Cuban Influencer Faces Cultural Shock in Swiss Sauna: "My Latin Modesty Won't Allow It"

Lucy María González Machado, a Cuban influencer recognized as @thezhoufam on TikTok, recently shared what she describes as the "biggest cultural shock" she's experienced since relocating to Switzerland six months ago. Her story unfolds during her initial visit to the sauna at her newly joined gym. "I was really excited to finish my workout and then unwind in the sauna," she recounted. "I came prepared with my backpack, bikini, flip-flops—everything I thought was necessary for a sauna... or at least what I believed was needed."

As she peeked into one of the rooms, she was startled to see a man completely nude through the glass door. "I immediately stepped back," she recalls, initially thinking she had mistakenly entered a men's area. However, a woman nearby clarified, "No, no, this is a mixed sauna." The woman reassured her, "I don't look at those things, so just relax, bring your bikini, and do your thing."

Lucy was taken aback by the situation: “The entire scenario was a bit volatile, you know... and I found myself at the glass door, looking at the ceiling, the wooden walls, everywhere but outside.” She concluded with a statement that resonated with many viewers: "My Latin modesty won't allow me." Despite this, she plans to continue visiting the sauna, albeit "during times when it's empty."

The video quickly garnered reactions. "A Swiss experience, I'm dying," one user commented. Another added, "My Latin modesty represents me." Many echoed a playful query, "What did the Chinese husband say?"—referring to her spouse. Lucy humorously replied, "He was shocked. He says he doesn't want to go."

Numerous migrants shared similar experiences in countries like Germany, Austria, Japan, and Sweden, where mixed-gender, clothing-optional saunas are customary. Anecdotes poured in: "In Germany, they'll ask you to leave if you wear a bikini," "In Japan, I couldn't enter until everyone left," and "In Korea, everyone was unshaven, I felt like the odd one out."

The video's impact underscores Lucy's ability to connect with a broad audience through personal stories, transforming everyday occurrences into universal experiences. Her charisma, authenticity, and storytelling style have cultivated a loyal following among Cuban expatriates and other Latino communities.

This isn't the first time Lucy González has gone viral with her insights on Swiss life. Earlier in May, she released a video highlighting five unique aspects of the country, from the cows' quality of life to the presence of bunkers in buildings. On that occasion, she humorously noted, "The cows have a better quality of life than you or me."

In the same video, she mentioned the country's electrical stability, organizational prowess, and the perceived lack of international news in Swiss media, based on her personal experiences.

Lucy's story adds to a growing collection of anecdotes from Cuban women detailing their adaptation journeys in foreign lands. Recently, a Cuban mother in Spain went viral after sharing her embarrassment when other parents handed her cash to pay for her daughter's birthday—a common practice there, yet foreign to her. "I was mortified," she shared in her video.

In Venezuela, another Cuban woman found herself in a humorous situation after using the verb "coger" with its Caribbean connotation, unaware of its different impact in Venezuela. "It was epic," she recalled, as everyone stared when she said, "I'm busy."

An Honest Look at Migrant Life

Stories like Lucy's highlight the nuances and challenges of migration, where humor, confusion, and humanity intertwine. These narratives invite empathy, cultural understanding, and, most importantly, encourage us to laugh at ourselves as we adapt to new realities.