The Eighth Tribe, 1981 (8. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1981-10-01 / 10. szám

Page 6

THE EIGHTH TRIBE

October, 1981

The contrast between those who have and have not is causing resentment.

“People see that quite a few manage to drive expensive cars, buy flashy jewelry, spend a fortune on vacations, pay cash for summer homes,” one young Hungarian said.

“Obviously, it’s not from their salaries. We resent this.”

★ ★ ★

There is a wave of nostalgia in Hungary. At the Pesti Theater, Hungarian playwright Jeno Heltai’s “Tunderlaki Lányok” (“The Girls of Tunderlak”) was playing to a full house. The musical comedy was written in 1912.

Although theater tickets are inexpensive (subsidized by the government), if you want top seats it is advisable to tip at the box office.

In fact, tipping (called “borravaló” in Hungarian — meaning literally “for wine”) is everywhere.

Hungarians tip waiters to get into a packed restaurant. They tip the headwaiter for quick service. They slip the butcher extra for a nice cut.

And they tip the doctor when they go for a free visit at a state clinic.

Hungarians are not allowed to carry out transactions among themselves in Western currency. In fact, playing the black market can result in a jail term.

I was stopped several times by Hungarians on the street (“I give you double what the bank gives,” one said) but I always declined.

★ ★ ★

There are 60,000 Soviet troops in Hungary. They keep a low profile. In my travels, I noticed not a single Soviet soldier in or out of uniform.

There is a popular song in Hungary today I feel sums up contemporary life there. It goes like this: We have learned about victory That to participate (in the battle) is more important

That defeat also pays well And the victor is much more tired

It’s OK like this.

And if the ride is a bit rough Say nothing, it could be worse.

I understand, without a word You cannot go against the wind.

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