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."
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.
2) We know how to curse colorfully.
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.
7) We smell really good.
8) Our full-of-sh*tness is endearing.
9) Everyone we meet is a friend.
10) Our abuelas are amazing characters.
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.)
Everything friend is a cousin, aunt or uncle...and we kiss them in the cheek because THEY ARE FAMILY!
Posted by: Berta | February 03, 2015 at 10:29 AM
I meant every friend, not everything!
Posted by: Berta | February 03, 2015 at 10:30 AM
Brilliant response!
Posted by: Pamela Oborski | February 03, 2015 at 10:38 AM
We know how to laugh, including at ourselves.
Posted by: Marc R. Masferrer | February 03, 2015 at 10:45 AM
Love it !
We are passionate about everything---family, friends, food, injustices :)
Posted by: Maria Cope | February 03, 2015 at 10:49 AM
Because we have a way with words and when our words fail us sounds and gestures come to our rescue!
Posted by: Beatriz | February 03, 2015 at 10:50 AM
We have the best food, music and love of life. "Tenemos Chispa".
Posted by: Elsa | February 03, 2015 at 11:07 AM
We can speak sentences by just pursing our lips.
Posted by: heidi | February 03, 2015 at 11:11 AM
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...!
Posted by: [email protected] | February 03, 2015 at 11:23 AM
We rock red lipstick no matter what time of day!
Posted by: [email protected] | February 03, 2015 at 11:24 AM
Loud. Very very loud. (GREAT POST, MAMA.)
Posted by: Lucy | February 03, 2015 at 11:35 AM
Asando un puerco is the best part about a holiday. AND we think guayaberas are perfectly fine attire for all events!!
Posted by: Aimee | February 03, 2015 at 11:37 AM
El mejor cafe y los pastelitos de guayaba. The best espresso and guava pastries!!!!!!
Posted by: Pedro | February 03, 2015 at 11:46 AM
We definitely don't need drama lessons; we're born with the talent
Posted by: Mari Z | February 03, 2015 at 11:49 AM
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
Posted by: Bohemian Babushka | February 03, 2015 at 11:56 AM
We are the French of the Caribbean!
Posted by: [email protected] | February 03, 2015 at 12:21 PM
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?
Posted by: joe c | February 03, 2015 at 12:54 PM
Because either we are too fat or too skinny.. Never perfect...
Posted by: Jennifer amos | February 03, 2015 at 12:58 PM
Because we can make fun of ourselves and others and we can take it when someone makes fun of us
Posted by: Yoly Gayoso | February 03, 2015 at 01:04 PM
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.
Posted by: Laura Fabian-Medina | February 03, 2015 at 01:29 PM
Because we believe we are the best at everything...and WE ARE!!!!!
Posted by: Chely Hernández-Miller | February 03, 2015 at 01:48 PM
Because we speak the best Spanglish.
Posted by: Amanda | February 03, 2015 at 02:13 PM
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...)
Posted by: Cookie | February 03, 2015 at 02:35 PM
Because we make a party out of everything including funerals el cafecitio, las fotos de Los nietos
Posted by: Cari | February 03, 2015 at 02:38 PM
Because we are experts at everything...medicine, law, politics, the weather, fashion, and on and on....
Posted by: Lourdes Masferrer | February 03, 2015 at 02:38 PM
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!
Posted by: Kim | February 03, 2015 at 04:39 PM
We know how to make fun of others and ourselves.
And we think we are the best, because we are. :)
Posted by: Laura | February 03, 2015 at 04:44 PM
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!! ;-)
Posted by: Elisa | February 03, 2015 at 05:08 PM
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!
Posted by: Barbara | February 03, 2015 at 06:30 PM
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.
Posted by: Barbara | February 03, 2015 at 06:34 PM
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
Posted by: [email protected] | February 03, 2015 at 06:56 PM
Which Vazquez family are we talking about, the one from San Miguel de los Banos? And dont forget our cafe con leche and cuban toast, the best breakfast ever😉
Posted by: maria vazquez | February 03, 2015 at 07:06 PM
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.
Posted by: Miriam Arango | February 03, 2015 at 07:38 PM
Because we're not SQUARE!
Posted by: Isabel | February 04, 2015 at 04:53 AM
Because ours roots come from Spain
Posted by: Mary | February 04, 2015 at 06:44 AM
Because no one else I know says "Que Barbaro!"
Posted by: Tina | February 04, 2015 at 10:16 AM
Because we can make a joke even of our tragedy....we have a million of Fidel jokes!
Posted by: Haydee morales | February 04, 2015 at 10:23 AM
We make our point over and over again....and yes we are usually right!!!!
Posted by: olga | February 04, 2015 at 11:43 AM
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.
Posted by: JPMora | February 04, 2015 at 12:23 PM
What other culture will raise their children,
practically from birth, drinking cafe con leche
for breakfast? Now.....that's pure, unadultared
genius.
Posted by: Dalia | February 04, 2015 at 04:36 PM
Because we are from Cuba and there is no place on earth as special as cuba, there for Cubans are special.
Posted by: Rafael | February 04, 2015 at 05:53 PM
Because we are the only ones the use the word Ñoooo!
Posted by: Nory | February 05, 2015 at 01:31 AM
Because no matter where we are transplanted, we belong and contribute. And more importantly "somos chistosos" because we appreciate a good joke and prank!
Posted by: Lourdes S. | February 05, 2015 at 06:57 AM
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.
Posted by: FaustinoR | February 05, 2015 at 11:45 AM
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.
Posted by: Orlando Carneiro | February 10, 2015 at 04:36 AM
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
Posted by: neisy | February 22, 2015 at 05:56 PM
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
Posted by: NEISY | February 22, 2015 at 06:20 PM