Shoes were difficult to find. Generally, in shops there was shortage, but people ordered them. They could afford to order a pair of shoes. A pair of shoes with a reliable sole, that lasted for 7 years would cost 300 lei. I think that Geta still has the shoes that she ordered then. They were of a good quality. (I. H., 29)

My sister had received a pair of elephant leather shoes from a friend in Switzerland. I liked them immensely. I promised to lose 10 kilos, if she gave them to me. No sooner said than done, I lost weight and my sister gave them to me.  I wore them, although they were too tight for me. I generally wore the old shoes of my aunt from Greece. They were two sizes bigger, so I filled the tip with cotton. (111)

During those times, the notion of soling the shoes did not exist, the notion of patching the shoes did not exist. If they broke, we threw them away. The buying force was beyond comparison during those times. (22)

I entered the ?shop? only once. In order to leave abroad he who invited you had to pay a minimum sum of 50 dollars, after which one waited.  When they gave you the passport, they gave you the money as well, without the respective commission. Instead of 50 you received 48 dollars. I waited for 3 or 4 years and I did not receive the visa so I told the friend who had invited me to withdraw his money from Comturist; he told me it was so complicated and disgusting and that I could use the money myself. I entered a ? shop? because I had to bribe a doctor. So I could see what they had in those ? shops?. Jeans, whiskey, cigarettes, salami, Alvorada coffee, which was not so great, but better than Ersatz, electrical equipment.