Mal wieder Carneval…

Moinsen!

Nachdem heute mal wieder der jährliche Wahnsinn startet, muss ich doch vorher noch ein paar Zeilen loswerden. hab ich ja auch schon länger nich mehr gemacht…

Also ich weiß noch net genau, was ich so treiben werde, aber wahrscheinlich werd ich mal in der Stadt vorbeischaun.

Is dieses Jahr zum ersten Mal auf der Cinta Costera, also dem neuen Küstenstreifen der Hauptstadt, allerdings wird die danach wahrscheinlich auch leicht mitgenommen sein, wenn nicht sogar schlimmeres…

Hier hab ich mal einen Artikel gerade gefunden, der zumindest für die des Englischen Mächtigen ein toller Einblick in die einheimischen Lebensweise bietet…

viel Spaß beim lesen und Helau!

<a href=”http://www.focuspublicationsint.com/New_Site/Visitor17-9/third.html#two”>

“One of the things that takes some getting used to in Panama is standing in lines. For example, every 15th and end of the month, lines can stretch all the way out the door and around the corner at most banks. Many wage earners obviously want to cash and/or deposit their checks pronto, but that does not mean the bank is going to put on any more tellers. Oh, no – that would be something called “customer service”.

A strange phenomenon that Ol’Jack still can’t get used to here is that pensioners (aka “jubliados”) are often given a free pass to the front of the line or even have their own window at the bank. This rare respect for the elderly is about the only advantage I can see to getting old.

It’s funny when you spot one of the ladies who are obviously trying very, very hard to keep “up” their appearance, if you will, who is trying to cash in on the “elderly” perk to move ahead the bank. If she’s had three face lifts, then she should have to wait in line just like all the other youngsters.

Not so long ago, I was in a card store hoping to buy a Valentine for my lovely wife. There were about eight or nine people in front of me, with little progress being noted at the cash register. When the romantic at the head of the line finally was able to complete her transaction, the saleslady made eye contact with me and waved. I didn’t recognize her but being extremely gregarious I smiled and waved back. At that, she frowned and gave me that get-over-here gesture that teachers and moms use when they don’t want to wait for a tardy child anymore.

Nobody wants to define what “old” is. Except for tellers and cashiers in Panama, who apparently have no problem calling you out on your age. Hunch over and head to the front!
Ok fine, I’m old

That’s when I realized I was being called to the front of the line. Even then, I wondered for a moment how my “jubliado” status was determined before it dawned on me that my gray hair and drool collecting at the edge of my lips was a dead giveaway. It was a turning point for me because I finally admitted that I look like an old fart buying a Valentine for my sweetie. I quickly paid for the card and hobbled out of the store feeling my age.
It’s just not who I am

The reason I feel so uncomfortable about getting ahead of the line is because back home in the States we call that butting. A “butter” is someone who unfairly improves his or her position in line. In England they call it “jumping the queue”; but in either place the perpetrator is usually called on it, by somebody like me, who will say in a very indignant voice, “Excuse me, but there is a line.”

This would-be “butt-in-ski” then looks around stupidly as if he hadn’t noticed and then takes his rightful place at the end. However here in Panama, particularly at the movies; at the gates at the airport or bus station; or in lines waiting to get into sporting events, it always seems that a number of pushy people feel no reluctance at all to butt. More surprising, nobody calls them on it.

If you ever try to wait in line at the counter at a “Chino” (Chinese mini-mart) you’ll soon discover that everyone else from kids to cops isn’t even considering waiting. Instead they all elbow to the front, flash the product they have selected and throw their money at the clerk. If you try to wait patiently and politely for your turn, you might never actually get an opportunity to purchase your cigs or a bottle of water.

The prime butting in Panama – the real criminal stuff, however, takes place on the road at toll booths. Seldom are enough lanes open to handle traffic. Lines form and soon become extended. Then here comes a guy is his dented Prado. He goes as far up as he can between lines or tries to skirt around and then fully expects to be allowed in.

What amazes Jack is that he so often is let in. Come on people, you’re either too nice or too used to being in a line so you allow this jerk to cut in front. I don’t want to read too much between the lines, but I say don’t give an inch. There is no need to leave even an eyelash width between you and the car in front. Why shouldn’t he have to wait, just like the rest of us — even if he’s an old guy?”