Panama is a country that lies within the Central and South America.  It operates a constitutional democracy.  The official language is Spanish.  Some 14% of Panamanians also speak English. Nearly all the ethnic groups are a mixture of Amerindian and other.  The most populous of the ethnic groups is Mestizo, which accounts for 70% of the population. Here are other cool facts about Panama you would love to know.

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Population:  3.864 million (2013)

Capital: Panama City

Currency: United States Dollar, Panamanian balboa

President: Juan Carlos Varela

Vice President: Isabel Saint Malo

Continent: North America

System of Government: Democracy

Official Language: Spanish

10 Cool Facts About Panama

1. NO TOUCHING

Touching is not part of the culture of Panamanians.  They hardly touch when talking.  They are comfortable talking while standing at arm’s length.

2. EYE CONTACT ALWAYS

Eye contact is the order when talking.  It is viewed as a way of determining truthfulness.  If you avoid direct eye contact with them when talking, you give the idea that you are unreliable.

3. RARELY TIME CONSCIOUS

To Panamanians, punctuality is not so much a virtue. People and relationships matter more to Panamanians than strictly following time schedules.

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4. WOMEN NEVER ALONE

Going to certain places alone by a Panamanian woman is a societal no-no!  Among such places are pubs and bars or to clubs.  A woman who goes to such places without being accompanied by a man is considered as irresponsible.

5. LIPS USED TO POINT

It is not only hands that people use to point at people and things.  People point at things and other people with pouted lips.

6. NO MIDDLE FINGERS!

Some gestures have universal meanings.  One of them is raising the middle finger.  In Panama, raising the middle finger at someone is a taboo and elicits anger.

7. OPENING SMALL TALK

Before every meeting, there is usually small talk. This is in spite of the setting or seriousness of the meeting. The usual order is that the host begins first.  It is impolite to usurp this privilege reserved only for the host.

8. APPEARANCE MATTERS

On the number eight facts about Panama, appearance and hygiene are of high priority. Even when the temperature soars and heat is terrible, both men and women still put on suits.

9. GREETING VERY IMPORTANT

Panamanians are highly sociable. They are very interactive, they greet people they meet when they enter any place. Doing so at all places is viewed as high etiquette.

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10. NO CATCALLS

Panamanians are conservative of old moral values. This is especially so when it comes to men/women relationships.  Men whistling and making catcalls on the street is unusual and viewed as an oddity.