Torsello, Davide - Pappová, Melinda: Social Networks in Movement. Time, interaction and interethnic spaces in Central Eastern Europe - Nostra Tempora 8. (Somorja-Dunaszerdahely, 2003)
Time and social networks
54 Árendás Zsuzsanna supplementary activities (marketing, and “black business”, such as buying milk and wine in the village and selling it in the town at a considerable profit) provided them with a normal standard of living. Their economic situation changed in the beginning of 1950s, when the agricultural delivery obligations (beszolgáltatás) started, putting a heavy burden on each family living from agriculture. During this period, the Germans who found a place in the rapidly growing industry became better-off than the families stuck to land and farming. In the Hungarians this caused a feeling of economic deprivation, and in such a situation jealousy. The house: informal/private sphere Although the living together of families from the two, “exchanged” ethnic groups happened to be a non-voluntary encounter, this fact did not cause deep conflicts in everyday life. Paradoxically, friendships and good personal relations emerged from this period. The interdependence and difficult conditions encouraged them to accept each other and cooperate. The Hungarians offered working possibilities to the Germans at harvest time. Also they (the Upper Hungarians) did not claim German properties in most cases (e.g. furniture, personal objects in the houses), to which legally they were entitled. A certain level of trust developed between these families coming from the two ethnic groups, and in exchange, the Germans shared with the newcomer Hungarians their local knowledge and networks (e.g. information about black market activities, agricultural experiences). This early sympathy might be explained by the meeting of two very similar value systems, where hard physical work and the increase of material wealth stayed on top of the list. The church: formal/public sphere In the very first period after settlement, the Sunday church provided an occasion for meeting each other. Both the natives (“Old Hungarians” and Germans) and the newcomers
