poradnik (waiting list).

Waiting lists were an essential part of acquiring any important goods under communism. Because of low state-mandated prices, citizens could “afford” just about everything – from cars to refrigerators to stereos. However, the inefficiency of the economy and the low prices themselves meant that all of these goods were available only in limited quantities. Thus, to acquire a new car, for example, one had to take a number in a waiting list which might stretch for several years. This naturally gave rise to corruption as favors and money were exchanged for a better place on the list.