Two Cubans and two Venezuelans are featured in a humorous video that arises from a misunderstanding about the use of the terms “now” and “later.” A user named Oscar el Teacher shared the amusing situation on Facebook where the Venezuelans suggest going to eat.
The Cubans agree, suggesting they go “now.” Surprised, the hungry Venezuelans respond by saying they prefer to go “later.” “Not later, now,” one of the Cubans retorts. “Later is like in an hour,” they say. “Later is now, we're very hungry,” replies the Venezuelan.
At that moment, everyone realizes the confusion: for Cubans, “now” means doing something immediately, while “later” implies doing it in the near future. On the contrary, for Venezuelans, as well as other cultures like the Mexican, the meanings are reversed: “later” refers to doing something immediately, while “now” can mean doing it later.
“The word says it,” one of the Venezuelans pointed out: “‘Now’ (a hora) is after, in an hour, and ‘later’ is now.” And while trying to agree, even convincing each other, the Venezuelan said, “I lost my appetite.”
Cultural differences between Cubans and Venezuelans, particularly in terms of language, are notable. There are also differences associated with culinary traditions. For example, what Cubans call black beans, Venezuelans know as caraotas. Additionally, the latter often eat them with spaghetti and cheese, a combination that is unthinkable for those born on the Caribbean island.
In the same vein, bread with tomato—something that drives Cubans crazy—is a “weird” pairing for Venezuelans. This was evidenced in a video shared on TikTok, where a man expressed his bewilderment at his Cuban wife's taste for this unusual combination of bread with tomato and olive oil.
Understanding Cultural and Linguistic Differences Between Cubans and Venezuelans
To help readers better understand the cultural and linguistic nuances between Cubans and Venezuelans, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Why do Cubans and Venezuelans have different meanings for “now” and “later”?
Cultural and linguistic differences have led to varying interpretations of the terms “now” and “later.” For Cubans, “now” means immediately, while “later” implies a short delay. For Venezuelans, the meanings are reversed.
What are some other cultural differences between Cubans and Venezuelans?
Besides linguistic differences, Cubans and Venezuelans have distinct culinary traditions. For instance, Cubans call black beans “frijoles negros,” while Venezuelans call them “caraotas.” Additionally, Venezuelans often pair black beans with spaghetti and cheese, a combination that is unusual for Cubans.