Life in Pre and Post Communist Poland

For all of you who have lived during both eras---what are the differences or simularities in daily living for the average Pole. If you had a choice, would you prefer the communist way of life compared to your life today.....let me rephrase.....are there parts of each system you would combine to obtain an optimal living situation? Does this make sense?

The main difference between Poland then and now is that during the miserable real-socialism era people had money, but couldn't buy anything because shop shelves were empty (the symbol of downfall of communism are mustard and vinegard as the only 'shelf fillers') and now they can buy whatewer they want, but many can't afford it.

Living during communist era very often was everyday struggle to get the most basic food products, which you had to queue for for a very long time, and often you were buying products not because you wanted them, but just because they were available (like my parents did with, let's say it, not of the prime beauty pink tiles Fortunately, they're still laying somewhere in the loft of our house). You couldn't buy a car or flat like you can today - you had to apply for them and wait even for decades, only if you knew or were a relative of 'the right people' (the best choice were party officials - but that could earn you envy of your acquaintances). The phone line was often beyond reach of an ordinary man - I won't forget the times when people were coming to us to use our phone (and since they often phoned their family members abroad, it provided us with a constant stream of German chocolate and coffee ). To cut the whole story short - I wouldn't import any features of socialist country into modern, capitalistic society.

I miss the communist area sometimes (at least when I'm not hungry :). But currently I like it better (even though it's not as safe as it used to be and some people cannot use the freedom they have in a good way).