Rosa María Rodríguez Torrado, Translator: Espirituana
It seems that an anti-kissing and anti-closeness strategy has been in
place for some days in Havana: toothpaste went missing. The humble
consumer who micromanages the pennies in strong currencies obtained from
his meager worker's incentive or received from relatives who have
emigrated – workers exploited by capitalism who plan their vacations,
travel and invest around the world without permission, and in spite of
that financially help their oppressed loved ones in the Cuban paradise –
mostly buys strictly the basic goods in the markets that sell in foreign
currencies.
But in Cuba we are vulnerable to the dictatorship of consumerism and
prey of the State oligopoly, since when they want to get rid of a Cuban
product that no one buys, they stop stocking the foreign alternative so
that we will be forced to buy the domestic one, which is almost always
of poor quality and with a minimal price difference. That is, they
substitute for the imports, mocking the rights of the buyers, whose
ability to choose they arbitrarily limit imposing a lack of options:
take it or take it! No alternatives. They choose the shortest and most
dishonest route instead of working to ensure the excellence of the
domestic products.
The State controls all trade and, in a way that is inefficient and
unfair to society, prevents competition from the private sector in those
businesses. They do not allow the private citizen to set up a store, nor
offer what he produces in one of the many State chain stores. So,
whether it's bad or mediocre, we must be satisfied with whatever the
State offers, and furthermore reward them with a smile.
After several days using numerous water-and-salt rinses, this September
22nd the citizens of Havana were pleasantly surprised with a domestic
toothpaste of the "Sonríe" (Smile) brand. That state-manufactured
concoction with scant menthol is not acquired through workers' merit,
volunteer work, diplomas or passwords, but with strong Cuban pasta
[money]: the CUC [Cuban convertible currency]. They charge 90 cents for
it, which is equivalent to 22 pesos in national currency. As is natural,
there will surely be people who will continue gargling in order to be
able to smile without having foul-smelling dragon's breath. When times
are bad, put on a happy face, and if you have bad breath – no options –
use Cuban toothpaste.
Translated by: Espirituana
September 28 2011
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