My girlfriend is from 1949

Some passersby initially just glanced at the scene with a good intention.

They were attracted by the televisions from China and the favorable loans.

According to Soviet-era regulations, loans were generally not intended for personal consumption.

Although I did apply for a mortgage last year.

However, this measure was later cancelled for some reasons.

Because a rationing system is currently in place, strict controls are being implemented on personal consumption.

You need a ticket to buy things.

It's even more impossible to get banks to pay for personal consumption.

Although it allows banks to earn interest, it is restricted due to the system.

Therefore, even for people in the capital, buying a television set is an extremely luxurious thing.

Similar to how people buy cars in later generations, it was difficult to pay the full amount upfront without a bank loan.

Therefore, many people who are interested in television sets can only look on with envy because they are short of money.

This time, however, the higher-ups gave the green light, and all issues were handled on a case-by-case basis.

It can turn a gradually growing neighbor into a rich but defenseless leek (a metaphor for being exploited).

Providing some convenience is well worth it!

So when many people learned that buying a television not only didn't require any receipts or vouchers, but also allowed them to get a loan from a bank, they were immediately tempted.

Furthermore, it's unclear how long this loan policy will last.

It also gives people a sense of urgency that once the opportunity is missed, it's gone forever.

Driven by this mentality, many people have also joined the ranks of those taking out loans.

After all, such opportunities are rare, and you might not be able to buy a TV after this period.

Getting another TV ticket is no easy task.

Just like in China in the 1980s and 90s, it was difficult to get a ration coupon if you wanted to buy a bicycle.

They could make a fortune by reselling even a single ticket, and tickets were extremely hard to come by!

The same situation exists in the Soviet Union at this time.

Moreover, even if they managed to get tickets, buying them at full price is not something an ordinary family can afford.

So even if many people are interested, they usually can't afford it.

But things are different now; there are multiple loan options available.

Buying a television is no longer just a dream!

Young people, in particular, how could they possibly resist the temptation of the television?

In addition, the TV series currently airing has given everyone a different understanding of television.

Ivan sat in front of a shed, with a bank employee sitting at the table opposite him.

What is the loan interest rate?

"30% down payment, annualized interest rate as low as 2%."

"Zero down payment loans are even available?"

"Yes, you can take the goods home without spending a single penny."

"..."

Ivan consulted earnestly, and the staff on the other end patiently responded.

Their attitude was so good that it made people wonder if they were real staff.

Her patient and smiling work attitude made her seem like a completely different person.

This kind of mentality is not hard to understand.

For example, when China's social security system was first implemented, the authorities set targets, and everyone had to bring in customers.

So back then, people from the insurance company would come to our door with gifts and even treat us to a meal.

The staff were very friendly when I went to handle the business.

Unlike now, so aloof!

The staff member sitting opposite Ivan had also been given a task by his supervisor.

If you don't sign enough loan agreements, your allowance will be deducted.

Therefore, in order to complete the task, they naturally dared not put on airs or show any displeasure.

Just like the transformation of state-owned service workers into private enterprises, those who have experienced it understand that kind of change better.

That's why Ivan felt like he was dreaming.

However, a good service attitude can indeed improve performance.

After listening to the patient explanation, Ivan chose the zero-down-payment loan.

Although the interest rate is relatively high, it is currently the most suitable option for me.

Besides Ivan, others are also actively seeking loans.

There was a couple next door who seemed to be getting married in the next few days and wanted to take out a loan to buy a TV and a radio.

With the support of bank loans, more and more people are buying.

Of course, the bank loan officer was also all smiles.

This is real achievement. Even if I don't get promoted by the end of the year, I can still get a raise!

Besides these large electronic products, business is booming in other areas as well.

The stalls selling Sachima and peanut candy, in particular, were surrounded by adults and children.

Previously, imported candies were not accepted by the public because they were not sweet enough.

But this time, the peanut brittle was really sweet.

The fructose syrup factories in the new China are operating at full capacity, so you can have as sweet a syrup as you want, absolutely satisfying sugar lovers!

Meanwhile, at the stall next to it, there were piles of glass bottles stacked up.

Each glass bottle is printed with a beautiful picture.

A brightly colored white fungus, and a picture of white fungus and lotus seed soup.

Even through the glass bottle, you can clearly see the crystal-clear silver ear fungus inside.

Next to it, several Russian characters were printed in bold: "For Imperial Use in the Chinese Court!"

And next to it, there was a sign explaining the health benefits of eating white fungus.

And the reason why white fungus has been known as one of the eight delicacies in China for thousands of years and was included in the imperial court.

Even now, it's a nourishing product that only the wealthy can afford.

Of course, this is the official explanation; foreigners who have visited China know that white fungus is very precious.

However, they were unaware that the new China had already adopted the cultivation methods used in later generations.

Tremella is no longer a delicacy enjoyed only by the wealthy, but a common beverage that can be found in canteens and consumed by ordinary workers.

However, in this age of information isolation, who can know the situation in China?

However, in the Soviet Union's understanding, silver ear fungus was distributed in the forest areas of the Soviet Far East and Siberia, growing on decaying broad-leaved wood, and was considered a wild fungal resource.

It is also a relatively rare item, and its price is not cheap either.

Seeing precious white fungus being made into a beverage, and with a mysterious royal recipe at that, only fuels my goodwill.

Moreover, the price is not expensive, only slightly more expensive than canned meat, which is completely within an acceptable range.

Given the current domestic production of white fungus, it will naturally no longer be sold at a high price as a rare commodity.

However, unlike the dirt-cheap products of later generations, this was a nourishing product that could be sold in large quantities without appearing cheap.

It's similar to how people in China in the 1970s and 80s wanted to eat canned fruit.

We can afford it, but because of the price, we can't eat it often.

The Soviet people had never seen marketing tactics like those of later generations, especially since there was also a court before, which made it seem even more mysterious.

Since we were already there, we naturally had to buy a can to take home and try.

The purpose of the trade fair is not to make money, but simply to promote the event and let everyone know about it and accept it.

Only after entering department stores can they be sold normally, right?

Ivan and his girlfriend each held a sachima (a type of Chinese pastry) in their left hand and a jar of white fungus and lotus seed soup in their right.

With a broad smile, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Chinese food is amazing!"