That was the headline of a recent article in the New York Times.
A dear Cuban friend texted me that headline and asked, "Why are we so special?"
I don't think she was really trying to start a political conversation because she knows me so well, but that's not important right now.
I responded with, "Because we can dance and have great butts."
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And that's how the crazy began…
I decided to have some fun with this today. (Thank you, Carrie for sharing your Cubanity with me.)
Here are 10 ways Cubans are special:
1) We can make great flan.
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2) We know how to curse colorfully.
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3) We can fix anything with duct tape.
4) We know the secret healing powers of Vicks VapoRub.
5) We make beautiful babies that smell of violets.
6) We have sexy hair.
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7) We smell really good.
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8) Our full-of-sh*tness is endearing.
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9) Everyone we meet is a friend.
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10) Our abuelas are amazing characters.
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Now it's your turn.
Why are we Cubans so special?
(Note: If you start going political, I will assume you have no sense of humor and I will be forced to delete your comment. Ya tu sabes.)
We are the French of the Caribbean!
C’mon, Cuban sandwiches should have been number one :)And the best puerco asado, congrí, ropa vieja, batidos (it’s not easy finding guanabana here in Boston)…
I still have the same Vicks Vaporub Mami gave me 25+ years ago when I moved away!
And i love the ¿Qué Pasa, USA? images 🙂 That was a great show but did anyone outside of Miami and NYC ever see it?
How about were so special just because we are! The Pearls of the Caribbean!
Because either we are too fat or too skinny.. Never perfect…
Everything friend is a cousin, aunt or uncle…and we kiss them in the cheek because THEY ARE FAMILY!
I meant every friend, not everything!
Brilliant response!
We know how to laugh, including at ourselves.
Love it !We are passionate about everything—family, friends, food, injustices 🙂
Because we have a way with words and when our words fail us sounds and gestures come to our rescue!
We have the best food, music and love of life. “Tenemos Chispa”.
We can speak sentences by just pursing our lips.
Por si no lo saben (just in case you don’t know) Cubanos ARE: Arroz con pollo, Salsa, Platanitos fritos, Guanguanco, “Biste” empanizado, Conga, Frita con papitas, Danzon, Aguacate con mojo, Bolero, Batida de mamey, Rueda, Arroz con leche, Pilon, Arroz con picadillo, Mozambique, Carne con papas, ChaChaCha, Boniatillo, Son, Medianoche, Rumba, Vaca frita, Mambo, Pastelitos, Muchos Besos KISSES y Musica Musica Musica…!
We rock red lipstick no matter what time of day!
Loud. Very very loud. (GREAT POST, MAMA.)
Asando un puerco is the best part about a holiday. AND we think guayaberas are perfectly fine attire for all events!!
El mejor cafe y los pastelitos de guayaba. The best espresso and guava pastries!!!!!!
We definitely don’t need drama lessons; we’re born with the talent
ESOESOESOOOO!!! Pero especially #10. You Ain’t Just Whislin’ La Guantanamera con ese Mujer.Don’t forget we are born extremists. O todo es un Dramon o Un Relajo- often at the same time.
Como siempre, #JUSOFONII !!
BB2U
Because we can make fun of ourselves and others and we can take it when someone makes fun of us
Because we are islanders, and island people are happy people. We are always in a good mood, like to have fun all the time and laugh a lot. Our Cuban coffee keeps us on our toes and everyone around us. Only a few qualities why Cubans are so special.
Because we believe we are the best at everything…and WE ARE!!!!!
Because we speak the best Spanglish.
Because we can send a message without words, using our own sign language (double tap of the elbow; two finger tap on the left shoulder…)
Because we make a party out of everything including funerals el cafecitio, las fotos de Los nietos
Because we are experts at everything…medicine, law, politics, the weather, fashion, and on and on….
Because we are such a unique blend. My Cuban born Dad, who can cook his butt off, is of Korean-Mexican decent by way of Cardenas, Matanzas. No matter the blood line, he is Cuban to the core! AZUCAR!
That’s probably what makes Cubans the most special, the blend ancestors from around the world 👏😊
We know how to make fun of others and ourselves.And we think we are the best, because we are. 🙂
Because for some reason when we are amongst Cubans, and we want to point out something about someone, we can just use our nose (as in that one over there) and the other person knows exactly what we are referring to. Plus we are full of passion about EVERYTHING!! 😉
We give each other nicknames and when you are asked their true name, you don’t know!Be aware when a Cuban mother calls you by your first, middle and last name, you are in hot trouble! My mom makes the best Mojito Criollo, it is a must at all our family gatherings. We are happy people!
Kim, I was born in Cardenas Matanzas. My grandfather ran El Bate Marino, which was a seafood restaurant close to the bay. Ask your dad is he remembers the Vazquez family.
We are quick witted and never give up! We are fierce and can smell if our kids are hiding something a mile away. Never forget we can forgive like no one else. Just look at Miami, the people who took our homes, walk freely and we forgive them for seeing THE LIGHT
Because everything we needed to know we learned from our abuelas …not a day goes by without hearing one of their familiar “dichos” …even when they are gone they reside in our hearts and are woven into our memories.
Y si no lo sabes, tenemos potaje (frijoles colorados, garbanzo, y frijoles negro), Ropa Vieja, Pudin Diplomatico, Flan, Natilla, platanos maduros, cafe con leche. fricasse, Arroz con pollo, picadillo, costillas de cerdo,yucca con mojo, etc.
Because we’re not SQUARE!
Because ours roots come from Spain
… and Africa, and China… we are a beautiful blend of ancestors from around the world. All the beautiful genres of music, and it is a lot of different genres, are a blend of African rhythms and instruments with Spanish influence.
But you’re right, the biggest influencer has been Spain, after all Cuba was its last colony.
Because no one else I know says “Que Barbaro!”
Because we can make a joke even of our tragedy….we have a million of Fidel jokes!
We make our point over and over again….and yes we are usually right!!!!
What other culture will raise their children,practically from birth, drinking cafe con leche
for breakfast? Now…..that’s pure, unadultared
genius.
Because we are from Cuba and there is no place on earth as special as cuba, there for Cubans are special.
Exactly LOL
Because we are the only ones the use the word Ñoooo!
Because no matter where we are transplanted, we belong and contribute. And more importantly “somos chistosos” because we appreciate a good joke and prank!
Because we speak with our hands AND fast. Our Cuban parents cure everything con un te de: Mansanilla, tilo, etc. Our Cuban food is the best in the world.
At a gathering, we all talk at the same time and have multi conversations which can drive crazy other nationalities. And….don’t forget the word Oye to get somebody’s attention.
we used to watch it every day in Alhambra California,the greaters show for people like us new in united states In the 70s, parecia que todavia estabamos en cuba,aqui si tenemos guanabanas frizadas,a veces vienen de otros paises
SOMOS ESPECIALES DESDE QUE NACIMOS EN UNA ISLA BELLA A LA QUE TODOS ENVIDIAN,POR SU CULTURA,POR SUS RIQUEZAS NATURALES,POR LA GENTE TAN AMABLES Y TAN LLENAS DE ENERGIA,POR NUESTRO CALOR HUMANO,POR LA MUSICA,POR EL AMOR,POR LA SAVIDURIA,POR SU HISTORIA.SOMOS CUBANOS QUE NO OLVIDAMOS SUS RAIZES Y DE DONDE VENIMOS,CUBANOS HASTA LA MUERTE.ESA ES MI CUBA Y DE AHI VENGO YO
Muy bien dicho!
That’s so nice!! 🙂 <3