In a commendable act of integrity, a young pizza vendor in Cienfuegos returned an overpayment of 400 pesos to an elderly customer who had inadvertently paid too much. This incident, which unfolded recently, was shared on Facebook by the profile “Las Cosas de Fernanda,” known for its alignment with the Cuban government.
The elderly gentleman, having purchased three pizzas, became confused with his cash and handed the pizza seller an excessive amount in mixed denominations. Demonstrating kindness, the young man called the customer back, corrected the mistake, and returned the surplus, earning astonishment and praise from onlookers. “Sir, please take this back; you overpaid me,” the young vendor said to the older man.
Celebrating Acts of Integrity in a Struggling Society
This story is celebrated as a reminder that honesty and values taught at home still thrive in Cuban society. "It's rare today to see such actions," commented the “Las Cosas de Fernanda” profile. However, the fact that an officialist profile considers this story extraordinary highlights the severe deterioration of Cuban society, which is suffering from one of its worst economic crises.
Mayrena Rebollido, who identified herself as the wife of the self-employed worker at the pizzeria, commented on the post. “In our establishment, honesty comes first. We were raised in a different era, and we teach the youth the values we grew up with,” she stated. She added, "I'm grateful for your words; you don't know how much I struggle with the criticism of private business workers. Not all of us are the same; we are a hardworking family with entrepreneurial ideas, not born into wealth, and we respect the hard work of a diligent people."
Exemplifying Kindness Amid Adversity
Amid daily hardships, individuals whose simplicity and effort make a significant impact continue to emerge, earning accolades on social media for their exemplary actions. Such is the case with Mayito, a driver from Camagüey, recently recognized for his generosity and dedication to passengers. His work was highlighted by the profile Querido Lec Tor in the Facebook group “Revolico Guáimaro.” “Mayito is a man who doesn’t turn a blind eye when bus stops are crowded or less busy,” the publication’s author noted.
Despite the deep crisis facing Cubans, where it is easy to succumb to selfish and opportunistic behaviors to exploit others' misfortunes, or to display a bad attitude during work hours due to power outages or the scarcity of liquefied gas, some individuals rise above these challenges and offer their best selves. One such person is Dayma Fajardo, a young woman from Santiago, who gained admiration on social media after announcing she had found a cell phone in a hospital and was searching for its owner.