--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It doesn't matter how many televisions…" description: "\"It doesn't matter how many televisions and computers and pieces of stereo equipment the Chinese send to us, even if they're sending them to us only in ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/p-j-o-rourke-184_balanced_it-doesn-t-matter-how-many-televisions-a_2450954.jpg" --- # It doesn't matter how many televisions and computers and… ![“It doesn't matter how many televisions and computers and pieces of stereo equipment the Chinese send to us, even if they're sending them to us only in return for some funny, little, green pieces of paper. That is a balanced trade. They got what they wanted: the green pieces of paper. We got what…” quote by P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/p-j-o-rourke-184_balanced_it-doesn-t-matter-how-many-televisions-a_2450954.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/p-j-o-rourke-184_balanced_it-doesn-t-matter-how-many-televisions-a_2450954.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/p-j-o-rourke-184_balanced_it-doesn-t-matter-how-many-televisions-a_2450954.jpg) > “It doesn't matter how many televisions and computers and pieces of stereo equipment the Chinese send to us, even if they're sending them to us only in return for some funny, little, green pieces of paper. That is a balanced trade. They got what they wanted: the green pieces of paper. We got what we wanted: the plush toys, the computers, the stereo components.” [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Trade can be a reciprocal exchange where each side gets what they value, even if the items differ. **In simple terms:** Trade swaps valued items, even if different. Key Takeaway Recognize differing values in exchanges. Themes economics culture value exchange Mood analytical critical Type economic cultural When to use this quote - Import negotiations - consumer purchases - international diplomacy - personal bartering Key Concepts Trade theory cultural perception Questions to Reflect On - What do you value more than money? - How do cultural differences affect perceived fairness? A Different Perspective Assumes both sides are satisfied, ignoring power imbalances. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Balanced](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balanced/) [Balanced Trade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balanced-trade-570851/) [China](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/china/) [Chinese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chinese/) [Chinese Send](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chinese-send-570850/) [Components](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/components/) [Computer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computer/) [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Computers Pieces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers-pieces-570852/) [Equipment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equipment/) [Equipment Chinese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equipment-chinese-570849/) [Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/green/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Paper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paper/) [Pieces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pieces/) [Return](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/return/) [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) [Toys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toys/) [Trade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trade/) [Wanted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted/) ## Related quotes > [You can put these things into the hands of some Chinese and send him to Hong Kong and we'll have cleared chinks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-ron-hubbard/you-can-put-these-things-into-the-hands-of-some-chinese-and-send-him/) [L. 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