Recently, on Instagram, a Cuban woman known as @iaamfrankyy opened up about her cultural experiences after relocating to Switzerland. In her video, she humorously describes how even her thoughts seem to whisper "shhh, be quiet" in this new, quieter environment.
Having been accustomed to the lively bustle of Cuban streets, with music drifting through windows and spontaneous chats with neighbors and strangers, she immediately noticed the profound silence upon arriving in Switzerland. She nostalgically asks, "Where's the noise, the neighbor shouting from the balcony? Nothing."
The unwavering Swiss punctuality took her by surprise as well. "If the bus is scheduled for 7:43, it arrives at 7:43. If you're a minute late, it leaves you. Literally. In Cuba, it might show up five minutes late... or five hours later... or maybe not until the next day," she remarks.
Adapting to New Social Norms
Yet, beyond transportation, the most challenging aspect for her has been the perceived coldness in human interactions. In Cuba, striking up a conversation with strangers on the bus is almost a national pastime. She laments, "In Cuba, you meet someone and share your entire life story. Here, people are in their own world; they don't talk to you, look at you, or even greet you."
Then there's the cold weather: "Switzerland gets warm... if it's for four months a year, that's a lot. The rest of the time, you're freezing. My hands crack from the cold here."
A Piece of Home
In another Instagram post, she recounts an unexpected moment of connection to her roots. While searching for a suitcase for her daughter at an outlet store, she stumbled upon a set of mugs adorned with the Cuban flag. "Of course, I bought it. It was like a little piece of Cuba waiting for me there," she shares.
That small gesture, represented by a tricolor flag mug, momentarily reconnected her with her homeland, her people, and the warmth that is often missed more than admitted.
@iaamfrankyy's journey highlights a common experience among Cubans who have left the island: the feelings of uprootedness, the adaptation to new customs, and the way we, even from afar, seek out and cherish those symbols that remind us of who we are.
Understanding Cultural Adjustments for Cuban Expats
What cultural differences shocked the Cuban woman in Switzerland?
She was most surprised by the silence, punctuality, and perceived coldness in social interactions in Switzerland compared to the lively and warm atmosphere in Cuba.
How does she cope with missing her Cuban roots?
She finds solace in small gestures, like purchasing a mug with the Cuban flag, which helps her feel connected to her heritage.