Holguin is a city that is not filled with beggars and people trying to sell black market items. The people are warm, giving and perhaps the most proud people I have ever met in my lifetime.
A family we barely knew spent an entire week's salary to create us a Cuban home-cooked meal. They did this because they wanted to make sure that we as Canadians enjoyed our stay and not because they wanted anything in return.
Cubans are wonderful people who have been hurt by the U.S. embargo. Still, they are proud, educated and proud people who will give you the shirt off their backs if you ask. You will never meet people like this anywhere else in the world.
If a Cuban approaches you, they are likely after something from you. It is best to start up a conversation with somebody who has not approached you first. This is more likely to be a very proud person and one the proud people who make this country great. Unfortunately, the minority of people who are aggressive and beg ruin the image of the majority who are very good, decent, and giving.