"Alex, I'll take Cuban idiosyncrasies for $1000 please."
"And the answer is, If you give $10 to a Cuban he/she is
most likely to do this with it."
(BUZZ-contestant 1) "What is buy food for the family?"
(Alex) "I am sorry but no"
(BUZZ-contestant 2) "What is buy toilet paper, shampoo, etc"
(Alex) "I am sorry that is wrong."
BUZZ-contestant 3) "What is buy 5 Tropi-Colas, a pack of
cigaretts, some gum, and one admittance to the disco."
(Alex) "Contestant 3, you are correct!"
Come back soon for FINAL CUBAN JEOPARDY!!!!
[There are 25 posts - the latest was added on Tue 25 May, 4:23]
Use the form at the end of this page to add your own post.
Topics
| Thorn Tree
| Home
How sad!
Funny, but sad!
Yes, there is a painful irony in that. However, let's make
sure not to demonize the whole country or cast all Cubans
in one category. They really need our prayer; they have
enough jokes.
Let's face it
If I got a bonus or some money as a gift would I use it to
pay bills, buy food etc? Hell No. I'd use it go go & have a
good time, so why shouldn't they?
Bear in mind, we do have greater access to more money - so
we can afford to buy luxuries. If they make $10/month, and
they get $100 - don't waste it on crap. They just don't
have type of disposable income.
This sounds like this thread will go the way of some others
where posters will say how the Cubans shouldn't have this
or that, or that a MacDonald's in Cuba, or NIKE products,
or whatever is somehow detrimental to the populous.
It's like all those who are so righteous in saying what the
Cuban people shouldn't have, already bloody have it
themselves! Yeah, let's just determine what the Cubans
should and should not have, how they should spend their
money.
Maybe the post should have read:
"Alex, I'll take Western idiosyncrasies for $1000 please."
"And the answer is, 'How do you measure success in the
West'."
(BUZZ-contestant 1) "What is, doing something for mankind,
putting something back into the community?"
(Alex) "I am sorry but no"
(BUZZ-contestant 2) "What is, raising productive and caring
children to advance and take care of Mother Earth?"
(Alex) "I am sorry that is wrong."
BUZZ-contestant 3) "What is, use credit cards to go into
debt by leveraging yourself to buy loads of things to keep
up with your neighbors (the Joneses) making the same
effort?"
(Alex) "Contestant 3, you are correct! Come back soon for
FINAL WESTERN JEOPARDY!!!!
.....you know you're my man and all, but I must
respectfully disagree with you on this one homie. I would
agree with you, BUT when they start asking for things......I
think it opens the door to these types of criticisms. Yeah,
you need medicine or new eye glasses........but you have a
color TV and VCR in your living room!?!?! Granted, we are
not talking about every person who is Cuban. Instead, these
people who just think we kick rocks and find money
underneath have no place asking for things when they are
wasting money. It's like, "hey, I just blew the little
money I had on perros at Rapido, but can you help me buy
some aspirin for my mother, whose sick?"
Shit bro, and when ARE you coming back to the hood for a
visit, my point was that it isn't about the need of asking
for gifts or expecting gifts or whatever. The tone of the
original post was more along the lines of, "This is how I
see fit the Cuban people should be spending their dough,
whether earned or gifted?" My point was about the issue of
what the Cubans spend their dough on, NOT about HOW they
got their dough.
I quite like(d) the thread about "gifting" that you and
others addressed. I don't know that I can really spread
any other light on that thread. I mean I was one of the
short-timers with a visit of all of almost three weeks, but
I did manage to get off the main tourist paths. I wasn't
really hit with too much of this gifting thing, but then I
didn't spend too much time in any one place. Plus, maybe
by the looks of the way I travel, no one thought I had
anything to give. ;-P
Point well taken! Admittedly, the original post does
take on a tone like the one you described. I'm glad
you didn't get hit up too much for stuff. Perhaps
it's best that we all be 'rolling stones' when in Cuba
(and gather no moss). Because I'm telling you, give
some people an inch.....and they'll take a mile!
-
A quick story - on my very first trip to Cuba, I met
this one gorgeous girl. I was hanging out with the
two brothers from the family I was staying with. They
walked me up to Habana Libre and Coppelia (which was
closed at the time). Anyway, you know that area is
always packed at night. I met this one girl.....she
looked just like she was from NY! No tight spandex or
loud colors - rather, baggy jeans, short hair, etc.,
etc. So we're talking and then we all go into that
little club directly across the street from Habana
Libre. Bear in mind, I had no idea that women out
there were prostitutes. I thought maybe this is like
a Cuban version of South Beach or something, and
everyone just comes here to hang out. As we're in
that club (we were the first ones), homegirl starts
getting affectionate. I was kind of taken aback, but
I thought she just liked me. (Stupid me!) As the
night progresses, she begins to look sad and I inquire
why. She told me this heart-wrenching story about how
she needed money to pay her rent for the month - only
$20. To which I responded, "Wow, that's unfortunate."
(I'm trying to be the sensitive type at this point.)
She then says, "oh, so you'll give it to me?"
HUH!?!?! I asked her to repeat what she just said
about five times - but I still didn't understand. I
asked my friend to come over to translate. He
explained that she wanted to take me home with her and
that she wanted me to give her the $20 for her rent.
Still a little naieve at this point, I said, "I don't
understand. I don't want to be disrespectful, but is
it a custom in Cuba that you meet someone one night
and start supporting them financially?" Boy was I
naieve! Then he explained in this euphamistic way,
"Well, sometimes if you want to spend time with a
woman, you might give her some money." I then said,
"Wait, isn't that kind of like prostitution?" (Can
you believe I still didn't realize?) He then
said,"Yeah, it's the exact same shit." Man, was I
pissed! She still had no idea what we were talking
about, as she looked up at me ever-so-innocently with
those puppy dog eyes! Then I looked around and
realized that the whole club was filled with
prostitutes!!!! I didn't give her any money, but she
tried again the next night. I asked her why did she
keep asking me for money. I said, "I don't want to
have sex with you. And if I did, I sure wouldn't pay
you for it - I'm not that ugly!" She gave me those
same puppy dog eyes and said, "It's poor down here."
I said, "I understand, but that's not my fault." I
then gave her $7 and left her standing in front of La
Red ("The Net") - kind of poetic, huh!?!? While I did
meet the woman I 'think' I want to marry four days
later, I would suggest just don't get too close. Keep
on rollin' bro! (smile)
Hi Diago...
I have been following the posts for quite awhile now and
understand that you have travelled extensively throughout
Cuba and over a period of time...
how long have you known your girlfriend? I get the
impression that it has been awhile. Any particular reason
for only "thinking" she is the one you want to marry
instead of knowing?
Just curious as to what the apprehensions are since I
married a Cuban man and well, quite frankly I haven't been
hit up for anything by him or my new extended family...am I
missing anything?
This Diago man is a show man....I think he carries a grudge
against the cubans...I wonder where his roots are from? Of
course, he'll never tell for fear of guilt...hehehehee
Have you noticed how Diago has always some tricks under his
sleeve to pull down the Cubans? Just wondering! Is it the
truth or his jealous mind at work? His comparison are so
poor and vacuous! How could you possibly compare the
process of the Cuban revolution with the capitalistic
idiosincracy of the USA? He is wrong!
Have you noticed how Diago has always some tricks under his
sleeve to pull down the Cubans? Just wondering! Is it the
truth or his jealous mind at work? His comparison are so
poor and vacuous! How could you possibly compare the
process of the Cuban revolution with the capitalistic
idiosincracy of the USA? He is wrong!
I'm glad to hear that you've had such a great experience
with your husband and new in-laws! Don't worry, you aren't
missing anything. With regards to my girlfriend, I've know
her for over two years and we will have been
boyfriend/girlfriend two years in October. Maybe I gave the
wrong impression, but I have NEVER been 'hit' up for
anything from my girlfriend or her family. Her pop is a
farmer - and quite a proud one at that. In fact, one of the
problems I've had with her is her inability to accept gifts.
She really is an angel! But, the reason I wrote 'thinking'
as opposed to 'knowing' is because I'm scared as hell! I
don't want to make any mistakes (although I know nothing is
guaranteed), and the cultural differences are often a pain
in the butt! Having been raised by a father with a Ph.D
from Harvard, and graduating from University of Virginia and
University of Pennsylvania, I have a hard time accepting
excuses for why something can't be done! I've have
overcome countless obstacles by doing what I had to do -
no excuses!!! But excuses abound in Cuba! When something
doesn't work right, they just say, "oh well." And if I plan
on spending the rest of my life with someone, you better not
come with some crap like that! I can mess up my life by
myself, I want someone who is going to enhance my life.
Also, she grew up with a VERY machista father, who sheltered
her. Consequently, there are also maturity issues that I'm
concerned about. But I do adore her! So we'll see what
happens. Hopefully, I can have the same success you have
had!
-
Hitting Cubans: I'm African-American, 27 years old....and I
hold no grudges. I just wanted to get to know my people
throughout the diaspora. Actually, your post made no sense,
but I think I answered your question.
-
Cubandad: Ummm, what tricks? Please don't drink and type -
it's a dangerous combination.
Don't give up...
She may have been a raised in that environment, but people
do learn. Right from the beginning I knew there would be
cultural differences with my man and I, but we talked about
that and how have agreed to "discuss" our differences. So
far it has worked.
As for excuses of why things can't work, well from my
experience in Cuba, that is often the case but perhaps you
can teach your girlfriend that in North Americana we have a
different attitude. The point in particular has come up in
my relationship and I was quick to point out to him that
here is very different. There is an old saying "when in
Rome, do as the Romans" or something like that. After
explaining that to my man he was actually quite pleased.
So in essence, I think it depends on the individual. It is
not too late to do some "molding" of your own.
Congrats on your own relationship too! It is amazing that
when you plant a seed,something grows!
I like how the flamers will always come on to a thread,
make their flames, and then disappear without so much as a
"see ya". Of course they'll come back with a new handle.
Diago has only had a positive influence on this branch;
providing many of the in's and out's of travel and living
in Cuba...much of it I missed due to my short visit.
Sarah and Diago, yeah, that's the thing about marrying a
spouse abroad I think; the culture thing. I don't know, I
worry about a relationship in general, so add the culture
thing, oh well...guess it could make for an intense first
few years. ;-P
I've spent a lot of time in China. And the Chinese are
always saying how America is soooooooo great. I just kind
of shake my head, they really have no idea what it's like.
You can't even start to explain it. I tried to get a
colleague a visa who I really want to show the States for a
couple weeks. Just seeing blue skies for instance. Some
Chinese-American friends who still have relatives in China
think that the photos that are sent to them are doctored up
by "painting" the blue sky.
But I come to find out, after going to the US consulate in
Shanghai, it's extremely difficult to get an individual a
US visa and it's $50 a pop for the application process (my
colleague makes about USD$100 per month). I'm not sure
where I'm going with the latter so I better stop...
Diego:
Wow, I feel like we walked in parallel steps. I am 32 and I also have a GF in Cuba for years. This laid back attitude is pretty common and I know what you're talking about.
Wayfarer, I am a Chinese born American who served in the US. armed forces. I can second your observation that most chinese think anything American is gurantee for excellence.(silly people....) Only explain I can offer is the high value the chinese have for scholar learning. Although our public ed is a joke, the vast majority of innovation comes from the US. Until the chinese gov become tolerance of dissidents and encourage ideas, there is no competitiont on a global scale.
I post in the next as Retard Watcher to rebulk a moron call Che Jr. Check it out and tell me what you think.
If you guys can mode your espouso(a) to the ways of US, all the better. The Cuban had turn Miami from a swamp land to a hub of prosperity. I'm sure there's hope.
Joe
...for the support. Sarah, you're right.....a lot of these
issues can be discussed and resolved. But what do you do
when the person wants to retreat into a child-like mode, and
not even talk? Sometimes I think she's been sheltered so
much that she's scared to even try. Right now, I'm having
very mixed feelings. About a half-hour ago, I was about to
buy a ticket from Montreal to Havana (I found one for $220
USD roundtrip), but I haven't spoken with her in two weeks
and she has a calling card to call me. Now I'm thinking
twice. I think that maybe since the stakes are a lot higher
(i.e., the fiancee visa), she's getting scared and
withdrawing. And I've extended myself so much, yet I need
to be understood. While they have no idea how much we go
through to be there, they expect us to understand everything
about their lives. I just don't know whether to go, whether
to stay, etc. Sarah, perhaps you can offer advice from a
woman's point of view, but I just don't know what to think.
I would say go, but maybe it should be a "toned down"
visit, maybe to iron some things out no matter how simple
the issue. I mean you spent a lot of time down there last
time, you've had some time since getting back, and now that
the air is clear maybe really discuss some pertinent issues
and concerns that you have. I mean the Cubans are pretty
direct people, eh?
No matter how it turns out, like "they" say, "it's better
to have love and lost, than to have never loved at all."
A woman's perspective..hmmm... yes perhaps that could
help. Do you have an email address I can write to? After
reading recent posts, I do not want to discuss "our"
concerns so openly. No offense to the regulars here...it's
the others that concern me.
Patience be with you!
Hi Diago...you can contact me at this email address. Look
forward to hearing from you!
wrote that it was better to have loved and lost then to have
never loved at all (In Memoriam).
Wayfarer, I bought a roundtrip ticket from Montreal to
Havana for $250 (USD) for June 4th - two short weeks
away!!!! I'm going for it!!!!
The best I can do is $555CanDollar for 2 wks out of Toronto or $189 for 1 wk, (not enuf time) Thnk you can share the info?
Call Sun Holidays @ 800-387-0571 (Toronto) or 888-878-6764
(Quebec). Actually, $555 isn't horrible. Mine was $499
(CDN$). With the exchange to American dollars, it came out
to about $250. Anyway, give them a call and see what
happens. Au revoir!