A Cuban living in the United States recently took to social media to reveal the amount spent on what he described as a "basic" shopping trip at Walmart. The video has sparked a flurry of reactions from followers both in the U.S. and back in Cuba.
In the TikTok video posted by user @sergitosant, the individual details a list of everyday grocery items purchased, including bananas, tomatoes, eggs, bread, cream cheese, butter, mozzarella and Gouda cheese, milk, chocolate ice cream, chips, chicken breast, sugar, juices, coffee, and tostones, among others.
After scanning all the items at the checkout, the total came to $208. The Cuban then poses a direct question to the camera: "Expensive or affordable?", sparking a debate in the comments section.
"This is just a basic shopping trip," he explains in the video, showcasing the items laid out on the supermarket conveyor belt. The video highlights perceptions of the cost of living in the U.S., particularly among those who have recently emigrated or those in Cuba trying to compare food prices between the two countries.
Although $208 may seem like a steep price for a single shopping trip, many users pointed out that the quantity of products purchased, along with the variety and quality options available, justify the cost. Others, however, deemed it excessive for what they viewed as a "pretty normal" shopping trip.
From the island, where accessing a similar haul can be nearly impossible due to shortages and high prices in the informal market, some users reacted with surprise and resignation.
Sergito's video has amassed thousands of views on TikTok, igniting mixed opinions. Some followers in the U.S. agreed that the expense is reasonable given inflation and rising food costs. Other Cubans living abroad shared their own experiences comparing supermarkets and cost-saving strategies.
"The same items in Miami cost more," commented one user. "In Cuba, you couldn't even make that purchase with a hundred MLC," another added.
Amid the rising cost of living both on and off the island, content like this continues to open up spaces for reflection among Cubans on both shores about daily economic realities and the unavoidable comparison between two contrasting worlds.
Understanding the Cost of Living for Cubans in the U.S.
Why did the Cuban's shopping trip cost $208?
The shopping trip cost $208 due to the quantity and variety of everyday grocery items purchased, which included essential foods and some specialty items.
How do Cubans in the U.S. perceive the cost of living?
Cubans in the U.S. have mixed perceptions of the cost of living. Some consider $208 reasonable given inflation and the range of products available, while others find it excessive for a typical grocery trip.
How do shopping experiences in the U.S. compare to those in Cuba?
Shopping experiences in the U.S. often involve a greater variety of products and better access to quality items compared to Cuba, where shortages and high prices in the informal market pose significant challenges.