Growing up in rural socialist Yugoslavia during the 1970s and 1980s, I became accustomed to a lifestyle typical of the region. Most families owned houses, though they were often old, small and largely unfinished, relying as they did on ongoing slow acquisition of money and materials with which to resume previous years' work. Some of the households owned cars, most of which were small and aging basic models. It was common to work the fields or perform odd jobs to supplement the regular income. Purchase of items outside of basic necessities required careful budgeting. Life was hard, but one could get by.
What made it harder was exposure to the modern Western lifestyle - particularly that from USA and Western Europe - that entered our homes via television. Most families owned a TV set. Imported movies and TV series were frequently watched; I remember Dynasty and Dallas being particularly popular. From them, we learned that living in new, spacious, and well furnished homes was commonplace in the West. Everyone owned cars, which were newer, faster and much larger and more sophisticated than the ones we had. In fact, very few material worries seemed to afflict these people.
Our impressions were confirmed by our countrymen who used to live in our midst but had since moved abroad. They returned for infrequent visits, often building expensive houses in our neighbourhoods and driving expensive cars. We weren't familiar with the trials and tribulations of their affluent lifestyle, but watching their display, we could clearly see what ours lacked. We aspired to be like them.
What made it harder was exposure to the modern Western lifestyle - particularly that from USA and Western Europe - that entered our homes via television. Most families owned a TV set. Imported movies and TV series were frequently watched; I remember Dynasty and Dallas being particularly popular. From them, we learned that living in new, spacious, and well furnished homes was commonplace in the West. Everyone owned cars, which were newer, faster and much larger and more sophisticated than the ones we had. In fact, very few material worries seemed to afflict these people.
Our impressions were confirmed by our countrymen who used to live in our midst but had since moved abroad. They returned for infrequent visits, often building expensive houses in our neighbourhoods and driving expensive cars. We weren't familiar with the trials and tribulations of their affluent lifestyle, but watching their display, we could clearly see what ours lacked. We aspired to be like them.