Is There Anything Politically Correct in Panama?
(www.costaricapages.com) Generation X-ers in North America have been groomed in politically correctness. Apparently, Panama missed that class in school. Whether or not you even agree with the “politically correct” movement, for those of us who grew up being chastised for being “not politically correct”, Panama can take some getting used to.In any given dictionary you’ll find pretty much the same definition: Political Correctness: A term used to describe languages, ideas, behaviours, or policies seen as seeking to minimize offences to gender, racial, cultural, disabled, aged or other identity groups. For the most part, North Americans are generally aware of what words and actions are deemed politically incorrect and will usually avoid them. Panamanians on the other hand, tell it like it is. Convenience stores in Panama are called “chinitos” because they are usually owned and operated by Chinese people. If you are of a certain age group you will be called “joven”, meaning young person. This is not used as a descriptive term, but rather when you are being addressed by someone. If you are even slightly overweight you will be called “gordo”, or fat guy. Black? “Chombo” or “Negro”.
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The hiring process is not excluded from the practice of bluntness. Reading through Panamanian newspapers you will find many very descriptive job postings. My favourites read something like this: “XYZ company looking to hire a good looking female between the ages of 21 and 35″. When you do apply for a job, it is expected that your resume will contain your photo, and the photos is sometimes larger than your your work experience or education sections. If you are new in Panama, it can take a while to get used to this very blunt, tell it like it is culture. Panamanians don’t mean to be rude, they just don’t see a need to sugarcoat things.
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