A Cuban living in Uruguay visited a market with his mother in search of fabric softener, with the intention, as he put it, to "smell like a foreigner." On TikTok, Yudiel (@yudielkaren1) posted a video where they pick out two bottles of fabric softener: "They only cost 89 pesos, there are more expensive ones, but this is the cheapest and they say it gives a good 'foreigner' smell."
Between laughs, the young man and his mother also decided to buy a bar of soap for 189 pesos, which they claimed would also give them the "foreigner" smell.
The well-known myth of the "foreigner smell" in Cuba dates back decades, when only a few people had relatives abroad, and when these relatives visited, their clothes and the gifts they brought had a distinctive aroma that Cubans quickly associated with the outside world.
Since then, many Cubans who have managed to escape the regime seek the famous scent abroad. Some find it, like the Cuban Malia Llovet (@maliallovetg) living in Uruguay, who explained on TikTok that the "foreigner smell" is one that reminds Cubans of a relative visiting from abroad with that particular scent.
"After years and years of research, and asking all my relatives, my friends, everyone, I concluded that this is the famous 'foreigner smell,'" the young woman said while showing some laundry products. "The 'foreigner smell' exists, and it's this," she added, holding several bottles of fabric softener.
Others, like Lisandra (@lis_blonde on TikTok), when she arrived in the United States, claimed that the "foreigner smell" simply doesn't exist. "I'm a Cuban who just arrived in the United States, and of course, the foreigner smell doesn't exist or isn't noticeable. Of course, the people who came to Cuba seemed very fancy, but here they look normal. You even run into people who are disheveled and have a bad appearance. The point is, on social media from Cuba, they look like princesses from a fairy tale. Of course, I don't have a job," she commented in the video.
Understanding the "Foreigner Smell" Myth Among Cubans
Here are some questions and answers that provide more insight into the myth of the "foreigner smell" among Cubans, which has become a cultural phenomenon over the years.
What is the "foreigner smell" according to Cubans?
The "foreigner smell" is a distinctive aroma that Cubans associate with relatives visiting from abroad, often due to the different products used in other countries.
Why do some Cubans seek the "foreigner smell"?
Many Cubans seek the "foreigner smell" as it reminds them of their relatives abroad and the sense of novelty and luxury associated with foreign products.
Is the "foreigner smell" a myth or reality?
Opinions vary. While some Cubans firmly believe in the "foreigner smell," others, especially those who have emigrated, claim it doesn't exist or isn't noticeable.