From Letters from China:
How did laowai (老外, foreigner) negotiate with the Chinese exporters during the Cultural Revolution? In the good old days, the standard opening at the Canton Trade Fair was:
Laowai buyer: The Mao Zedong thought is so great and ever-victorious. Is it possible to lower the price of this product?
Chinese exporter: Serve the people! The price can be negotiated. The key is your quantity …
Chairman Mao’s teaching is not unlike business cliche – people just stick to it although everyone knows it’s complete nonsense.
Source:
Hong Kong Ming Pao
(伟大的毛泽东思想战无不胜，这件货品的价钱可否再降低一点。
为人民服务，价钱可以再商量，关键是你的量有多大。)
