Page 194 - harryDEC12_clean.iba

"Ah - our German friend," he says, gets up from his place, throws out his arm and says very audibly: „Heil Hitler!“
At first some brokers burst out in stentorian laughter, but that quickly gave way to an embarrassed silence. Albeit, there was this dry and often sly wit running through the whole of ‘Lloyd's at all times, in fact at the time many people thought (or hoped) it was a satire and irresistible funny - in retrospect the preposterous nature of it was often rather embarrassing. So it was at this moment. There was recognition that a boundary had been crossed, a boundary, a transgression that was not justified by English humor in its abnormal extreme form. These were not courtly manners, and out of place: that was the general feeling. John did not hesitate for long, he wanted to put an end to the embarrassing situation, and so he went to Stuart and said:
„Stuart. I think it’d be better if we met you tomorrow in your office - when you have sobered up a bit“
Stuart nodded, obviously aware of the embarrassment he had caused, and made an apologetic hand movement in my direction. We left the underwriting room. I felt nevertheless insulted, but John’s only comment was:
„We’ll turn this gaffe to our advantage. Cheer up, old son."
This incident however caused a resolve on my part to acquire for myself the ability of spontaneous summing up of the comedy in a situation, which was common to Englishmen and was articulated on every suitable or unsuitable occasion in sharp-tongued (sometimes even in insulting or contemptuous) expressions, and to beat them with their own weapons. My aim was to work on my eloquence and to be able to react cleverly and humorously to every situation and to master it, so as to survive in this Market. Quickly I realized that the key was to watch TV series such as "Black Adder", "Allo Allo" and "Yes Minister". I delved into the matter and within a year I attained a mastery that put many an Englishman in the shade. Coupled with intonation and correct timing, I quickly become unbeatable and used the acquired skill as a means of getting the upper hand - an attitude that would stay with me in my later life.
oOo
The next morning at 11 a.m.
John and I went to Stuart‘s office. Stuart met me with a look on his face that
expressed sincere regret:
„I’m really sorry, sir. That was quite out of order.“
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