A Cuban residing in Brazil went viral after posting a TikTok video in which he advises against emigrating to the South American country for those who are not willing to work hard. Under the username @yondy.cubanito, the migrant shared an extensive message stating that life abroad is incompatible with leisure and a lack of discipline.
“Sir, if you are someone who likes to party every weekend, socializing with friends every day... it’s better not to come here to Brazil,” he says at the beginning of the video.
The Cuban, who lives in Curitiba, explained that many newcomers arrive with misplaced expectations about work and lifestyle. “Here in Brazil, you can’t afford to waste time because you’ll be let go,” he warned. “In Cuba, you work eight hours, but during those eight hours, you might get up to go to the corner store for detergent, or you spend the day with your phone in hand. Not here. Here, time is indeed money, and here, you really have to work hard to earn it.”
In his reflection, he emphasizes that emigrating requires effort and commitment: “Those who come with a party mentality and focus on social gatherings are better off not coming here. Here, you have to work hard.” He also highlighted the differences in living conditions: “Here, you can eat well, buy yourself some nice clothes, do your shopping... but you have to work, my friend. You have to earn every penny with sweat.”
The message, accompanied by the text “Advice for Cubans in Cuba who want to come to Brazil”, generated thousands of interactions and comments on TikTok, where the majority of users agreed with his perspective. Many stated that “no one can live without working in any country” and that “only in Cuba does one live off stories.” Others shared similar experiences from the United States, Mexico, or Spain, highlighting that hard work is common in all capitalist countries.
@yondy.cubanito himself responded to several messages, assuring that his intention was to advise those planning to emigrate. “We arrived here worn out from working, but we are free and have living conditions,” he wrote in one of the comments.
Among the few who disagreed, some pointed to the economic difficulties in Brazil or the low purchasing power of salaries, although they acknowledged that life outside Cuba means “working and paying bills.”
The phenomenon of Cuban migrants in Brazil has been widely discussed on social media, where testimonials from compatriots recounting their experiences in various cities across the country abound. In one such case, a Cuban warned in a video that "if your mentality is to complain about everything, don't come," emphasizing that "you can do it here, it may take a little longer for some, less for others, but it can be done," according to another migrant's account in April.
In another testimony, a young man working in a supermarket stated that "those of us who work in shopping centers, stores, and supermarkets do not have a day off... literally." He clarified that "I work rain or shine, because believe me, my hula hoop isn't going to pay the bills," as a Cuban in Curitiba shared in June.
There are also those who offer practical recommendations for adapting to the work environment. A migrant noted that “you shouldn’t be seen standing still for even a minute” and advised “not to talk much about personal life,” in a video where he summarized the work discipline that the country requires, according to his own words.
Stories of effort have also inspired others. The Cuban @alicia.laporte6 moved thousands by showing how she is building her house "brick by brick, with my own hands," stating that "I didn't come to complain, I came to grow," as she shared on social media.
Others compare their life in Brazil to that of other migration destinations. In Santa Catarina, a Cuban stated that "the south of Brazil is much better than Miami," arguing that with just one job "you can live well," according to another recent testimony.
At the same time, another migrant summarized his experience by saying that “Brazil is not the United States or Europe, but it is a country full of opportunities,” a phrase that encapsulates the sentiments of many Cubans who have made that country their new home, as expressed in his reflection.
The video by @yondy.cubanito adds to a wave of messages from Cuban migrants who, from different perspectives, share a common conclusion: life outside of Cuba is not easy, but hard work pays off.
Filed under:
