When we emigrate, we often leave behind landscapes, customs, and even flavors, but there are habits that cling to us as part of who we are. For Betsy Rodríguez, a Cuban who has been living in Spain for a year, the customs she learned at home with her family remain a part of her daily life, even as life in Europe offers her different alternatives.
Betsy, known on TikTok as @betsyrrguez, shared three habits she brought with her from Cuba that she hasn’t been able — or wanted — to leave behind. With a laugh, she mentioned that she still adds water to her dish soap to make it last longer, something she learned from her mother. "My mom earned a doctorate in making things last," she said, explaining that even though there are all sorts of detergents available in Spain at various prices, she still repeats this gesture almost automatically.
Another habit she maintains is the use of classic “mop cloths” instead of the modern mops that are common in Spain. Betsy even revealed that her mother sent her some cloths as a gift from Cuba because she knew how much she missed them. Lastly, she emphasized her loyalty to Cuban seasonings such as garlic, onion, cumin, and bay leaves. "I don’t know what all those spices they sell here are for, but I still cook the way I always did at home. I love feeling that smell in the pan; it’s like being close to my family," she reflected.
His video sparked a wave of comments from Cubans living abroad, who resonated with his words. “You can leave Cuba, but Cuba never leaves you”; “I love the floor cloths; every time I go to Cuba, I come back with a few”; “I've been in Spain for 17 years, and I do the same. Customs don’t fade away”; “I’m Cuban and live in Romania. I have a bag full of shopping bags, just like in the Island”; and “I also add water to the detergent and tomato puree before throwing them out,” were some of the responses that reflected this shared nostalgia.
Other comments delved into funny and touching details. “One day my neighbor in Spain guessed I was Cuban by the smell of my cooking; there's nothing like it”; “I've been here for five years and do everything you mentioned, but I laugh when my Spanish colleagues see me adding water to the detergent bottle”; “The mop cover is incomparable; mops don't clean the same way”; “That blend of Cuban spices transports me directly to my home on the Island”; “I also cook with the same seasonings and menus; it’s what makes me feel close to my roots”; and “I struggle a lot to adapt to new things; I feel that what I do connects me to who I am.”
However, there were also those who advised her to adapt more to her new life. One user commented, “You’ll see that over the years, everything changes; you get used to life here.” But Betsy made it clear that these small gestures connect her to her roots: “Even though life changes me, those little things that remind me of my family will always stay with me,” she concluded.
Frequently asked questions about Cuban customs abroad and the connection to roots
What are some of the Cuban customs that emigrants maintain abroad?
Cuban emigrants often maintain customs such as stretching products, like mixing detergent with water, using mops as bedcovers, and preparing meals with traditional Cuban seasonings. These practices help preserve a connection to their roots and culture, even in countries with different habits and available products.
Why do Cubans abroad continue practices like using cleaning cloths as quilts?
For many Cubans, using mop cloths instead of mops is a deep-rooted habit that reminds them of their home and family in Cuba. These practices not only symbolize an emotional connection to their origins, but also reflect their ingenuity and adaptability in the face of the scarcity experienced on the island.
How do Cubans react when they discover products from their country abroad?
Cubans who find products from their homeland abroad often experience a mixture of joy and nostalgia. These products, which are often hard to come by in Cuba due to shortages, evoke deep memories and emotions. The experience can be both rewarding and poignant, as it reminds them of the reality faced by those who still live on the island.
Why is it important for Cubans to maintain their customs abroad?
Cuban customs are a way to preserve cultural identity and maintain a connection with family and homeland. For many emigrants, these practices serve as a source of comfort and emotional connection, helping them cope with nostalgia and adapt to a new environment.
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