Starting from the distinction between short-term system transition (new institutional economics, political science) and system transformation as a long-term process of societal change, the author argues that institution-building is a long-term and complicated process and that informal institutions of everyday life do not change as quickly as the newly implemented formal ones. The author has a particular interest in the people's economy of everyday life. He takes a look at three empirical research projects he conducted between 1997 and 2016, investigating whether informal institutions still undermine formal ones that are necessary for the functioning of a market economy. The research projects show particular characteristics. (1) a clear-cut double morality between bureaucracy and the rich, on the one hand, and the small people who have to protect themselves, on the other; (2) It is advantageous to know somebody in the lower bureaucracy (blat or other forms of bribery in everyday life); (3) Agents place strong reliance on personal face-to-face networks, including family networks, and avoid formal institutions. Indeed, many findings of the author support continuity even after almost 30 years of post-socialism, while some changes to the market society occur among better-off people.