Panama Forum

tharin4prez
Joined 2007
Posts: 662

10 years ago

Get used to the wait ..

10 years ago

I often read some of the posts here and laugh to myself because many of you out there complain about how the beloved Republic de Panama runs their Govt. offices. Such as lack of computer networks, slow or lack of service personnel in the Govt offices, stamps for everything, copy fees from the clown on the corner, they lost my paperwork now I have to go back next week … and the list goes on and on.

Why do I find this comical? This is the place ‘YOU’ have chosen to retire or come here to form a business. Nobody twisted your arm to do so. Most likely you came down here because of some nonsense magazine article saying you can live in Panama for less than $750 a month!

Now that’s off my chest … here’s some things to keep in mind while dealing with the new country you decided to transplant yourself to …

When dealing with appointments or walk-ins to a Govt office. Take a number or sign in and wait your turn as if you have NOTHING else to do that entire week. Panama does not work like what you may have grown accustomed to in the USA. Things RARELY happen in one office visit. When you know you have to visit a Govt office, do yourself a favor so you won’t lose your place in line … before entering the office building, make copies of your carne, IDs, passport, etc. from the copy person planted on the sidewalk by the buildings entrance BEFORE going inside. Chances are you will need them while inside. If not, you only lost .50 to a buck. Bring snacks or pack a sandwich or two. If you didn’t bring anything, there will almost always be a vendor just outside next to the copy guy.

I like to do is watch how the others in front of you conduct their business. Often there will be another needing to conduct business similar to yours. Situate yourself so you can hear what’s going on … this may help to you keep from making mistakes. Folks, keep in mind, most of you are retired and have NOTHING else to do but business of the day. And quite often, that business may take more than one day.

Some of you may remember me saying previously to make friends with those you do business with. This also goes for any customer service person you may have to speak with. Remember, if you pi$$ them off, your paperwork will probably get lost. When your number is FINALLY called, approach the counter with your best smile, say hello and how are you. And I usually have a pack of life savers in my hand, and as I go to get one for myself, I first offer one to the customer service person. This will usually level the playing field especially if he/she just had a customer previous to you that was hard to deal with. Everyone likes a lifesaver! Gum wouldn’t be appropriate since its frowned upon for office workers to chew gum.

Panama is a laid back place w/ the mind-set of” we’ll get to it when we get to it” environment. You may even here the word ‘tomorrow’ used a lot. Tomorrow is used usually when they have no idea when or even if they want to help you. Please do not bring your North American ‘I want it now’ attitude, because that’s just going to make your process longer. Panama is a wonderful place to call home … but for a North American, you will need to ‘learn’ how to live here vs. acclimating yourself as you would in another country such as Europe or Asia for example.

**NOTE … I used the word ‘you’ many times above for simply pointing to those it may apply to. You know who ‘you’ may be.

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