When the Cuban government legalized self-employment and small-time entrepreneurial businesses in 1992, Cubans who had once owned drink and snack stands prior to their criminalization in 1968 were suddenly back in business! Located in Havana’s Barrio Chino, this gentleman’s batido (tropical fruit smoothie) stand enjoyed immediate success. When I asked the owner and his son if their service was truly available “24 hours” a day as they advertised, they responded, ¡Bueno, ya que los negocios de Fidel tampoco cumplían con sus promesas, esperamos no llegar a la corte por nuestras aspiraciones! [Well, since Fidel’s businesses also did not fulfill their promises, we hope not to be taken to court for our aspirations!]” In fact, they had been inspired to put up their 24-hours sign after watching Hollywood movies where the same sign seemed to them a standard (if inaccurate) way of appealing to customers. Centro Habana, October 1996.
