Business

• Relationship building is important in Panama, so initial meetings should be about establishing trust and learning a little about each other. Wait for the other party to move the conversation on to business.
• Meetings are generally relaxed affairs, but there is always a sense of formality to which should be adhered.
• Meeting schedules are not very structured in Panama. There may be an agenda and a starting time, but they serve as guidelines only and may act as a springboard to other related business ideas and further discussion.
• Time is not considered more important than completing a meeting satisfactorily, therefore meetings will continue until the discussion is completed.
• Be careful not to be too direct in your communication style - negative responses should be diplomatically put so as not to cause a loss of face or dignity.
• Most business is conducted in Spanish, so try and arrange for your own interpreter. Similarly, have any materials translated into Spanish.
• Do not rush meetings or show impatience.

Dining

• Punctuality is not expected.
• It is not good form to discuss business at social functions — concentrate on getting to know people on a personal level.
• Guests are served first at the table. The host generally says "buen provecho" ("enjoy" or "have a good meal") to invite guests to eat.
• Keep elbows off the table.
• It is considered polite to refuse food the first time it is offered and wait for the host to insist before accepting.
• Always use utensils — even fruit is eaten with a knife and fork.
• The host makes the first toast and the most common toast is "Salud!” When you lift your glass, look at the person being toasted. Wait for a toast to be made before taking the first sip of your drink.
• Never leave right after a meal — you should stay for at least half an hour.

Gift Giving

• Gifts are usually given at birthdays, Christmas and New Year. The general rule is buy good quality, but price is not too important.
• Take flowers, spirits, pastries, sweets/chocolates if invited to a home. Do not give yellow or purple flowers, as they have negative connotations.
• Do not give scissors or knives, as they indicate a desire to sever the relationship.
• Gifts are not generally opened when received.

Greeting

• The handshake is the most common form of greeting. Direct eye contact is also common.
• When meeting people will use the most appropriate greeting for the time of day — these are "buenos días" (good morning), "buenas tardes" (good day), or "buenas noches"(good evening).
• People with an informal relationship will be warmer and embrace or pat each other on the shoulder. Women will kiss on the cheek.
• Panamanians use both their maternal and paternal surnames. The father's surname is listed first and is the one used in conversation.
• When a woman gets married, she usually adds her husband's first surname to her first surname with the connector "de", so if Jennifer Maria Suarez marries Manuel Sebastian Costa, she would be called Jennifer Maria de Costa.