A recent TikTok video has reignited a common practice among Cuban emigrants: sending anything that can alleviate the daily hardships faced by their families on the island. This time, the focus is on Walmart rice bags, which may seem insignificant overseas but hold special value in Cuba. The clip, posted by user Patry.tu.flaqui (@patry.tu.flaqui), showcases her friend meticulously collecting these bags to send back home.
The video, which has garnered over 330,000 views and 11,000 likes, features the viral audio 'tato qué es esto' and brings both smiles and reflection. In the footage, the woman is seen pulling out several of these bags from under the sink, ready for the next shipment. With the caption, "My friend collects bags to send to Cuba; oh my God, now I'm dead!" the humorous tone is evident. However, beneath the 'joke' lies a harsh reality: the severe scarcity on the island, where something as simple as a bag can become a luxury.
TikTok users quickly filled the comment section with their own experiences and anecdotes about life in Cuba. One user shared, “I went to a hotel in Varadero with one of those bags, and they took pictures for Facebook. I didn't know it was a rice bag here.” Another added, laughing, “Even my mom wants me to send them because they are trendy in Cuba now.”
Reflections on Scarcity and Ingenuity
Many users confessed to turning this practice into a habit, demonstrating how recycling any type of item is a crucial resource for supporting their loved ones. “My daughter and I have about thirty to send. I thought we were the only ones; it's an epidemic,” joked one follower. Another commented, “God, in Cuba, that's a Louis Vuitton.”
“I also save them for my mom; there aren't even plastic bags there, and at least these will last,” said another user. “Tato, you’re hilarious; I also send them to Cuba, and they value them a lot.” “Since I work at a market, they give them to me because I always say I send them to my mom; she might sell them soon,” another added. The sentiment is clear: “Cubans always think about family.”
The video by Patry.tu.flaqui - joining other viral clips where users show how they repurpose Walmart rice bags, especially ones from brands like "Royal Basmati," for sending to the island - is not just a display of Cuban humor in the face of adversity but a reflection of the solidarity of emigrants with those left behind. For many on the island, these bags are much more than a reusable container: they are a tool to solve everyday problems and a reminder of the support from their families abroad.
These discussions not only provoke laughter but also invite deep reflection on the living conditions in Cuba. While humor dominates, the island's scarcity is a serious issue that drives many Cubans abroad to find any way to help their loved ones. In this sense, the viralization of Patry.tu.flaqui's video shows how something as mundane as a rice bag can take on new meaning in times of need.
Understanding the Impact of Scarcity in Cuba
This section addresses common questions and answers related to the video's context and the broader issues it highlights.
Why are Walmart rice bags valuable in Cuba?
Due to severe scarcity on the island, even simple items like rice bags are repurposed and highly valued for their utility and durability.
How do Cuban emigrants support their families back home?
Cuban emigrants often send goods, including repurposed items like rice bags, to help alleviate the daily hardships their families face due to shortages.
What does the video by Patry.tu.flaqui highlight?
The video underscores the creativity and resilience of Cubans, as well as the solidarity among emigrants who continue to support their families on the island.