the cuban milk story

We’re really lucky in Canada to have all the luxuries we want, when we want them. We’re also really lucky to have such warm positive attitudes.

They’re not really as nice in Cuba as I originally thought. It’s like they look at us and see only money…and they want it. I learned they make something crazy like $20-50 Cuban pesos a month. So, I can see why…

They do this thing where they say “hi” and compliment you, then they ask if you need help finding something or to buy something and then ask for money.

We met a real asshole on the last day. He started chatting to us about how beautiful Cuba was and that he loves Canada but it’s to cold for him. He spoke pretty good English and was wearing a gold watch. He was persistent and kept with the handshakes which I didn’t like.

We tried to get away but then came the pitch “No money, don‘t want money but can you buy me some milk for my baby”. I didn’t see a baby anywhere. He said it was to take to the hospital for the baby. Ok, fine, its just milk, gonna be like a couple pesos.

We waited with him in this line at a small merchant shop in Old Havana. He asked me to order milk and the lady gave me a bag with about 4 litres and told me it was $20.

WTF. How the hell can it be $20? I was pissed. I told him that wasn’t cool and refused to pay for it. He tricked us.

We ended up returning 2 bags and paying the lady $10 for 2 litres of milk to get him off our back. We walked away cursing the dick as he walked behind us for a minute before disappearing. I’m sure he went back and returned the milk for cash.

It made me look at the people differently. They’re not nice, they’re poor and hungry and live in shit conditions. They’ve really got begging from tourists down to an sneaky science.

It may be cold in Canada but we’ve got warmer people and attitudes.