A young Cuban woman in the United States shared on TikTok a work experience that marked a turning point in her life. The story, told with spontaneity and detail, recalls the day when an attempted robbery at her workplace led her to quit her job at a McDonald's.
"Why did I leave McDonald's? I'm about to tell you," begins the user @dillianissollet in the video that has sparked multiple reactions on social media. According to her, it all happened during a shift from six in the morning to two in the afternoon.
"That day I came in normally at six in the morning, and by seven, I had a customer at the Drive Thru. I had already given her the hamburger and was preparing an iced coffee... There were only two coworkers at the front when someone slipped in to rob us. And he was carrying one of those 'toys'," she recalls, referring to a weapon.
As she was making coffee with her back to the customer, her coworker warned her: "She's the one who takes in the situation and tells me 'run.' I left; I didn’t even have time to react to what it was... When I was going through the lobby door, that little toy went off."
The young woman recalls that she had never felt such fear or run that fast: "I didn't know until that day the speed I was capable of reaching with my legs... it was like being in 5th gear, going forward, what a scare!"
The fear was so great that she fled, leaving everything behind: “I ran away, I left everything, because everything is kept there… the phone, the bag, the car, everything. I forgot about everything else.” A customer who was at the Drive Thru also ran out and caught up with her at a nearby traffic light. “She helped me, she said, ‘Come on, what happened? Let’s call the police.’”
The woman, clearly affected as she recalled the events, explained that her companion took her to her apartment, five minutes away from the location, and that she could barely breathe from the shock. "I was so nervous that I didn't know where I was going to go."
Despite the trauma, upon returning to McDonald's that same day, everything seemed to continue as normal: “People were nervous, but everyone kept working as usual... the only one who stayed further away was me.”
According to him, even his family did not know at the time what had happened. “My family doesn’t know those stories because it’s something difficult,” he said. “One isn’t really prepared for such things… at least us Cubans. People from other countries have had the misfortune of witnessing things like that, but we Cubans are not prepared for it.”
He concluded his account with a reflection aimed at those working in vulnerable places: "Take care of yourself, remember that you have many people who love you... life is worth more than anything else, blessings."
The video has garnered dozens of comments. Some users highlighted the way the story was narrated: “You made me laugh, and it’s not about being glad for what happened, but how you tell it,” wrote @eliosbtrodriguez. “Little legs, what do I want you for, solavaya!” joked @Yarenis.
Others expressed empathy: “What a scare, I'm glad it was only that,” commented @lisamariemartin717. “The best thing you did,” said Cira Maria Fernández. There were also those who related to the experience: “In the hotel where I worked, I saw the same, even machetes and stray bullets. You would get scared of everything,” recounted @Tatiana Vega.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Work Experience of Cubans in the United States
Why did the young Cuban decide to leave her job at McDonald's?
The young Cuban left her job at McDonald's due to an attempted robbery that occurred during her shift. The incident left her so frightened that she decided it was not a safe place for her, choosing to quit her job immediately after the event.
How did the TikTok community react to the Cuban woman's account of the robbery at McDonald's?
The TikTok community reacted with empathy and support to the story of the young Cuban woman. Many users expressed their relief that she was not injured and others shared similar experiences, highlighting the importance of working in a safe environment.
What reflections did the young Cuban share about work experiences in vulnerable places?
The young Cuban reflected on the importance of taking care of oneself and valuing life above any job. She emphasized that life is worth more than any material possession or job, and encouraged others to be cautious when working in vulnerable places.
What perception do newly arrived Cubans in the U.S. have about work and security?
Newly arrived Cubans in the United States often experience a cultural shock regarding work and security. Many face unexpected work situations and must adapt to new ways of life, which can be both a challenging and enlightening process.
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