The cubans I know

by Joe
(montreal)

I have been involved romantically on and off with a Cuban woman I met here in Canada for the past 12 years. I have voluntarily been in this relationship despite things I find difficult to accept at times. In my mind no one is perfect and at the end of the day if harmony exists the good and the bad should balance out. In this case they do. Without sounding stereotypical here are some of the obsevations I have made in regards to Cubans. I have made several trips to Cuba with and without my girlfriend. I have many Cuban freinds here in Canada and base my opinions on those direct experiences interacting with Cubans here and in Cuba. Please keep in mind that a communist system breeds the worst type of human behavior possible. Anything that we value in our society such as honesty, integrity, transparency, morality are a direct threat to those in power in a policed state, Cuba is a prime example. In my opinion Cubans live by the following standards of morality:

1- Dishonesty is not dishonest if it serves a self seeking purpose.

2- Lying is okay as long a you don't get caught...if you do deny it to the death.

3- assuming responsibility for any unjust act can be thoroughly justified with an absurd justification.

4- Stealing government propery to sell on the Black Market is normal. (Honestly I can't blame them)

5- Family/Household: Parenting is a non-compulsory duty of the biological parents. Most households are made up of variations of step sister/brothers step fathers/mothers etc. ect. Remarkably all in the neibourhood share close family ties.

6- Adultry: a practise seen as cumpulsory for men to do. Not doing it risks the label of "maricon" being gay.

7- Never ask for anything but make sure you drop enough hints to get what you want.

8- Never show gratitude. If you've manage to aquire something that's gieven to you its because you're smart.

9- Manipulation is a skill to be sharpened daily to get what you need.

10- Always smile never know who's looking or listening.
I can go on but will leave it as is.