funny how we let our love of country , get in the way of the truth sometimes !!

Answer 2

We do not have "many diseases" and we open our cigarettes at the top. And I've never heard of butt stabbings.

This is a tricky question, since one cannot generalize. There are great differences in the communication styles, depending on levels of education, social status, etc.

What I can tell you is that, like most Caribbean people (our culture is Caribbean even though geographically we are central american), we can be very warm and familiar. By this I mean that we tend to touch people when talking to them, we talk loudly when we are excited, we laugh loudly, and we use our hands a lot when we talk (we gesticulate), among other things.

Again, this is a descriptive generalization. I'm not going to laugh like crazy and wave my arms wildly during a job interview, for instance.

Verbal. We talk very fast, so we tend to cut words. We drop the middle and final "s" of words, of substitute them for an "h". Example: The phrase Muchachas bonitas (pretty girls) would sound Muchachah bonitah. Or "Qué pasó?" (what's up) would sound "Qué pahó?".

Answer 3

nicely in the journey that they run their hand below their chin in an outward route and do not look too delighted you've likely insulted them...or in the journey that they chop one hand in the elbow fold of the different at the same time as making fist or birdie with that hand, they aint so delighted then too. Italians are tender feely so don't be shocked at the same time as they comprise the double kiss on the cheek thingy, or want to link thier arm in yours even if or not they're male or lady...it replaced into always seen proper--do not problem they received't imagine you're gay and some may easily experience free you're. right here's a playstation from me too: How do you shut an Italian up? Have them sit down on their palms...LOL Italians are very warmth, loving and dramatic those who use their total body to precise themselves at the same time as they communicate. shame that way of existence is wasted right here in the west. you're going to love it. you'll not in any respect meet more beneficial welcoming and pleasant human beings and don't be afraid you received't insult them. they're used to travelers. And as my NYC Italian buddy suggested, study some niceties and do not ignore the MOLTO GRAZIE...thanks very a lot! Be prepared for a touch cheek pinching from the grandmas once you're a cutie too. LOL

Answer 4

I do not recommend to use Earnest's comments for your summary. If he spent sometime here it probably was within the US bases.

Monica gave you good info. I would like to add we are very espontaneus and friendly. You should not surprise if anyone calls you "amor" or "mami" (love or honey) without personal implications. We knock at the neighboors door without appointments and without shame. We are very but very musical, kids learn how to dance as they learn how to talk. We have an hour delay for everything, the "hora panameña" is well known meaning that the appointment will take time an hour after the scheduled time.

Good Luck!!

Answer 5

I'll describe it to you like this.We are loud and blunt.Some people find us offensive at times but we mean well. "Whaping-man is soooo early 80's,the new way to say what's up is "Que sopa?" whch is "Que paso?" backwards. I've never heard of butt stabbing and my brother in law is a policeman.

Answer 6

Go to

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Español_panameño

It has lots of good information.