Bass guitar strings are a very practical gift.
By asking her what you can bring down, will give you an idea of what angle she is playing by her response.
You've got to be leery of those over-friendly types anywhere on this planet.
Socks, CDs, underwear, soap, toothpaste, breath mints, dvd players etc,, are stone=aged gift items to the average on the prowl Cuban but most will take with a smile, if not a scratch on the head.
Oops... Yes, ,#9... I edited my post, added a lengthy observation, but it seems too have gone into a black hole.
Cuban culture has involved a lot of barter and reciprocation for as long as I can remember. Excluding hustlers, and yes, there are many of them, I compare a situation as described above to a situation in my own country where I visit a friend and that friend and her family go out of their way to make sure I have a good time. No payment is expected or would even be accepted, but at the same time, my host would probably feel somewhat used if i didn't reciprocate in some way. And I would feel that I HAD used them if I didn't reciprocate. Payback in kind is great where that is possible, but between a Cuban and a foreigner, that's usually not possible. Taking gifts that are hard to get where your friends are is always welcome. The guitar strings were a great idea, as were many of the suggestions above. Including the idea of asking outright.
Great replies, thanks a lot! I think I will have a few smaller things prepared to give them (shampoo, etc) and then ask them about anything else they may need. My backup plan was to judge day-by-day how much money I think they're spending throughout my visit to show me around, take me out, etc, and then try to leave a little money behind for them at the end!
Thanks for the ideas. This was I needed- I know these friends would feel awkward/guilty if I gave them anything too expensive!
Wow, you are headed to Holguin so soon! Enjoy!
There is no shortage of soap or shampoo in Cuba. Ask them what they need the most. Hope they don't say refrigerator or television, too big to travel with unless you are Cuban American.
Thanks for the ideas. This was I needed- I know these friends would feel awkward/guilty if I gave them anything too expensive!
Wow, you are headed to Holguin so soon! Enjoy!
Actually, if the gifts exceed about 50 CUC per day, she might feel obligated to provide you with sexual favors. If that does happen and you accept, don't be embarrassed. Also, you don't need to act ashamed when you see her boyfriend, just give him some beer money, thank him for sharing his girlfriend and acknowledge that you understand that it's only an act of hospitality and you have no intention of trying to take her away from him.
