Bloodless Coup

Going to a gossip blog for lessons in diplomacy

On handshaking:

Some politicians (I won't name names, but you know who I mean) won't shake Hugo's hand. It's not that Sarkozy thinks Chavez is a great guy or an example of good governance, but that he appreciates that Chavez is in charge of Venezuela, so he shakes hands. Grownups in general, but diplomats in particular, have to learn to be polite to each other, even when they disagree on basic things like whether Hugo Chavez ought to shut the hell up, or whether Hugo Chavez is a crook, or whether Hugo Chavez is a stain on the face of humanity.