Dining Etiquette

Panamanians always wash their hands before eating and rarely use their hands to touch food. Everything, including fruit, should be eaten with a knife and fork. When eating or drinking, they always use a napkin. It is not acceptable to use toothpicks in public unless you cover your mouth with your other hand.

You should plan on long meals (two hours or more for lunch) when dining in Panama. Business should not be discussed during meals unless your host brings it up. Guests are served first, followed by men, children, and women, as well as the cook.

Panamanians typically tend to eat quietly. It is considered impolite to burp or make noise with plates and cutlery. They have a habit of finishing everything on their plate. Taking more food than one can eat and leaving unfinished food on one's plate is considered impolite because it implies that the person did not enjoy the food. When dining out, people frequently raise their hand and motion for the waiter to come to them.