A young Cuban has taken TikTok by storm with a fun video where she shares some of the most resourceful—and for many, familiar—customs that define everyday life in Cuban households. "This is what we Cubans do: make the most out of everything," says @darmayic, as she demonstrates how to cut a tube of toothpaste to get every last drop.
In the clip, which has garnered thousands of views and hundreds of comments, the Cuban woman lists several everyday strategies: adding water to shampoo, inverting the oil bottle for days, reusing plastic bags, and keeping money under the mattress. “If you have a shampoo that is running low, we add water... it’s not discarded until the last drop is gone,” she claims.
The video quickly went viral, triggering an avalanche of comments from people around the world who claimed to relate to these practices. From Venezuela to Spain, including Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic, users shared similar experiences.
"I do almost all of that and I'm not from Cuba," commented one user. "We do it in Mexico too, especially at the end of the month," wrote another. Phrases like "I'm Cuban without knowing it," "My aunt is Cuban and she didn't know," or "That's very Latin" are repeated throughout the thread.
Some even dared to joke about Caribbean ingenuity: "In Bolivia we do everything the same, just without so much art" or "That's not Cuban, it's Latin American survival."
Among the most common responses, there are also ironic remarks highlighting the contrast between the precarious situation depicted in the video and the protagonist's perfectly manicured nails. "Cooks with burnt oil, but has a perfect manicure," commented one user. Another added, "No toothpaste, but there are products for fake nails?"
This criticism has been constant on social media when Cuban women from the island appear in viral videos. So much so that recently, another young TikToker —@briana_matancera, from Matanzas— decided to respond directly to those questions: “Just because the country is collapsing, do we have to collapse with it?”, she said in a video that also sparked a wave of support and debate.
Her stance was clear: grooming is not a synonym for luxury, but for dignity. "Why can't Cuban women paint their nails or groom their eyebrows? Just because they live in Cuba, do they not have the right to take pride in their appearance?" she asked.
This phenomenon is not isolated. Throughout the past year, other Cuban women —such as @niurki2107 and @betsyrrguez— have gone viral with similar content, humorously and proudly sharing those customs that, although born from scarcity, become part of cultural identity.
From using a roll of paper as a hair roller, to fervently saving little bags or "thinning out" detergent with water, these gestures are repeated time and again in the diaspora. In a viral video from November, Cuban Niurki described these practices as exclusively Cuban, although her followers from other countries resonated with each one.
In December, another Cuban resident in Spain explained that she still uses mops sent from Cuba and cooks with traditional seasonings, because those customs connect her to her roots.
A recent case is that of @el.profesor.cubano, who showed from Cartagena how an empty paint bucket can have a second (and third) life in a Cuban home. “You can scrub this well and it works for everything: storing water, feeding the pigs, preparing salad, or decorating the porch,” he recounted with laughter.
Although the videos are often filled with humor, they also reflect a complex reality. In many cases, these practices are not just cost-saving measures, but rather ways to cope with precariousness through ingenuity. They are gestures of cultural memory, but also of emotional resilience.
For many women, painting their nails or shaping their eyebrows—even in the midst of scarcity—is an intimate act of dignity. For many families, saving jars, cutting tubes, or reusing bags is simply a way to survive.
As a commentator from Spain said: “One can leave Cuba, but Cuba never leaves you.” And as the hundreds of reactions to the video of @darmayic have shown, these customs, far from being exclusive, unite millions of people across the entire continent. Because if there is one thing we share, it is that art of “squeezing every last drop” out of what life gives us.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuban Customs During Times of Scarcity
Why are Cuban recycling customs going viral on TikTok?
Cuban customs of reuse are going viral on TikTok because they reflect the creativity and ingenuity of people in facing scarcity. These practices, such as adding water to shampoo or turning a bottle of oil upside down, have become part of Cuban cultural identity, generating empathy and recognition among people from other countries who also relate to these survival strategies.
What is the debate surrounding the personal appearance of Cuban women?
The debate arises because many people criticize Cuban women for taking care of their personal appearance, such as having well-groomed nails, despite the economic hardships on the island. For many women, getting ready is an act of dignity and emotional resilience, not a luxury, and they defend their right to look good despite the country's situation.
How do the customs of reuse manifest among Cuban emigrants?
Among Cuban emigrants, the reuse of everyday items remains a common practice. They maintain habits such as saving plastic bags and reusing containers, which reflects not only a deep-rooted custom but also a connection to their roots and a way of facing life with ingenuity and cultural memory.
What do reuse practices symbolize for Cubans?
For Cubans, these practices symbolize more than just a simple savings resource. They are a form of resistance and adaptation in the face of scarcity, an expression of ingenuity, and an essential part of their cultural identity. These actions allow people to confront precariousness with dignity and creativity.
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