Consumer goods shortage in Russia

What kind of products are missing or difficult to acquire in Russia that yourself or others have wanted to purchase before? I know this is a weird question but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Garrott


Dear Garrot!

Thank you for your question. Well, your question evoked so many childhood memories that it will be a lie to say that I want to forget those times.

Born in the USSR I witnessed only the last decade of so called “consumer goods shortage” which accompanied my compatriots through the history of the XX century.

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY

The shortages were both horizontal and vertical which means that they affected both the supply of intermediate goods as well as related complementary goods. This could have involved several hours a day spent in queues just to obtain basic products like.... food.

I spent my teen years in the lines for groceries not noticing the hours go by. Like many kids of my generation I spent this time reading my favorite world classics. Thus , I can say, that unwillingly the Soviet grocery shortage contributed to my general culture. ;)

It also is very important to remember that different regions of USSR had different methods of products distribution. Sometimes this regional divergence was more significant than the social one.

Some studies mention today that “those , who during the 1970—1980s were considered as Soviet Intelligentsia as well as simple employees have different memories of Soviet consumer goods shortage than those who belonged to soviet leadership families".

Through the Stalin and Khruschev times Kommunist Party leaders denied this obvious fact. But all Russian citizens knew that your life will change once you either get into the countries’ elite. You will be shopping in the“reserved to elite only” shops (a secret invention of the planned economy). Or if you have no chance to become a part of this elite, your life could be much nicer if you make friends with those who work in these shops.

No doubt this contributed to the hidden corruption in the USSR. But still the majority of Soviet population had more chances to make friends with sales staff of “closed to public” boutiques than ever have a chance to visit those shops.

THE TIME HAS COME

Now, 25 years later, everything has changed. Like kids who waited for Christmas presents for too long our people happily enjoy consumerism. All tastes are catered.

So if someone still thinks that Russians lack anything he will live a real disillusion. Those times have gone. 
Like in any shops in Europe during any season you will find in Russian shops everything you want or dream to see. (I remember seeing our Moscow municipal house cleaner browsing on his iPhone3 a month before they were officially launched in Russia. Funny, no?)

Modern Russians are curious and open to new consumer world discoveries. Different manufactures from all over the world dream of entering the Russian market, hoping to conquer millions of new customers who will taste, use, try anything which is considered fashionable

...to such extend that only a good taste (and definitely money, which is never enough) will remain in real shortage!

Russian dinner drinking habits (vodka and not only)

I was invited recently to one Russian friend's house for a dinner and came with a bottle of wine but finally everyone ended up drinking vodka as we are drinking wine. Is it really always like this during your dinners?

asked by Anonymous, Paris


Well, I was sure this question will arise very soon.

To answer shortly.... everything depends on the occasion and the type of dinner you are talking about. You have not specified what was the occasion.
In any case, I am sure it was not a simple family dinner...or maybe you were served a special food which requires only vodka as a drink to accompany (yes, it exists!). Was it this? Pelmeni?


Nevertheless, Russians rarely drink vodka during their ordinary dinner...and rarely drink soft drinks while eating.

TRADITIONS & REALITY

It's well known that vodka is a national Russian drink and there are many books and articles dedicated to this subject.
But to a big disappointment of many foreigners visiting Russian flat, they might see a vodka bottle in the fridge, but unless it is a special occasion their Russian friends will not offer to drink it with their ordinary dinner. The maximum you would get will be a bottle (or two) of beer to go as your aperitif. (Sounds not too much Russian but this is the reality)


More that that, it is possible that even water will not be offered. Why? Simply because we don't drink during the meal, but always finish our meal with 1-2-3 cups of hot tea.

But it will be a different case if you are invited to a special occasion dinner. Where a lot of food will be served and people are planning to spend hours and hours at the table.

Of cause traditions are changing and the influence of Western culture is changing the look of traditional Russian meal, but still some things hardly will change.

For example, the fact that Russians drink pure vodka and never mix it with juice or soft drink. Alcohol cocktails are not our favorite drinks.

So for the special occasion dinner you will probably find on the table from the first course till the desert standing side by side the following drinks :

-vodka (for men & women)
-sweet red wine (for women)
-sparkling white wine (Russian version of champagne) (for women and some men)
-cognac /whiskey (for men)

-sweet liqueur (for older women)
-beer (for men & rarely women)
-juice or soda (for children)

Sometimes there will be a sparkling bottled water and if your Russian is good enough you might read on its etiquette that it is a special thermal water for treating digestion problems. Well, that is exactly why it's there and if you look at homemade pictures of Russian special occasion dinners you will understand why you would want a glass of it.

You probably will be surprised to see that people might drink high spirits during the meal as Europeans will drink wine, but at the end of the meal you might not be offered a digestive.

As I said, one thing is sure, every dinner ends with a big pot of tea (or even two) .

But once again , you have your freedom to stay with your drink.

Just one advise, please make sure you never drink less strong drinks after the stronger ones. This rule is international. Otherwise, don't blame Russian vodka for your head ache the day after.

P.S.
I hope to write later a special post to Russian eating habits, but for now, just remember that you will be offered a tea at the end of the dinner or even during, but if you want a glass of water, you might just ask for it.