Showing posts with label life in socialism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life in socialism. Show all posts

Saturday, September 9, 2023

Everybody for Everybody?

I was brought up with the idea that everybody works for everybody. It means we are all affected by the results of each other's work, that is why everybody should do their job well.

Let's say a tailor makes clothes for bricklayers, doctors, drivers, and you name it. The tailor should work well not only to stay in business but also because he depends on the work and service performed by other professionals - bricklayers, doctors, drivers, car mechanics, and many others. And he wants their service to be of a good standard too.
 
 
I have been thinking about that for some time. Is the idea of mutual dependence lost totally, or is it maybe just an old-fashioned and extinct approach?

Recently, I had two pieces of jewelry repaired at Baublit Jewelers in Kerrville, TX. The items were not only very well mended at a fair price, but the old and dull-looking pieces were also made shiny and attractive again. The jeweler did a wonderful job fixing and restoring the lost beauty of my items. It seems the idea of trade honor still exists. Well, at least somewhere, and in some cases. 


Saturday, October 22, 2022

About Certain Coupon

Not long ago, I posted an entry in "My Polish Alphabet" related to the letter "S," which was about my Stepfather.
I reminded myself of a little story from the 80s.

Then, Stepfather P. got a special coupon for a color TV set. Since mom and he had already got such a TV set, P. decided the new one would be for me.

FYK - in the 80s, shopping (especially buying appliances) in Poland was not such an easy and obvious thing to do as it is nowadays. Few of those items were available in stores daily, and you were never sure when the next delivery would be. Ordering such an article in advance in a store was not possible.

Nevertheless, the coupon was valid on one Saturday only in a particular store, which was in a nearby city. Since P's name was on the coupon, he and I went to get the TV together. At the spot, it appeared there were more people like us, willing to buy that TV set model with a coupon. We (literally) stood in a line for four hours. Sitting and waiting in the car was not an option there.

Finally, we got the TV set, packed it in the car, brought it home, and placed it in my room. The TV worked for 20+ years.

Stepfather P. - the 80s