A Cuban woman living in Italy has sparked a lively discussion on social media with a humorous video contrasting life in Cuba with life abroad. On TikTok, @bebesitaconcora shares scenarios familiar to many Cuban expatriates, prompting both laughter and nostalgia, as well as some criticism.
In her video, Ofelia poses the question, “Why do we get so stressed abroad when in Cuba we used to solve problems so effortlessly?” She then recounts anecdotes that evoke a mix of hilarity and longing among viewers.
Resourcefulness in Footwear and Hygiene
Ofelia humorously discusses the durability of shoes, saying, “In Cuba, if a shoe broke, you’d visit the cobbler 10,000 times, and that pair would last another 20 years. Here, a small tear means it's time to toss them.” She also contrasts the use of soap: “In Cuba, the same soap was used for everything—face, body, intimate areas. If there was no soap, laundry detergent did the job. Here, there’s a different soap for each use.”
Creative Solutions: From Toilet Paper to Leftovers
Toilet paper shortages were no obstacle: “Back in the day, if there was no toilet paper, you’d take a page from the Granma newspaper, dampen it a bit to soften, and use it. Here, if you run out, you just rush to the supermarket.” She continues with clothing and food, “Here, if there’s a tear in clothing, it’s thrown away. In Cuba, we sewed clothes countless times. Leftover food was eaten for days. Here, if an egg or milk expires, it’s thrown out; in Cuba, you’d remove the bad part and eat it like it was caviar.”
The video has drawn various reactions, ranging from laughter and reminiscence to more serious critiques. Comments from users include: “You’ve spoken a pure truth, blessings”; “I still save on clothes and food”; “Cubans are tough survivors”; “It's extreme poverty, but don’t take it too seriously, it's part of the humor”; “The issue is she’s stuck in a mindset of scarcity”; “We should talk about getting every last bit of toothpaste from the tube”; “Remember when expired food was still eaten?”; “Cubans solved everything, but adapting here is better.”
Ofelia Responds to Criticism
In response to the criticism, Ofelia clarified that she didn’t intend to stir controversy. “Sure, we don’t do many things here that we did there, but some habits are automatic even when we’re far from home. Don’t take it too seriously,” she replied to a follower.
With wit and a touch of sarcasm, Ofelia concludes the video by stating, “Cubans are born inventors; we truly escaped the devil.”