Women’s Reflections on Food Rationing in the 1980s
Annotation
During a series of oral history interviews conducted in Braşov, Romania, during the summer of 2003, “S” and “M” discuss the various strategies they used to procure food and concoct meals for their families during the period of rationing in the 1980s. Meanwhile “E” offers insight into Romanian hospitality, stressing that even in the midst of mass shortages, women managed to lay out a full table of food for friends and guests from abroad.
This source is a part of the Women in Romania teaching module.
Text
Women’s Reflections on Food Rationing in the 1980s
S. born 1954, employed at the telephone company under communism, currently working as an
artist, married, three children, interviewed in Braşov, Romania, summer, 2003.
And then you’d hear a voice: they’ve got telemea! [feta cheese] You’d rush down the stairs to be at the
front of the line... and if you had a kid next to you they’d give you two times [the regular] quantity.... And
kids, you’d borrow them. For example I had a neighbor [who would ask] won’t you give me Nae so I can
wait in line.
M. born 1955, worked as an electrician under communism, now unemployed, married with two
children, interviewed in Braşov, Romania, summer, 2003.
I’d come home, sit down on the chair in the kitchen and begin to invent meals... because I couldn’t follow
a cookbook.... I needed to see [what I could possibly make], hmmm, what food will I make tonight... if
you followed a cookbook... I don’t have parsley... I can’t make this because I need cheese... so then I
prepared food that you would not find in any recipe.... I would make the first and second course and I
only had potatoes... I would make potato soup and mashed potatoes... I’d add a vegetable... some eggs
with flour…and also make a goulash soup....
E. born 1948, office worker under communism, currently a homemaker, married, one child,
interviewed in Braşov, Romania, summer, 2003.
Romanians are very curious. When foreigners would visit friends during the Ceauşescu period and
everything was rationed... the freezer was full of chicken, of meat, everything. It’s incredible, the
inventiveness of Romanians.... How did you get a hold of it [food]... I can’t say.... If you went to anyone’s
house, they’d put it on the table like you wouldn’t believe. Everyone managed, everyone had relations.
Source: Anonymous Interviewees, interview by Jill Massino, oral histories, Brasov, Romania (Summer,
2003), tape, Indiana University Institute for the Study of History and Memory
Credits
Anonymous Interviewees, interview by Jill Massino, oral histories, Brasov, Romania (Summer, 2003), tape, Indiana University Institute for the Study of History and Memory.