"We are to blame ourselves." With this powerful statement, Claudia Fernández, a Cuban living in Miami, explained in a video what she considers one of the biggest issues facing the Cuban community in the city: the attitudes that, according to her, some individuals bring from the Island, which affect their ability to coexist in a country that has welcomed them.
Fernández, who has been living in the United States for over 10 years, shared her experiences in Cuban-run restaurants, stores, and pharmacies: “They look at you with a scowl, as if you were an alien, or they simply ignore you because they are busy gossiping. It’s just not acceptable.” For her, this behavior reflects a lack of adaptation to the new environment.
In her video posted on TikTok under the username @claudia.yalorde, she stated that her criticism is not directed at Cubans in general, but rather at what she describes as "lower-class behavior" and bad habits that some people maintain: "This is not our country, even though we've made it our own. But we can't come here with all that negative atmosphere and baggage from Cuba and try to impose it here."
Claudia also stated that she prefers to live in neighborhoods with fewer Cuban people, where she can enjoy a multicultural environment and distance herself from what she defines as negative attitudes: “When I was little and living in Cuba, being gossipy was something normal. But after years here, I detoxified myself. I no longer want to hear it or experience it. I prefer a place where I can learn new things and behave according to the country I'm in.”
The creator emphasized that this transformation is possible for anyone willing to change: “Everything is a process. You arrive in this country, educate yourself, and realize how misguided you were. We left Cuba to succeed, not to stay the same.” While acknowledging that all Cubans carry some of this "chusmería" in their blood, she stressed that this does not mean it should be brought into public spaces: “If we are among friends, it’s fine to joke around, but it’s not something we should take outside or treat other people as if it were normal.”
As expected, the video generated a flood of reactions on TikTok. Many users supported his stance, sharing similar experiences: "That's why I left Miami; I can't stand the rudeness"; "In supermarkets, they treat you as if they're doing you a favor"; "Most don’t adapt; they continue acting as if they were in Cuba." Others agreed that the situation has worsened in recent years: "Miami has been terrible since 2021. Everything that has come here is from the underworld."
However, there were those who defended "cubaneo" as an essential part of Cuban culture rather than as a synonym for bad habits. "Not all of us are like that; there are educated and respectful Cubans"; "Cubaneo is not tackiness; cubaneo is having coffee in the morning, it’s saying 'asere' with affection"; "I am Cuban, and I have been here for 26 years, and you are absolutely right."
The debate continued among those who argue that the problem is exclusive to Miami and those who believe it is a broader issue. "The Cuban who arrives in Europe changes, but in Miami, it's Cuba with Coca-Cola"; "This isn't just a Cuban issue; it happens with any community that doesn't adapt."
Claudia, for her part, has stood firm in her position, expressing gratitude to those who have supported her and responding to criticism with a simple message: "Blessings."
Meanwhile, the discussion remains open on social media. What do you think?
Frequently Asked Questions about the Lives of Cubans in Miami
Why does Claudia Fernández prefer to live in neighborhoods with few Cubans?
Claudia Fernández prefers to live in neighborhoods with fewer Cubans to distance herself from the negative attitudes that some hold, such as "chusmería" and bad habits. She enjoys a multicultural environment that allows her to learn new things and behave in accordance with the country she resides in.
What criticisms has Claudia Fernández made about some Cubans in Miami?
Claudia Fernández criticizes that some Cubans in Miami exhibit attitudes that reflect a lack of adaptation to their new environment, such as mistreating customers in businesses and perpetuating what she calls "chusmería." These negative behaviors affect coexistence in a country that has welcomed them with open arms.
How have other Cubans reacted to Claudia Fernández's video?
Claudia Fernández's video sparked various reactions on TikTok. Many users supported her stance, sharing similar experiences and noting that not all Cubans are like that, while others defended the Cuban way of life as an essential part of their culture, asserting that it is not synonymous with bad manners.
Is there a general adaptation issue among Cubans arriving in Miami?
The issue of adaptation appears to be a broader matter, not limited to Cubans in Miami. Some believe that the lack of adaptation is due to many maintaining customs from their home country, while others argue that this happens in any community that does not properly integrate into its new environment.
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