If you are invited to a party, never be on time. For dinner parties, it is appropriate to arrive up to one hour late if there are several guests, and up to thirty minutes late if you are alone. At large parties, you may arrive up to two hours late. Negotiating Contract negotiations take place at a much slower pace than in the United States. Be patient, and be prepared to travel to Panama more than once to finalize a transaction.
Business is conducted among friends in Panama.
Spend time establishing a relationship with your counterpart before jumping into business discussions. Have business cards and other materials printed in Spanish as well as English. Although a Panamanian may speak English well, he or she may read it with some difficulty. Latin Americans are sometimes sensitive about US influence in their countries. Business Entertaining Always stay at top hotels and entertain your guests at premier restaurants.