Jineteros and Jineteras

 

The distinction between the need for money and the genuine offer of friendship or interest reached to many aspects of our encounters there. Not the least of which was in meeting and talking to the women. The women in Havana were indeed very beautiful and sensual in their dress and manner. It was an ego inflating experience to walk down the street and have almost every beautiful Cuban woman smiling at you, and some even walking up to you to strike up a conversation.

 

In the US and Mexico, it is pretty easy to discern where the red light districts are, and who the prostitutes are. While there were places in Havana that fit those modes, the lines seemed much more blurred away from those areas. As with the men we met walking down the streets, women too were interested in finding out about who you were and where you were from. However, they did this in a much more flirtatious and seductive manner, often asking "why don't you buy me a soda/beer so we can sit and keep talking?" While some would soon follow this up with an offer of going back to your room, others were happy just to sit and talk. Needless to say, you can find worse ways of spending an afternoon than sitting and chatting with a beautiful Cuban woman over a few mojitos.

 

In talking with the men in Cuba, we were invariably asked how we liked Cuban women. I would follow that question up by asking them how they felt about the Cuban women seeking the attention of foreigners as much as they do. They usually noted some resentment since it is nearly impossible for them to catch the interest of the same women. They know that there is no way they can ever hope to make enough money to buy things and take them places the way tourists can.

 

The jineteros are everywhere, ever helpful to one in finding cigars, rum, places to eat, rooms to rent, and drugs. They would usually offer me some kind of pills for lowering cholesterol. These guys usually find whatever product or service you seek in exchange for some kickback from the provider. As I mentioned earlier, the couple who helped us find the apartment we stayed at was compensated by the apartment owner.

 

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