A Cuban woman has sparked both laughter and reflection among TikTok users by sharing her initial experience at Walmart after arriving in the United States. In her video, @amy_te_lo_cuenta describes how she was taken to Walmart directly from the airport before even heading home. Expecting a small neighborhood shop, she instead encountered what she described as "a continent."
As soon as she stepped through the doors, she realized she had entered uncharted territory. The endless aisles, the organized layout, the sheer variety of products, and the calm demeanor of shoppers were a stark contrast to her bewilderment as a newcomer. “I felt like I needed a map or a tour guide,” she admits, recalling how overwhelming that first brush with large-scale consumerism was.
One of the most striking details for her was the size of the shopping cart, which seemed to be designed “to move an entire family.” As she wandered through the aisles, she was astonished to find everything from televisions and bicycles to tools and oversized cookies. “In Cuba, if you go to a food store, you’re lucky to find food. Here, there’s everything, in any aisle,” she reflected.
The most touching moment came when she reached the meat section. “The chicken was there, waiting for me, no line, no arguments. I felt like hugging it,” she commented. Her sister, familiar with the routine, moved on without surprise, while she filled the cart with a package of 48 rolls of toilet paper, just because they were on sale.
However, the most nerve-wracking moment occurred at the self-checkout. She feared that making a mistake would trigger an alarm and lead to her deportation. “My sister told me to go ahead and that you pay at the end, like it was normal,” she recalled. This stark contrast to her life in Cuba left her wide-eyed and with one certainty: “My life was just beginning.”
The video has elicited a flood of reactions. Dozens of migrants, particularly Cubans, have shared their own first experiences at Walmart, Costco, or similar stores. Some admitted to crying, others felt dizzy from the sensory overload. For many, that initial encounter with an American supermarket symbolizes the start of a new chapter, highlighted by wonder, freedom, and the ability to choose.
Experiences of Cuban Migrants in American Supermarkets
Why did the Cuban woman find Walmart overwhelming?
She was overwhelmed by the vast size, organization, and variety of products in Walmart, which was a stark contrast to her experiences in Cuba, where stores often have limited supplies.
What was her reaction to the self-checkout system?
She was anxious and feared making a mistake would lead to trouble, highlighting her unfamiliarity with such systems.