A Cuban woman known as @lizeboutique on TikTok took to the platform to share her disillusioning experience at a Miami car wash, sparking a conversation about the American work ethic. In an earlier video, Liz recounted how her regular car wash let her down when she requested meticulous cleaning, only to receive subpar service. Noticing the trunk was left untouched, she was handed a rag by an employee who said, "Here, take this rag and clean up what you see dirty." With a mix of humor and frustration, she retorted, "Roberto, what did I pay you for? What exactly did you do to the car?"
In a follow-up video, she delved deeper into what she perceives as a widespread lack of dedication to work in the United States. "Nowadays, people don't have the mindset to earn their dollars," she remarked, reflecting on her early days in the country when she worked regardless of the job type. "If you washed cars, you washed cars. If you worked at McDonald's, you worked at McDonald's," she stated, pointing out that the idea of a "shameful job" didn't exist back then.
Changing Attitudes Toward Work
Liz was particularly critical of those who dismiss jobs for not meeting certain standards: "If you were a professional in your country but can't find that opportunity here, what do you prefer: to earn money or earn nothing?" She also warned business owners against over-relying on employees, suggesting that the service industry is "getting worse" because many workers seem uninterested in putting in the effort.
The video sparked numerous reactions. Some agreed, blaming the issue on a lack of work commitment. "Customer service is dead," lamented one user, while another shared, "When I arrived, I worked at whatever came my way. It was less than the minimum, but it was money I didn't have." Another commenter, a nurse, said, "I'm not ashamed. If I have to care for patients, I do it gladly because it’s my job."
Roots of the Problem
The discussion also prompted debates about the root cause. One of Liz's followers argued, "Communism conditioned people to live without working, but that doesn't work here," while another pointed out that owners share the blame: "If the owner isn't attentive, employees will ruin the business." Others see the situation as reflecting a cultural shift: "The spirit of sacrifice is lost," observed another user.
Among supporters, a follower shared her personal journey: "I was a doctor in Cuba, and here I started in construction. I'm not ashamed; now I own my business, but it was all about hard work."
With her videos, Liz has struck a chord among those witnessing the evolving work ethic in Miami. As she herself puts it, "The master's eye fattens the horse, and if you leave everything to the employees, your business will sink." Are today's business owners and employees ready to embrace the commitment that's needed?