A young Cuban immigrant, who has been sharing his experiences on social media since moving to the United States, revealed he was left "shocked" after his first visit to a Costco store. Sergitosant (@sergitosant) posted a TikTok video of his initial visit to the renowned supermarket chain, where he was astounded by the vast array of high-quality foods.
The young man explained that he primarily went to the store for strawberries, although he admitted that he did not find the taste as pleasant as he had hoped. Despite this, he couldn't help but be amazed by the variety and quality of the other products. “Look at the size of these lemons, as big as my hand,” he exclaimed while holding a package. He also showcased avocados, oranges, tomatoes, peppers, and more in the video. He was particularly struck by the large quantities of meats, fish, and cheeses: “My God, this is huge.”
The young Cuban said he felt "shocked" to witness such a wide assortment of foods in one place.
The young man has endeared himself to his followers on TikTok by sharing his "first-time" experiences in the United States. One such experience was tasting his first meal from McDonald's: “I’ve never tried this because I’ve lived my whole life in Cuba, and there’s nothing like this in Cuba,” he said as he was seen enjoying chicken nuggets, fries, and a burger.
Like him, many Cubans who arrive abroad experience a range of emotions, especially when faced with the abundance of food in markets for the first time.
Recently, a Cuban woman couldn’t hold back her emotions upon seeing refrigerators stocked with meat in a U.S. supermarket. This emotional moment was captured and shared by TikTok user @pepecuban. When asked why she was crying, the woman tearfully responded, “Because of the hunger in Cuba, asere. Here, there is everything. This gives me goosebumps.” Her reaction highlights the stark contrast between the scarcity in Cuba and the abundant products available in American supermarkets.
Another young Cuban woman felt a similar emotion upon entering a Miami supermarket for the first time, where she admitted that the variety of foods was overwhelming, saying, “Not even Carlos III dared to go this far.”
This phrase references the Carlos III store in Havana, known for having one of the most varied selections on the island but still pales in comparison to any supermarket outside the country.
Understanding the Cuban Immigrant Experience in U.S. Supermarkets
The following questions and answers provide insight into the emotional and cultural impact on Cuban immigrants when they encounter the abundance of food in U.S. supermarkets for the first time.
Why did Sergitosant visit Costco?
Sergitosant visited Costco primarily to buy strawberries, although he was also amazed by the variety and quality of other products.
How did Sergitosant react to his first visit to Costco?
He was shocked and amazed by the vast selection and high quality of foods available at Costco.
What emotions do Cuban immigrants often feel when encountering U.S. supermarkets for the first time?
Cuban immigrants often feel a mix of shock, amazement, and emotional overwhelm due to the abundance of food in U.S. supermarkets, contrasting sharply with the scarcity they experienced in Cuba.