Jorge Drake, a Cuban content creator, took to TikTok to reveal the 'reality' of life in Houston, Texas. His video was aimed specifically at his friends and followers still living in Cuba.
In the video, Drake speaks from a residential neighborhood, highlighting the stark contrast between Cuban social life and the tranquility found in some areas of the United States. "Look, my people, for many who are in Cuba and don't know what life is like here in the U.S... not a soul around, all the streets are empty," he commented while strolling through a completely deserted neighborhood at four in the afternoon.
The TikToker @jorge_drake1992 mentioned that Cubans are used to seeing friends on street corners, a sight he missed. However, he clarified that he was not criticizing life in the U.S., but rather showing the reality to those who believe everything is "party, fun, and celebration."
In his viral post—which has already surpassed 160,000 views—he emphasized that in areas like where he lives, "everyone lives in their own world," and it is common not to know your neighbors, even if they have lived next door for years.
The video generated a significant number of reactions, accumulating over 9,500 likes and nearly 1,800 comments. Users from both the U.S. and other countries shared their own experiences and opinions about life outside of Cuba. "I must be different from my race, I live happily with this tranquility. The only thing I miss about Cuba is the time I wasted there"; "I don't miss any of that. The peace here is priceless"; "Here, we are like ghosts. It shows that we enjoyed our time in Cuba a lot," read some of the varied reactions.
Other users pointed out that this solitude in the streets is not exclusive to the U.S., but also occurs in other developed countries. "Here in Italy, you also go out and don't see a person on the street," shared one user, while another added, "That's how it is in Spain; there's no time for hanging out, you have to work hard to pay for everything."
While many agreed with Drake that they missed the Cuban social life, others defended the privacy and focus on work in the U.S. "Here, it's every man for himself. There's no time for partying every day," commented another user, reflecting the reality of those living abroad.
The debate continues. What do you prefer, the social life of Cuba or the tranquility and privacy of the U.S.?
Understanding the Differences Between Cuban and American Lifestyles
This section addresses common questions about the contrasting lifestyles in Cuba and the United States, based on Jorge Drake's experiences and observations.
Why did Jorge Drake create this video?
Jorge Drake created the video to show his friends and followers in Cuba the reality of life in the United States, contrasting it with their expectations.
What are the main differences between Cuban and American lifestyles according to Drake?
According to Drake, the main differences include the social interaction in Cuba versus the solitude and privacy in the United States, where people often do not know their neighbors.
How did the video resonate with viewers?
The video resonated with many viewers, accumulating over 9,500 likes and nearly 1,800 comments, with people sharing their own experiences and opinions about life outside of Cuba.