The transformation of the system in Poland is a process which has lasted over ten years. The ’90s was a period of making changes in political, economic and sodal options and at the same time gathering practical experience involving the range of issues connected with the consequences of the introduced reforms. The economic subjects had the opportunity to confront the planned and the expected results of these changes with the actual ones, both in micro and macro scales. The costs of transformation have become with time a very real concept. The new economic and sodal situation for individuals and sodal groups is significantly varied with reference to the opportunities and dangers posed to them. The fact of the entrenching and deepening divisions in sodety should be seen as negative. The article concentrates on the analysis of sodal experience in the process of transformation and the reactions of sodety towards the results of the transformation. The sources of information used are the results of opinion polls and research conducted by CBOS and additionally the results of research by GUS and OBOP. In presenting the changes of opinions expressed in opinion polls, attention has been drawn to the phenomenon of the relativity of the opinions on the entire process of transformation and the particular reforms introduced as part of it. The text has been divided into sections dealing with issues of: - relativization of opinions - changes in the appraisal of the standard of living - increase of feelings of insecurity - new divisions within sodety. The final section puts forward remarks and comments in the form of „initial implications”, where the main stress is put on the need for making the program of changes in state sodal policy more predse.