Come again??

MrsJuneHawk · March 2010

I was having a conversation today with a fellow student. Somehow it came up that I was born in Cuba etc. Then he said "I guess you're one of the good ones". Come again? When I asked what he meant he turned all shades of red but I have my theories. I suppose he meant that since I was in the military, go to school, etc "I'm one of the good ones" ie not a crook, lazy immigrant, whatever. I may be way off base but that's the impression I got and it grated me.

Would you have gotten the same impression or am I overreacting?

MrsLeanna · March 2010

I would have gotten the same impression. As is, one of the "educated" ones. Was the other person cuban also? I think there is definitely a stereotype out there and its a shame. I also think that a lot of us (cubans) bash each other for many reasons; religion, politics, work ethic, who came when, how, why? etc.

I would have been offended.

cocojack10 · March 2010

Well, not trying to generalize, (and again, I'm from Cuban decent) the Cubans that come over today, are a lot different than the Cuban from my parents generation. I think tha the Cuban that came in the 60-70s are all hard working, ambitious individuals.

The Cuban that comes today, is different. I think since they lack a lot over there, they have had to fen for themselves, and resort to stealing, etc just to have food for their family. And since that is what they saw, they may not know any different. Again, I know there is exceptions to the rule, and there are still amazing Cubans.

::off to flame resistant suit on::

MrsJuneHawk · March 2010

cocojack10:
Well, not trying to generalize, (and again, I'm from Cuban decent) the Cubans that come over today, are a lot different than the Cuban from my parents generation. I think tha the Cuban that came in the 60-70s are all hard working, ambitious individuals.

The Cuban that comes today, is different. I think since they lack a lot over there, they have had to fen for themselves, and resort to stealing, etc just to have food for their family. And since that is what they saw, they may not know any different. Again, I know there is exceptions to the rule, and there are still amazing Cubans.

::off to flame resistant suit on::

Unfortunately, I believe that is the case too and I have seen it, much to my horror, in my own family.

This guy is not Cuban.

MrsJOSEnADRI · March 2010

I agree with Leanna and Jackie.

I would've gotten the impression from the comment that he sees you as one of the educated, well-mannered ones. Unfortunately, like in any culture/nationality, there are the ones that give the rest a bad image. Even when I was in Italy, we met several Cubans that had left Cuba and had gone straight to Italy and they were bashing the Miami Cubans. Then, the older and younger generations are also very different and have issues with each other. Even DH has issues with some Cubans, especially the ones that tell him he's too white to be Dominican. We even had an electrician come to the house the other day. He thought that DH was Cuban and he started ranting about how Cubans are the only ones that come to this country and make something for themselves, work hard, etc. DH didn't want to get into it so he just let the guy ramble, but he was totally insulted by everything the guy was saying and the fact that the guy was trying to rip us off and didn't finish what he had started. Unfortunately, it's people like that that give Cubans a bad image to people that come from other countries to Miami.

MellyMelB · March 2010

cocojack10:

Well, not trying to generalize, (and again, I'm from Cuban decent) the Cubans that come over today, are a lot different than the Cuban from my parents generation. I think tha the Cuban that came in the 60-70s are all hard working, ambitious individuals.

The Cuban that comes today, is different. I think since they lack a lot over there, they have had to fen for themselves, and resort to stealing, etc just to have food for their family. And since that is what they saw, they may not know any different. Again, I know there is exceptions to the rule, and there are still amazing Cubans.

::off to flame resistant suit on::

This. TOTALLY! 100% agree.... My family has recalled about 10 people (I am hesitant to call them family members) from Cuba over the last 20 years. Of those.... 2 are what I would call decent human beings. Do I think its their fault? No, I think the environment in Cuba breeds laziness and a sense of entitlement to "better" things once they get here. However, they stole from us, mooched off us, refused to get jobs, and threw away any chance of a decent relationship with us. One of whom was 15 years ago - my mom's half brother and one just 3 months ago, my dad's older sister. I totally know what he was getting at and I would not have been offended.

MellyMelB · March 2010

MrsLeanna:

I would have gotten the same impression. As is, one of the "educated" ones. Was the other person cuban also? I think there is definitely a stereotype out there and its a shame. I also think that a lot of us (cubans) bash each other for many reasons; religion, politics, work ethic, who came when, how, why? etc.

I would have been offended.

I think this stereotype has been earned. I also don't think it has anything to do with being educated but more with having the drive for something better, willing to work to earn a living, etc... This is what I have seen anyway.

I am surprised that someone who was not Cuban would be aware of this, tho. Usually the ones speaking so passionately on this topic happen to also be Cuban.

MrsLeanna · March 2010

I just want to add that I totally agree with what everyone else has said so far. Mel - I agree that the stereotype is earned. I cringe whenever I see the news outside Versailles interviewing cubans and they say stupid things.

miamicubajam · March 2010

Jackie I couldn't have said it better myself.

EliStar · March 2010

MellyMelB:
cocojack10:

Well, not trying to generalize, (and again, I'm from Cuban decent) the Cubans that come over today, are a lot different than the Cuban from my parents generation. I think tha the Cuban that came in the 60-70s are all hard working, ambitious individuals.

The Cuban that comes today, is different. I think since they lack a lot over there, they have had to fen for themselves, and resort to stealing, etc just to have food for their family. And since that is what they saw, they may not know any different. Again, I know there is exceptions to the rule, and there are still amazing Cubans.

::off to flame resistant suit on::

This. TOTALLY! 100% agree.... My family has recalled about 10 people (I am hesitant to call them family members) from Cuba over the last 20 years. Of those.... 2 are what I would call decent human beings. Do I think its their fault? No, I think the environment in Cuba breeds laziness and a sense of entitlement to "better" things once they get here. However, they stole from us, mooched off us, refused to get jobs, and threw away any chance of a decent relationship with us. One of whom was 15 years ago - my mom's half brother and one just 3 months ago, my dad's older sister. I totally know what he was getting at and I would not have been offended.

I could not agree more. My parents and their families came in the 60's and almost all are all hardworking, humble people who have never asked for a hand out and always strive to be better. The people I've met who have come recently are like an entirely different species. Self righteous, entitled, and some are downright lazy. Of course there are many, many exceptions. But its still so sad to see what has become of the people of Cuba as a whole.

MrsJOSEnADRI · March 2010

MrsLeanna:
I just want to add that I totally agree with what everyone else has said so far. Mel - I agree that the stereotype is earned. I cringe whenever I see the news outside Versailles interviewing cubans and they say stupid things.

LMAO!

MrsJOSEnADRI · March 2010

EliStar:
MellyMelB:
cocojack10:

Well, not trying to generalize, (and again, I'm from Cuban decent) the Cubans that come over today, are a lot different than the Cuban from my parents generation. I think tha the Cuban that came in the 60-70s are all hard working, ambitious individuals.

The Cuban that comes today, is different. I think since they lack a lot over there, they have had to fen for themselves, and resort to stealing, etc just to have food for their family. And since that is what they saw, they may not know any different. Again, I know there is exceptions to the rule, and there are still amazing Cubans.

::off to flame resistant suit on::

This. TOTALLY! 100% agree.... My family has recalled about 10 people (I am hesitant to call them family members) from Cuba over the last 20 years. Of those.... 2 are what I would call decent human beings. Do I think its their fault? No, I think the environment in Cuba breeds laziness and a sense of entitlement to "better" things once they get here. However, they stole from us, mooched off us, refused to get jobs, and threw away any chance of a decent relationship with us. One of whom was 15 years ago - my mom's half brother and one just 3 months ago, my dad's older sister. I totally know what he was getting at and I would not have been offended.

I could not agree more. My parents and their families came in the 60's and almost all are all hardworking, humble people who have never asked for a hand out and always strive to be better. The people I've met who have come recently are like an entirely different species. Self righteous, entitled, and some are downright lazy. Of course there are many, many exceptions. But its still so sad to see what has become of the people of Cuba as a whole.

Self-righteous and entitled are exactly the words for it! In dealing with the house projects, most of the workers we meet/get quotes from are Cuban and they all have this attitude. If I have to hear, "porqueeeee en Cuba, eh, yo era ingeniero," one more time! Just give us a quote and get the job done! I swear that the most reliable people have been American or of other nationalities. These Cuban workers, obviously, from younger generations come in, give us a backstory, gloat about some house on Fisher Island that they did, act like they're doing us a favor, and then they're totally unreliable. They'll work on the house for a few hours and then not show up for days. Of course, I'm also generalizing because we've had several Cubans that have done a great job and have been reliable. But, it's the former ones that give the rest a bad rep.

britishbride05 · March 2010

no, i would'e gotten the same impression.

it could've also meant (b/c my family has gotten the same sort of comments) that you're one of the "good ones" as in being against communism and actually wanting to leave *shrug*

britishbride05 · March 2010

MellyMelB:
cocojack10:

Well, not trying to generalize, (and again, I'm from Cuban decent) the Cubans that come over today, are a lot different than the Cuban from my parents generation. I think tha the Cuban that came in the 60-70s are all hard working, ambitious individuals.

The Cuban that comes today, is different. I think since they lack a lot over there, they have had to fen for themselves, and resort to stealing, etc just to have food for their family. And since that is what they saw, they may not know any different. Again, I know there is exceptions to the rule, and there are still amazing Cubans.

::off to flame resistant suit on::

This. TOTALLY! 100% agree.... My family has recalled about 10 people (I am hesitant to call them family members) from Cuba over the last 20 years. Of those.... 2 are what I would call decent human beings. Do I think its their fault? No, I think the environment in Cuba breeds laziness and a sense of entitlement to "better" things once they get here. However, they stole from us, mooched off us, refused to get jobs, and threw away any chance of a decent relationship with us. One of whom was 15 years ago - my mom's half brother and one just 3 months ago, my dad's older sister. I totally know what he was getting at and I would not have been offended.

I agree, I also want to add that a lot of the Cubans today (again, a generalization, but noticeable as well) feel like they don't have to learn english, don't have to assimilate. My family came in the 60s when Miami was NOT hispanic. They had to work, go to school, learn english, assimilate, etc... and it was hard. They didn't come and have family here already to help them, give them money, food or shelter. They lived 5 people in an efficiency, all sharing a bed. They worked and fought for what they have now. I have "family" who has come in the past 10-15 years and they have been given everything they need on a silver platter. They don't peak english, they wear designer clothes, and definitely feel like they "deserve" what they have- even if they haven't earned it.

cocojack10 · March 2010

Adri - It may be a coincidence that all your workers have been unreliable and Cuban. The fact is that the people in the "handyman"industry are all unreliable! They start a job to get the job and then vanish, and they know you can't do anything about it b/c they already started and you are depending on them to finish! At least that was our exprience w/ all the housework we did! The plumber (in our case) was the worst!!!!

EliStar · March 2010

MrsJOSEnADRI:
EliStar:
MellyMelB:
cocojack10:

Well, not trying to generalize, (and again, I'm from Cuban decent) the Cubans that come over today, are a lot different than the Cuban from my parents generation. I think tha the Cuban that came in the 60-70s are all hard working, ambitious individuals.

The Cuban that comes today, is different. I think since they lack a lot over there, they have had to fen for themselves, and resort to stealing, etc just to have food for their family. And since that is what they saw, they may not know any different. Again, I know there is exceptions to the rule, and there are still amazing Cubans.

::off to flame resistant suit on::

This. TOTALLY! 100% agree.... My family has recalled about 10 people (I am hesitant to call them family members) from Cuba over the last 20 years. Of those.... 2 are what I would call decent human beings. Do I think its their fault? No, I think the environment in Cuba breeds laziness and a sense of entitlement to "better" things once they get here. However, they stole from us, mooched off us, refused to get jobs, and threw away any chance of a decent relationship with us. One of whom was 15 years ago - my mom's half brother and one just 3 months ago, my dad's older sister. I totally know what he was getting at and I would not have been offended.

I could not agree more. My parents and their families came in the 60's and almost all are all hardworking, humble people who have never asked for a hand out and always strive to be better. The people I've met who have come recently are like an entirely different species. Self righteous, entitled, and some are downright lazy. Of course there are many, many exceptions. But its still so sad to see what has become of the people of Cuba as a whole.

Self-righteous and entitled are exactly the words for it! In dealing with the house projects, most of the workers we meet/get quotes from are Cuban and they all have this attitude. If I have to hear, "porqueeeee en Cuba, eh, yo era ingeniero," one more time! Just give us a quote and get the job done! I swear that the most reliable people have been American or of other nationalities. These Cuban workers, obviously, from younger generations come in, give us a backstory, gloat about some house on Fisher Island that they did, act like they're doing us a favor, and then they're totally unreliable. They'll work on the house for a few hours and then not show up for days. Of course, I'm also generalizing because we've had several Cubans that have done a great job and have been reliable. But, it's the former ones that give the rest a bad rep.

LMAO!! Yes!!!

MrsJuneHawk · March 2010

Yikes! I didn't realize this would open such a can of worms! I don't know why I was so taken aback, I agree with everything that as been said here and I purposely distant myself from people like what has been described. I consider myself the leas Cuban of Cubans LOL.

At any rate, I think he could have had more tact. It is one thing for a Cuban to bash Cubans than it is for someone from an entirely different ethnic background (he is anglosaxon) to do the same while talking to a Cuban. KWIM?

southmiamiwifejen · March 2010

I just want to add that I agree practically word for word with what everyone has said about today's immigrant Cubans versus the 1960s immigrant Cubans. And it's so sad/ironic that it's all us Cuban girls bashing today's Cubans LOL.

I just think when you belong to a certain group/ethnicity/nationality, you are more critical of the bad element in that group than the outsiders are because you resent that they give you a bad name by association and you want to make it very clear that you are not like that and that you don't condone their behavior or attitude.

ANJ410 · March 2010

People are just a**holes! The entire eight years I loved in Fl I got all kinds of offensive sterotypical remarks about both being Italian and being from NY. Honestly, after awhile I just came out and told people what they said was rude.

love4ever2006 · March 2010

There are good and bad people from every nationality. Where I was born or came from doesn't define me. Its so sad to see how people that are not cuban, lived in Cuba or have any family in Cuba love to criticize and even give their opinions because someone says that in Cuba this or that. Believe me you don't know unless you lived there.

I was born and raised there and came less than 20 years ago. Does that make a new, trashy immigrant cuban?? I agree that many come from not only Cuba but a lot of other countries and want things very easy but is not only our case. I went to school and and got a degree, worked hard and have made myself useful to this country in many ways by giving back to my community while many that I know where born here and don't have a bit of education, are lazy, and maybe like us cuban want everything handed in a plate.

Sorry but generalization is not nice and many cubans have great qualities, are hard workers, loyal friends, educated ...you name it.

Ohh...and June, Congratulations on your achievements. You can do it. I know that getting that diploma at the end of the road is going to make you very proud of yourself.

MrsJuneHawk · March 2010

I came from Cuba less than 15 years ago!

love4ever2006 · March 2010

MrsJuneHawk:
I came from Cuba less than 15 years ago!

Good to know that you are not from the bad group....;)

MrsJOSEnADRI · March 2010

Jackie: You're right about the home improvement projects. Most people in the business are like that anyway.

It's true there are good/bad in every nationality/culture. It's just terrible when people associate a whole nationality/culture with a few bad apples.

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