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In Poland, during communist times, there were often shortages of basic necessities at stores. Long lines of people were a signal that something rare was on sale
by koliber 8y ago
In Poland, during communist times, there were often shortages of basic necessities at stores. Long lines of people were a signal that something rare was on sale. This led to people getting conditioned that if there is a queue, you get in and wait and only then ask what is being sold.
Queues are much more rare now and when they happen, it's for a different reason. However, I still sometimes get the "What's on sale?" question from passerby's.
- aaaaaaaaaab 8y agoThis is the quintessential Eastern bloc experience.
- koliber 8y agoAbsolutely. It's interesting how it engrained itself in the human psyche, even after almost three decades have passed.
- netcan 8y agoYeah, fascinating. "Eastern Bloc" countries certainly have cultural memories from those lines. But.. the UK and probably some other places have a special cultural relationship with queues too.
- lubos 8y agoYou reminded me my childhood. When I was about 6 years old, I'd be sent to the shop about 30 minutes before it opens. There was already queue in the morning of elderly people waiting for an hour or longer. Every single morning. Nothing was for sale. It just that local bakery would supply only about 200 loaves of bread so it would be sold out pretty quick after opening. When you came home with fresh bread, it did feel like an achievement and the day was only about to start! Nobody in those times would question why bakery can't bake more if there is more demand. It was just the way it was. Centrally-planned economy where someone higher up has decided 200 a day will be the supply for the area.
- netcan 8y agoThere were a lot of jokes about 2 people lining up behind nothing, watching as 20 people join the queue and then walking off.