The Melody of Money

The Melody of Money / 14ymedio, Marcelo Hernandez

14ymedio, Marcelo Hernandez, Havana, 15 January 2017 — A peculiar
manifestation of freedom of expression can be seen in signs painted on
the trucks used for passenger transport, the windshields of some
automobiles or on the walls of private businesses. Some are cryptic,
others explicit and not a few, rude. But everyone mixes some humor with
some popular wisdom.

This young man, whose pedicab consumes exclusively human energy, does
not want to be told "Take me to the train terminal" or "Leave me at the
Carlos III market." He is only interested in hearing how much the
customer is willing to pay for a ride. Something that is clarified,
explicitly, by the phrase painted on the back of the seat of his vehicle.

The call made by the driver also obeys an old relationship having to do
with supply and demand on the island. Often those who offer a service do
not put a price on their work, for fear that they will hear from the
inspectors who regulate the rates, on the one hand or, on the other, of
charging less than the customer is willing to pay.

If customers do not understand this dynamic, it can always be clearly
written, in a huge sign like this one, and no one can say they weren't
warned.

Source: The Melody of Money / 14ymedio, Marcelo Hernandez – Translating
Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/the-melody-of-money-14ymedio-marcelo-hernandez/