He hesitated, a cunning look suddenly coming into his eyes. The thing is, just occasionally, you might listen to me. In this case I know what I'm talking about. And, after all, you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours - that's what business is about, they tell me.
Ty mne i ya tebe, people said, a knowing smile on their faces. You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. It was the essential corruption of an under-privileged people. It worked on all levels.
Here the guiding motto was: you scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours - a process to which Malinowski usually referred in more dignified language as reciprocity or give and take.