National traditions of Cuba. Habits, mentality and the way of living

Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean Sea. It is located in the north-west of the sea. They say that Cubans have hard lives. This is a well-known fact that doesn’t need any proof nevertheless local people stay friendly and calm despite all troubles. No one knows whether mild climate and mostly sunny weather all year round are responsible for the cheerful national character of the Liberty Island. We can say one thing for sure – Cuba is home to hospitable and welcoming people who smile a lot. Cubans can sing, dance, and play musical instruments at any time of the day. They do not need a stage or any special venue to show how naturally gifted they are. Parks and balconies, buses and waterfronts, stairs and inner yards of residential buildings are suitable for these spontaneous performances.

Neither age nor gender is important. A Cuban can start dancing even at work when he or she hears rhythmical music. Some tourists consider such behavior strange at the start but they quickly realize that it is hard to stay detached. Local music is so pleasant and sincere that this is a universal mood raiser for both foreign guests and locals. Classic ballet dancing is very popular in Cuba. There is even an internationally famous ballet school here. Education is free for Cubans. To get enrolled in any university, applicants need to take tests in mathematics, the history of Cuba, and Spanish.

Cubans are tidy and pay attention to their look. This is equally true for men and women. Don’t be surprised to find such treatments as hair removal for men. Even male brow grooming is not rare here. Cuban men are interested in their looks just as much as Cuban women. Local rum is very popular in Cuba, as well as cocktails with this ingredient. Some cocktails such as Daiquiri or Cuba Libre have become popular beyond the island. Despite their love for drinks containing rum, it is almost impossible to see a drunken Cuban person. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

When exploring Havana’s quarters, don’t be surprised if you notice that not all windows have glazing. Local people often use wooden or iron blinders to replace the glass or can even cover windows with plywood. Poverty is not the only reason for this. Actually, many people simply do not need glass in their windows. The weather is never cold in Cuba. It was snowing on the island for the last time in the 19th century, in 1857. Just like in northern countries where schools are closed when it is very cold, schools in Cuba can close because of heavy rain.

Cellphones are not very widespread in the country. There is a government-imposed limit on the number of issued sim cards. The rule is simple – one person – one sim card. However, not every Cuban family can afford even one cellphone because they are very expensive on the island. Even a good salary in Cuba is not enough to buy a cellphone. For example, a policeman earns 36 dollars a month, a doctor earns 24 dollars a month, and a school teacher – only 16 dollars. One US dollar is equal to 24 Cuban pesos, also known as CUP. This currency is used for domestic payments only. For European travelers, the salaries in Cuba seem to be very small. Indeed, it is impossible to buy a cellphone made outside Cuba for the majority of local people, but this doesn’t mean that this small income is not enough to survive.

Most people have enough money for food. The thing is, the government issues special coupons for such basic food as bread, chicken, butter, rice, etc. – the list is quite long. The price of food is very low if you buy it with the food coupon. The electricity bill for an apartment with the frequently working air conditioning is rarely above one dollar. This price is expensive for many people, but air conditioning is not needed for an apartment that doesn’t have glass windows. Yes, local salaries are very small, but the situation is not as tragic as it might look.

Locals working in tourism earn significantly more. These people can earn convertible peso, CUC. This is a currency specifically for tourists. Locals call it cuc or chavito. This convertible peso is equal to the US dollar, and this is the currency that tourists get in exchange offices. The purchasing power of CUC is 24 times more than the purchasing power of CUP. That is why don’t be surprised when waiters in restaurants somewhat shamelessly ask for tips. They will do their best to get a tip equal to 5%-10% or even 15% of the bill.

Musicians in restaurants do not wait long for the reward for their performance. They openly remind visitors that they expect a tip for their efforts. Street musicians can also hint on a small tip. One, five, or even ten US dollars is not a critically large sum for tourists. For example, a mere sun lounger on the beaches of Saint Thomas (the U.S. Virgin Islands), which is also in the Caribbean, costs 6 to 8 dollars a day. In Cuba, this sum can be almost equal to a monthly salary for some people, so no wonder why Cubans do not miss an opportunity to earn.

There are many stray cats in Cuba. As the government doesn’t have any programs to look after these stray animals, armies of cats and dogs try to survive on the streets. As Cubans prefer dogs to cats, the latter often hide and ask tourists for food. The country is famous for its quality medicine. Foreigners, who are aware of this, often visit Cuba for medical purposes. Cuba is safer than many other countries. Cubans are not aggressive, so tourists can enjoy their trouble-free recreation in parks and on waterfronts. Moreover, the punishment for crimes is severe, so locals prefer to live honestly. Of course, there might be pickpockets in public places, but thieves exist in any place with careless tourists who do not guard their pockets and bags in crowded places.