That's Socialism For You

That's Socialism For You / Rebeca Monzo
Posted on June 4, 2013

This morning I went with my friend Magy to buy some bananas and
ingredients for us to make a nice salad. We stopped at the EJT (Ejército
Juvenil del Trabajo or Youth Labor Force) farmers' market. We did not
find anything worthwhile but we did overhear a conversation between two
quite elderly men we recognized from our neighborhood.

One was saying to the other, who was dressed in military fatigues and
boots in spite of being well into retirement age, how expensive and bad
Cuban-made cleaning liquid was. The one in boots, raising his voice so
those of us present could hear, replied, "No, it's good. I just bought
some here, and it came sealed and everything."

"Listen, don't be blind," the other one said. "They dilute this stuff at
the factory. And instead of the three pesos it used to cost when it was
good and thick, it now costs twenty-five. Don't you realize they are
robbing you?"

"O.K.," said the one in boots. "It's true, but they only steal so they
can give it to you."

The other gentleman, who could not contain himself after such an utterly
idiotic remark, said, "Look, my friend, I don't want anyone stealing
anything for me, much less the state. It's like when they tell us they
are giving us health care and education for free. It's just one more
excuse and a fable no one believes anymore."

In the midst of this my friend came over, took me by the arm and said,
"Enough of this. I have something more interesting to show you."

She led me past shelves to a pushcart vendor, who was selling some very
attractive avocados and enormous bunches of bananas. As we were
shopping, we saw an elderly lady coming towards us. She was carrying a
transparent nylon bag. Inside was a pair of pink slippers, which looked
to be quite nice. She approached us shyly, offering them to us for only
five CUC.* Suddenly the boy who had been waiting on us grabbed her
package, turned to us and said, "I saw them first. And, besides, they
are my girlfriend's size. So, sorry, ladies, but the slippers are mine."

We left, "our sides splitting" with laughter, but not before having to
wait for the vendor to buy the slippers from the poor lady, who also
wanted to buy some produce, before completing our transaction. "That's
socialism for you!" I told my friend.

*Translator's note: Five CUC is slightly more than five dollars US at
the official exchange rate.

4 June 2013

http://translatingcuba.com/thats-socialism-for-you-rebeca-monzo/