Where We Come From – Materialism in the Eastern Bloc, Part 1

Andrea and I grew up in the 80s during the Cold War on the communistic side of the divide.

Looking back now, I, Grit, realize how our lives were dictated by materialism. Due to the scarcity of materials and lack of access to them, not abundance. And not just merchandise, actual material, building material, and resources. Relationships were ranked by whom you knew, where they worked, and if they had access to things you needed. The German expression “having Vitamin B” once described this relationship and connections-based economy. B stands for Beziehungen, relations, connections.

Of course, people were trading in favors. I have something you need, or I can pull some strings for you somewhere, and you give me what I want. If you didn’t have desired materials, objects, or Vitamine B, offering Westgeld, West German money, or West-German products always worked.
The kids at school, who didn’t have relatives in West Germany, or parents with Vitamine B, were very easy to spot. By their clothes, and envious glances.

People in East Germany did have everything they needed to live comfortably.- At least that’s how I remember it. – There was never a shortage of food, as long as it grew on the communist side. There was no variety, no choice, but the products existed. Although the quality was often questionable, especially of luxury items, like chocolate and coffee.

I remember the yogurt. I’m not sure if it deserved to be called that though. It was a milky jelly that came in different pastel colors in a crinkly square plastic container with an aluminum lid. The bottom of the cup had a number, and the lid had a legend of flavors assigned to numbers. That’s all the yogurt we could buy in our Kaufhalle at least to my memory.

Now, that I am writing this, I am wondering how much constant, nagging stress this must have caused the grown-ups. I was a child back then, oblivious to the struggles of the adult world. Also, what did it do to friendships…?