From a Westerner's perspective, Cuba feels immediately dysfunctional. The Communist mentality still clearly dominates, and there are queues for everything, particularly for important functions such as banking and exchanging currency. With few personal incentives to provide good service, attendants often focus on finishing conversations with colleagues before serving customers. When a system fails -- for example, if a bank card fails to withdraw money or if a bus is already fully booked -- the news is delivered to the hyperventilating customer with a disinterested shrug. From the outside looking in, it's clear that the Cuban system was constructed for the benefit of the residents, who appear to have plenty of time on their hands, rather than for the benefit hassled foreigners....
