Consumer goods in the USSR were almost always in short supply. Since in the regime of a planned economy the state determined their value, and the salaries of the population were generally good, all high-quality products were quickly sold out in stores. Unfortunately, at that time there was not always enough production capacity to increase the production of scarce products. At the same time, there were very few imports in the state. The foreign currency required for the purchase was also in short supply. During the Brezhnev stagnation in the 70s and 80s, the shortage of goods began to be felt especially acutely.
In this regard, even if the citizens had the amount necessary to buy a particular product, they could not purchase it. This even applied to those things and objects that a person needs for daily use. The fact is that during the rule of the CPSU (the only active party), the status of a citizen and his level lives were determined not by the amount of money in the account, but by the presence of connections and the place occupied in the hierarchy authorities.
It so happened that a lot of things had to be obtained precisely by pull, using the connections of friends and relatives, from speculators, in thrift shops and so on. Well, after the long-awaited acquisition was received, it was necessarily demonstrated, as if by accident, to others, thereby increasing their own status in their eyes.
If these were interior items, furniture, dishes, TV, then they must be placed or hung in a conspicuous place in the apartment. If a car was bought, then the owner went to work or visit.
Much is available to our contemporaries from what was in short supply in the USSR, regardless of income level and social status. Today we see open borders, besides, the population can take out consumer loans.
There are several things that were desirable for the Soviet people, they dreamed about them. For some acquisitions, citizens saved up for decades, stood in line for years and only then could they get them.
1. Car
There was not a single person in the USSR who did not dream of his own four-wheeled vehicle. It could drive to work, shopping, to the country house and to the sea. The car was valued more than housing. At that time, people could get an apartment from work, absolutely free of charge, although they had to stand in line for ten to fifteen years. But for a car, you first had to save up, which in itself was a long process, and then even seven years, if not more, to wait for your turn.
Not all cars offered by the domestic industry were highly valued. The cool category included "kopeck" (VAZ 2101), "seven" (VAZ 2107), "nine" (2109), and, of course, the Volga GAZ-24 - the object of dreams of Soviet citizens. They were especially jealous of those who were lucky enough to buy a car with a metallic or cherry-colored body. If the prospects left much to be desired, the Zaporozhets was bought. In any case, it is more comfortable than using public transport.
2. Crystal
Crystal glassware was considered one of the luxury items and evidence of well-being and prosperity. Almost all self-respecting Soviet families tried to buy it. Any crystal product was distinguished by a unique brilliance and sparkled when the light hit it. Despite the fact that the crystal is very fragile and not so easy to care for, it was displayed in the most conspicuous place - in the sideboard on the shelf. Czechoslovakian crystal, Bohemian, was especially in price.
For the New Year, birthday, wedding, crystal glasses, salad bowls and vases for sweets were taken out. Flowers were necessarily placed in a beautiful crystal vase in the center of the festive table. The height of prosperity and wealth was a multi-level chandelier with a huge number of crystal elements that shimmered and gleamed when the lights were turned on, illuminating the entire living room space. Crystal cleaning is a kind of ritual, and not the simplest and easiest one. It was carried out approximately once a month. This fate did not bypass anyone. All residents of the apartment took an active part in the process.
It is interesting! In the Soviet Union, crystal glassware was also a profitable investment. It was difficult even to come up with the best gift for an anniversary, wedding, in honor of retirement.
3. Carpet
More than one generation of citizens of the USSR enjoyed the contemplation of fleecy carpets in their apartments. They were hung on the walls and laid on the floor. In addition to the aesthetic function, these products also performed a practical one - in panel brezhnevkas and Khrushchevs they protected the room from the cold and were an excellent soundproofing agent. The fact is that the walls in such houses are too thin. Therefore, everything that happens in the neighboring apartment is perfectly audible. There were carpets in all rooms except for the bathroom and the kitchen. Some, to demonstrate their wealth, even put them on sofas and beds. Often, the carpet was a great way to hide the absence of wallpaper on the wall or the gusts that formed over time on them.
The products could have different colors, but the principle was the same. In the center was a large drawing. To the sides of it, smaller, repeating ones went away, and along the edge there was an edging. In those days, the best were considered carpets made in the Soviet Asian republics - Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkmenistan. They were also brought from countries such as the GDR and Poland.
At the wedding, the newlyweds always sat against the background of a beautiful carpet, supposedly symbolizing well-being. The products were cleaned practically in large quantities in the winter period, when snow fell on the ground in a thick layer. Some laid the carpet directly on the snow and cleaned it like that, others hung it on a fence or horizontal bar and knocked out with a special device.
4. Mink hat
The fashion for molded hats in the Soviet Union came in the 70s and 80s. Mink hats were considered especially prestigious. They looked much better than the cheaper models and were lighter. Their disadvantage is that it was impossible to bend the ears and visor, as was done with earflaps. Hence the name - "snag" appeared. In a big frost, fashionistas had a hard time. Both men and women wore such hats.
Mink hats were very popular, but their price was high (about two average salaries). Therefore, this item also belonged to the category of products indicating human well-being. There were cases when petty thieves in a dark corner tore off an expensive thing right from the head (all because of its high cost). Therefore, many were reinsured and sewed elastic bands, fixed at the bottom under the chin. Squirrel, rabbit, muskrat hats were less expensive, but their status was also lower.
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In the summertime, molded hats were kept very carefully. To prevent the product from deforming, it was worn over a three-liter glass jar. By the way, it was not customary to take off your hat when traveling in a car.
5. Color TV
Such a familiar device for us - the TV, was a source of pride for the Soviet people. He was placed in a place of honor on the table or a specially designed stand was purchased. The fact that only three channels were broadcast did not bother anyone. It was especially prestigious to have a color TV and preferably with a large screen diagonal.
Soviet families, which are exemplary, necessarily had two televisions. Large, preferably Panasonic or Sony, but the domestic Ruby-714 was also quite suitable, was placed in the living room. The second, slightly smaller (Shilyavis), took its place in the kitchen. When VCRs appeared at the very beginning of the eighties, large televisions, especially if they supported the PAL format, began to use it for watching films or concerts of foreign rock performers.
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There was no remote control then, no one even heard of it. You had to turn on the TV, change channels, and turn it off manually, each time leaving a comfortable chair or sofa. Quite often it was possible to observe a very mysterious picture - a TV, carefully covered with a tulle napkin. Most likely, this is how the hostesses protected the device from dust.
Continuing the topic, read what other habits did Soviet housewives have.
A source: https://novate.ru/blogs/070320/53700/