7DaysinParadise
Cuba => Cuba => Topic started by: Gambitt on December 11, 2005, 03:33:00 PM
-
One thing I've noticed, both in Cuba, and other places.
When people don't have money, and are too proud to ask for a "donation" , the barter system is the way to go.
I've made some deals in Cuba, that were great for me, and great for the person involved. I traded liters of shamppo and conditioner, for a box of (fake) cigars. (We smoked them in the Lobby bar one night, so I wasn't worried about getting them home).
I'm not trying to suggest cheating anyone, but if you have something to trade, and they have something to trade, everyone comes away happy, without having to "lose any pride", then it's a good deal for everyone.
Just a suggestion, for those who are interested, and I would like to hear your experiences.
-
:) That would probably be one of the oldest ways of doing business wouldn't it? It is something I never thought of doing.
-
what a great idea. Lets face it, they have things that we go to Cuba to get and I'm sure that we have things they need or want.
It would also help to get over the embarrassment of "giving gifts". I know that I'm not always comfortable just handing a gift over to someone, even though they deserve it.
-
We took a tour of Santiago with two other couples we didn't know. One woman had a backpack with her and she told me she was looking to trade some things for some souvenirs. A woman was selling handmade bracelets and necklaces. The woman tourist chose a bracelet, asked for the price, then removed a bottle of shampoo from her backpack and money from her wallet. She let the vendor chose between the shampoo and the money. She chose the shampoo. I thought this was very fair as both got what they wanted.
-
We traded our sons clothes last year at the market in Guardalavaca. We asked around who had kids and gave them some outfits and sandals for a $5 souvenir. We wanted to make sure the clothes went to someone who could use it. We always bring clothes for our 3 year old that wouldn't fit him next summer and leave it all behind.
It helps them out and it gives us extra weight on the way home for extra souvenirs. :)
-
When we went to Havana in 2002, it was just after the olympics. My friend was wearing a "Canada Double Gold" ballcap on her head. One of the vendors saw the hat and told her she could have anything she wanted from his table if he could have her cap. She came home with a nice straw hat and he proudly walked around with his new ballcap. He asked me if I had anything from Canada with me and I told him only my bra. He laughed and said it would be good for his mother but not for him.