Are you Colombian?

Are you Colombian?

In the Hard Rock, there are all kinds of nationalities of staff. But the main two are locals from Panama and Colombians. Many Colombians come over to work in Panama City- not quite vice versa. 

Staying at the hotel for three days, I became very friendly with most of the staff. There were some presenting the “Panama attitude” and I tried to engage with them, but it went south. After a couple people, I just allowed them to continue on with their unfriendly ways.

When you need something, receiving food service, or housekeeping-the Colombians are smiling and happy to help you. They are always making you laugh, free-spirited, good workers, helpful, and caring.
 

One would think that the Panama locals would learn something from this happy and positive behavior. Unfortunately, they just remain cold and rude.  My friend Marco felt horrible because he said I was meeting the wrong Panama locals.


Again, I met nice ones, but most presented with attitude or with arrogance.  Of course, I did not get to meet all of Panama, but that was my observation.  The border experience did have a negative impact on my belief system, but I still remained objective. 

When it came to my interaction, I started to ask, “Where are you from?” They would say Colombia and I scored a point. After the first day, I didn’t need to ask anymore because I knew if they were from Colombia.
After studying their differences in behavior, it was clear who was Colombian even the reserved ones because they had good manners. I would share with the Colombians that I love how positive and kind they are and I appreciate it.  When I asked they what they thought about the Panama locals, they presented with negative body expression and no comment.  They would laugh and agree with me! “Yeah they are not good with people.” “They are not happy people.”

The Colombians did not favor them either and they had their own personal experience to influence their thinking or beliefs. Colombians have many things going right for them, especially their happiness, looks, spirit, and personality(oh I guess that is everything;)

Spirit of Flowers Bay

Oh the Coconuts 

Oh this beautiful, beautiful spirit selling coconuts and avocados across from the beach in Flowers Bay. He wore a Yankees cap and a neon green tank top.  He didn't wear shoes nor did most people on this side of the island.  As far as his inner appearance, his soul shined like the sun and he was so spiritually happy.  This kind of happy is the kind of true happiness pastor's preach about, authors write about, Dalai Lama speaks about, and people dream of reaching.  He was happy without material goods to make him happy.  He reached a positive, enlightened place.  Yes, he reached that place living in a poor area without a Range Rover, an Iphone, and a house. 

I sat with him on his tool bench as he was showing me his different shapes of avocados. It's a human trying to impress with what they have. It's not much, but it's something for them to share and be proud of, which is important for human sense of responsibility and creation.  He went back to get a knife in his shack without a roof or room rather it just had a bunch of tools and machine parts and pieces inside. He began to speak of his younger days where he visited Chicago, New Orleans, Tampa Florida, and Jacksonville.   With his great memories of the past, he feels content with his current life and work. "It's not much, but I get by," he says.  He doesn't speak with sadness rather he speaks with acceptance, faith, and love in God.  These are the people that lift up my spirit. 

Of course, I bought some avocados from him and he gave my friends and I all coconuts.  It was sad to part ways from him because I always meet these people and want to do more, but I know that God is taking care of him.