Commission System in Cuba
In Cuba, it is normal for anyone who participated in a deal to get their commission. Providers of services related to tourisms are busy making sure their services are attractive and will gladly share a cut from profits with anyone who can bring in paying tourist. This whole commission system works fairly well in Cuba and is the reason why virtually all tourists get repeatedly approached by hustlers.
Jineteros – Cubans Making Their Living Through Commissions
Jineteros are a Cuban name for someone we would refer to as “hustler”. They are basically locals who can recognize tourists immediately; they approach tourists and enquire about what service or product that tourist could be interested in. Whether you as a tourist need a casa particular, a taxi, or need to be recommended a restaurant or where the best place to dive is – Jineteros have the answer.
They are familiar with all services offered by available providers and whatever it is you as a tourist to Cuba may be interested in, they will deliver you there – simply because you will end up paying that company and Jineteros will get the commission.
This is nothing unusual. It’s totally normal and 99% of all money spent in Cuba by tourists is through someone’s referral. You may not know about it, but those people will get their commission for “recommending” something that could be of interest to you. By “recommending” it to you, what they actually do is bring business to that company. That earns them commission.
Somebody Always Ends Up Getting Commission
Even taxi drivers get their commission if they take you to a particular restaurant. Casa Particular owner who recommended you a casa in another town will his/her commission paid for that too. The commission system works like clockwork in Cuba whether you realize it or not.
You Don’t Have To Look For It, It Will Find You
An obvious advantage to such deep commission system is that you don’t have to look for anything – it will find you. Whatever it is you may happen to need, you virtually don’t have to do anything about it – it will find you. You come to a new town, before you start looking for a casa particular, someone will approach you and ask you if you needed a casa to stay overnight.
If you have accommodation lined up already, they’re gonna ask if there is anything else you might need. Most tourists do. Nobody knows the area better than locals and being a tourist, you don’t know where to go. It’s natural to ask. Each time you go to a new town, you’re going there for a particular purpose. Maybe you want to visit a beach or you’ve heard they sell great cigar there. Jibeneros have all the answers for you – simply because they’re gonna earn commission from an actual provider they take you too.
It works pretty well. You as a tourist will never be left stranded with a “deer in a headlight” kind of stare on your face unsure what to do next. Someone will be right there willing to help you. Providers are happy, cause they got the business and Jibeneros are happy cause they got their commission. Everyone wins.