Elieser Estrada Rodriguez, a Cuban resident of Texas, responded to some comments on TikTok that said "Texas is Cuba" and "Miami is Miami." These messages led him to compare the differences between living in the two places.
In his TikTok profile, @eliesersagitar, he begins the video by saying, "I don't know what people who comment have in their heads. I'm not going to promote the state of Texas, but I'm going to show you with two videos the difference between Texas and Miami and if Texas really resembles Cuba." He then shows two viral videos. The first was filmed at a driver's license office in Miami where there was a conflict with one of the people in line.
"I've been to the driver's license office several times and I've never seen anything like that. Maybe they don't speak to you in Spanish and they speak seriously, but I've never seen such behavior. That lack of manners, seeing that is shocking to me," noted the Cuban, who then commented on another video of a confrontation in a supermarket. "In all the stores, I've never seen that kind of exchange. That bad attitude, that rudeness. Do I want Miami for that? And you see that in Miami constantly. Being in Miami is like being in Cuba," he asserted.
"I know Miami is not all of Florida, but I'm staying here in Texas," he concluded. Following these statements, many Cubans shared their experiences in the comments. "Until they leave Miami, they won't understand what you're saying," "I've lived in Texas for years and wouldn't trade it for any other state. Miami only for visits," "I lived 11 years in Miami, now 10 in Texas and regret not coming sooner," "Just like that, I've never seen that kind of rudeness here in Texas and I'm afraid it will become like that because of the number of Cubans arriving," or "You're absolutely right, I love Texas."
Comparing Life in Texas and Miami for Cuban Residents
The following questions and answers provide further insights into the experiences of Cuban residents comparing life in Texas and Miami.
Why do some Cubans prefer living in Texas over Miami?
Many Cubans prefer Texas due to perceived better manners, less conflict, and a more respectful environment compared to Miami.
What specific incidents were highlighted by Elieser Estrada Rodriguez?
Elieser highlighted conflicts in a Miami driver's license office and a supermarket, contrasting them with his more peaceful experiences in Texas.
How have other Cubans reacted to Elieser's statements?
Many Cubans shared similar sentiments, expressing a preference for Texas and agreeing with Elieser's observations about Miami.