Bueckware

"Bueckware" -- literally, "stoop goods" -- takes on a slightly different meaning depending on the current political and economic situation. These days, everyone knows that the cheaper no-name brands are located on the bottom shelves. Customers have to stoop down to get them, while the pricy brand-name products are located at eye level. During the Second World War, shortages led to rationing. Then, "Bueckware" referred to the luxury items -- perhaps chocolate, eggs or sausage -- that store keepers kept hidden under the counter. They were sold only to trusted friends or in exchange for a favor. The situation in communist East Germany was similar. Goods like those pictured here were put on display. But as a favor, or in exchange for one, shop owners would stoop behind the counter to dig out hard-to-come-by things like exotic fruits or even illegal items like record albums from West Germany.