The Pewex
Nothing epitomized the schizophrenia of everyday Polish life more than the Pewex store. Short for Przedsiębiorstwo Eksportu Wewnętznego- Internal Export Company*, the Pewex system was a 24-7, in-your-face reminder to the average Pole, that the communist system which had promised to provide for all their needs had failed them. In the 1970's hard currency eg. US dollar, West German Mark, was desperately needed to help pay back loans taken by an overly ambitous Edward Gierek. The PRL brain-trust devised an exceptionally cynical solution to the problem: sell everything of value (cars, vodka, tractors, TVs, ham, etc) to the West for dollars and sell those same items to the Poles only for hard currency in the Pewex stores (hence Internal Export)..........The hypocrisy was not lost on us. On the one hand, the communist party was pounding the masses with the message " The PRL will take care of all your needs from cradle to grave" but on the other they seemed to be saying "so long as those needs don't include an apartment, a car, a washing machine, food, vitamins..." You get the idea.
My first Pewex experience was in Krakow on ul Piastowska. It was a big two storey modern-looking affair, which stood out from its drab grey soot-covered neighbors. Conveniently, a tram/bus stop was situated immediately in front of it. Besides the modern architecture and convenient access by mass transit, this Pewex also had "greeters" waiting for you. They were always short, seedy-looking men clad in leather jackets, who would oft times open the door for you and ask "chenge mahnee"?
Once inside you immediately knew you were in some place special. The shelves and racks were stocked with colorful new-looking items: sweaters, skirts, shirts, perfumes, make-up, ties, vodka,scotch, cigarettes and much, much more. We initially felt guilty buying stuff there but after 6 months we got over it. From then on until my departure in '85, the Pewex was a frequent shopping destination especially during the "nie ma days".
NB. there was even an "Auto Pewex" in Wroclaw, where I once bought some paint for my "garbus". That's another story.
* leave it to the commies to come up with the concept of "internal export". How's that for an oxymoron!! Come to think of it, life in those days was very oxymoronic.
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