The Cuban content creator @diane___life has stirred up a conversation on TikTok with her video explaining why she prefers to avoid areas with a heavy Latin presence, despite living in Florida. Diane voices her frustration about the treatment she receives in some stores in the southern part of the state, particularly from employees she describes as "rude." As a result, she chooses to live "among Americans" in northern Florida, claiming to find a different atmosphere there.
In her video, Diane mentions, "Many people ask me... why, if you are Cuban, you like living up there... you have to come to a store down here to understand why." She further adds, "Always, the unfriendly faces of those who work here, the mistreatment, the fact that even though you are the customer, they will pass by and not even apologize."
Community Reactions and Personal Experiences
In the comments section, Diane clarified that she was specifically referring to the southern part of Florida, while she resides in the north in a predominantly "American" city. Her video resonated with other Cubans abroad, who shared their own experiences and opinions about living in various parts of the United States. One user commented, "It's true, I live in Oregon, and when I go to Florida, it feels like I went to Cuba," while another from New Jersey noted, "Here they apologize for everything, I love NJ and I'm happy here." A follower from Iowa added, "I only go down there for vacations," highlighting the differences in treatment perceived in the northern part of the country.
Diane's Bold Statements and Community Debate
Diane responded to several comments with expressions of agreement, and in one instance, she summed up her perspective by saying, "There's nothing worse than your own kind." This comment sparked reactions from other users who shared phrases like "there's no worse wedge than that of the same stick" or "countryman killed countryman."
The responses to her video have sparked a debate on the platform, with many Cubans reflecting on cultural differences and their impact on interactions within the same community. One individual from Texas remarked, "Here I am in the United States, not in Cuba," while others expressed that living in states north of Florida has given them a sense of peace. Ultimately, Diane's message has opened up a space for many to question their relationship with the Cuban community in exile and how location can shape their daily experiences.