A Cuban woman living in Miami took to TikTok to share an experience she had outside the city, shedding light on cultural differences and the treatment Latinos face across various parts of the United States. In her account, the young woman, known as @marlan_estudio, highlighted how, despite not being fluent in English, she encountered support and understanding from an American couple—something she claims is rare in Miami.
The incident occurred in a waffle shop located in a remote area. While awaiting her order, an American woman asked her a question in English that she couldn't fully grasp. The awkwardness was palpable, yet instead of mocking her, the woman sought out her husband, who spoke Spanish, to assist in resolving the issue. "I was missing my caramel macchiato, and the woman's husband took charge of asking and helping me out," the young woman recounted.
This act of kindness prompted her to deeply reflect on the treatment she receives in Miami. "In Miami, people constantly make fun of you if you don't speak English, but here, that woman noticed I was uncomfortable and chose to help," she remarked. The experience was so profound that it led her to a bold conclusion: "One day, I'm definitely leaving Miami. I don't like it."
Shared Empathy Beyond Borders
Marlan became emotional while narrating this story. "It touched me because you realize that people who aren't from your nationality often help more than those who are," she stated, visibly moved.
The video quickly went viral, sparking a heated discussion in the comments section. While some viewers agreed with her observations, stating that mutual support among Latinos isn’t always present in Miami, others stood up for the city.
Comments ranged from, "I left Miami 13 years ago, and it was a huge change," to "Miami isn't the United States; it's a mix of bad habits from Latin America," and "I've lived in Miami for 29 years and have never been treated poorly, thank God," as well as "The best thing is working with Americans and staying away from Cubans and Latinos in general," and "Americans are very nice people, they try hard to understand us and don't mock us."
Reflecting on Community and Support
The post highlighted a recurring issue among Latinos living in Miami: the lack of empathy and mutual support within the community. It also emphasized the importance of solidarity and empathy—values that transcend nationalities and can often be found in unexpected places.