those who have no direct experience, a friend sent me this old joke,
one he first told me years ago when the SU was still a going, yet tottering, concern.
A Western academic was visiting the former Soviet Russia.
He went with his local colleague to a supermarket.
The Westerner was surprised to see that there were only two checkout counters in such a large store.
Overcome by curiosity, he asked his colleague,
"Professor, why are there only two checkout counters here? In the West, we would have at least seven."
The academic replied, "Oh, that is due to the remarkable efficiency of our glorious Soviet economy."
"How so?" asked his now very curious Western guest.
"Simple.", replied the local.
"One writes down what one needs on a piece of paper and takes it to the first counter.
The woman at the first counter reads it and replies
"нет (Net; There isn't any)".
One then takes one's order to the second counter where the woman there reads it and replies
"и их не будет (I ikh ne budet; And there won't be any)".