Modern social etiquette and eloquence

Chapter 26 Diplomatic etiquette and eloquence in foreign affairs (3)
The same strategy was used by Adenauer as well.As a protocol, Mrs. Nixon was often Adenauer's dinner partner at the White House and other diplomatic occasions.Adenauer has been an enthusiastic gardening enthusiast since childhood. From the conversation, he learned that Mrs. Nixon also liked to grow flowers, so when he came to Nixon's house, he asked to see his small garden.A few weeks later, he shipped 100 rose branches from the Federal Republic of Germany.In March of the following year, when Adenauer visited the United States again, he first sent someone to say that he wanted to see Nixon.The two parties made an appointment to meet at Nixon's house at 3 o'clock one evening, and Prime Minister Adenauer's car drove up to the house 6 minutes before the agreed time.He told Mrs. Nixon, who came to answer the door, that he had come early to see how his rose branches survived the harsh winter. When Nixon arrived home at 15:6, he was surprised to find that Adenauer was already standing in the small garden, talking about roses with Mrs. Nixon, and his expression was the same as when he discussed the world situation with Nixon later.Adenauer's visit to Nixon's family and his discussion with Mrs. Nixon on raising flowers are undoubtedly some very personal matters.This was part of Adenauer's diplomacy, in which he managed to juggle private and state affairs with great success.Columnist Ruth Montgomery wrote: "The friendship between the 84-year-old German chancellor and the 47-year-old American captivated officials in Washington. The two political activists met and discussed many times at least in the early days. The most recent one has certainly been the most gracious." "If Nixon were in the White House, Adenauer would seem prepared to once again establish the close bond he had with the late Secretary of State John Foster Dulles." The foundation has been laid for ties." These words reflect the purpose of Adenauer's above-mentioned actions and their impact on state affairs: In addition to national friendship, friendship between people is also very important, and he can promote the relationship between the two countries. .

[-]. Jokes: relaxed atmosphere, helpful for conversation
The particularity of diplomatic activities determines that the atmosphere of the conversation between the two countries is serious, and the words and sentences are solemn.But this is not to say that during the entire communication process, both parties can only keep a straight face and be serious.Make jokes at the right time and say a few jokes, but it will help the progress and development of the talks.

The magical effect of jokes are as follows.

1. Active atmosphere
Appropriate jokes can create a relaxed atmosphere for the communication between the two parties, and can make the other party feel their own comfortable and confident mental state.

Such was Comrade Chen Yi's short opening remarks at a press conference in 1965.After welcoming journalists from various countries to China for news interviews, he changed the subject and said with a smile:

"Your Excellency, journalists from all over the world, be vigilant! You are in danger of being brainwashed once you come to China."

Everyone burst into laughter, and the atmosphere of the venue suddenly became lively. Chen Yi also left a deep and beautiful first impression on everyone.

2. Get out of embarrassing situations
When U.S. President Ronald Reagan visited Canada for the first time after he became president, he encountered many anti-American demonstrators who interrupted his speech.This embarrassed Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau who was accompanying him somewhat.Reagan certainly didn't blame Trudeau.So what did Reagan say?He said to Trudeau in a joking tone with a smile on his face:
"This kind of thing happens in the US. I think these people must have come to your country from the US on purpose, they want to make me feel at home."

After hearing this, Trudeau, who frowned tightly, suddenly smiled, and the embarrassing atmosphere between the two parties was swept away.

3. Solve substantive issues

After the war, many countries in Asia demanded compensation from Japan for war losses.When Indonesian President Sukarno paid a state visit to Japan, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida expected that he might also have this idea, so he took a pre-emptive approach to silence him.Yoshida Shigeru said with a smile on his face:
"I have been looking forward to your visit. Your country always blows typhoons towards us, causing serious losses to Japan. I have been waiting for you to come so that I can ask you to compensate us for the losses caused by your typhoons." After finishing speaking , Shigeru Yoshida laughed loudly, and Sukarno was stunned and speechless after hearing this.He decided not to raise the issue of Japan's war reparations, which was rare in Sukarno's diplomatic career.Therefore, the role of jokes in diplomacy is also great.

[-]. Master the "fickle" diplomatic language skills

The situation in foreign exchanges is often complicated and changeable, and unexpected things often happen.This requires diplomats to adapt to the situation and respond flexibly.Therefore, flexible response has become another principle that must be followed when using foreign language.Flexible response has the following two meanings.

1. Local selection of materials
In foreign communication activities, the communicators associate the communication mission with the scene, place, and time of speaking, which can make the other party feel cordial and natural, thus establishing a good image for themselves.

In 1987, Gong Liu led a delegation of Chinese writers to visit the Federal Republic of Germany.When he delivered a speech at a cocktail party held by world celebrities, he said:

"...Almost at the same time as the Chinese writers delegation arrived in Hannover, Chinese Foreign Minister Mr. Wu Xueqian and your country's Foreign Minister Mr. Genscher held friendly talks in Bonn. This coincidence has a profound meaning. It tells people that apart from the government-to-government People's diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy, the two go hand in hand, like the two rails on which a train moves. Schbeel tonight is the Bonn of people's diplomacy, the other Bonn (applause). And, I also I would like to add that this kind of people-to-people diplomacy cannot be replaced by a handshake between government ministers (applause). You represent the people of Schbeel, Lower Saxony and the Federal Republic of Germany, and we represent the Chinese people. If I say that the people and the people are brothers, I believe that you will nod happily. Because there has never been any suspicion, contradiction or hostility between the Chinese people and the German people. This is the fact (applause)."

Gong Liu grasped the timing coincidence that the delegation of Chinese writers and Chinese Foreign Minister Wu Xueqian were visiting the Federal Republic of Germany at the same time, flexibly responded, and said some passionate words.He first explained that people-to-people diplomacy and official diplomacy go hand in hand, and then further explained that people-to-people diplomacy cannot be replaced. Finally, he enthusiastically praised the profound friendship between the people.

2. Quickly come up with countermeasures

In the process of foreign exchanges, when encountering sudden changes or deadlocks, diplomats are required to be flexible and quickly come up with contingency countermeasures.

In April 1964, at the preparatory meeting for the second Asian-African Conference held in Jakarta, Indonesia, the Indian representative proposed to invite the former Soviet Union to participate, but the former Soviet Union was a European country, so India’s proposal was not received by other countries except Ceylon. agreed, and was firmly opposed by the Chinese representative, Foreign Minister Chen Yi, and the entire conference fell into disagreement.By 4 p.m. on April 4, the meeting group will reach an agreement to postpone the discussion on the issue of inviting the former Soviet Union to participate, put it on hold, and submit it to the second Asian-African Conference summit meeting to be held the following year for a decision.However, this will inevitably cause the summit meeting to fall into disputes on this issue from the very beginning and even lead to the breakdown of the meeting. If it is forced to pass, it will ruin the spirit of the Bandung Conference and damage the unity of Asia and Africa.How to do?It is no longer possible to ask the country for instructions, and it is too late to even call the delegation together for a meeting, because at 14 pm is the banquet for the representatives of various countries to see them off.At this time, some country representatives suggested that the chairman of the conference exercise his powers and not allow the former Soviet Union to participate.But Chen Yi thinks that these are not feasible.Because the chairman has no right to veto the resolutions of the subcommittee, and the spirit of the Bandung meeting is consensus, and voting cannot be used.Finally, Chen Yi spoke again, saying:
"I am very sad. Why must the question of the participation of the Soviet Union be brought up at this meeting, causing our Asian-African Conference to break down? The debates at the meeting have been fierce for a few days, but fundamentally speaking, I am willing to share with you We are also willing to cooperate with Indian representatives to make the meeting a success. We cannot allow the interests of Asian and African countries to be sold to a certain big country, but we still have to take into account the overall situation of Asian-African unity when discussing specific issues. Certain concessions are made. Therefore, I propose—”

Chen Yi paused for a while, and the audience was silent, nervously waiting for the decisive next words:

"The resolution on the question of inviting the Soviet Union to participate can be written as follows. Some countries advocate the invitation, while some countries oppose it; Unanimous agreement. According to this passage, there is no consensus on the issues of invitation and submission to the summit meeting for discussion. According to the practice of international conferences, issues that have not reached consensus at the preparatory meeting cannot be included in the agenda of the summit meeting What's more, according to the spirit of the Bandung Conference, the Asian-African Conference also has a principle of consensus, that is, in the absence of a consensus agreement, the conference will not be forced to accept the opinions of certain countries."

This passage actually rejected India's proposal, but Chen Yi's proposal could be accepted by India because it could reflect the efforts of the Indian representatives at the meeting, so the conference adopted Chen Yi's proposal in the final communiqué.Obviously, if Chen Yi does not adopt a flexible attitude and come up with a corresponding plan, the entire meeting may be deadlocked.

[-]. Indispensable sign language skills in diplomatic activities
Due to the different customs and habits of different ethnic groups and countries, the meanings expressed by the same gestures are not only different, but also quite different.In diplomatic activities, if you don't pay attention to it, it will cause jokes or misunderstandings at least, and it will annoy people and even turn against each other.

During World War II, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill stretched out the index finger and middle finger of his right hand in a speech to form a "V" gesture to express victory.Since then, this gesture has been widely circulated, and people like to make this gesture when celebrating victory or congratulating success.Whereas Churchill used the gesture with the palms out, in other parts of the world people now tend to turn the backs of the hands out.This "V" gesture with the back of the hand facing outward is absolutely forbidden in the UK, because it does not mean victory, but outrage.In Greece, not only is this gesture unusable, but even a Churchillian gesture can cause trouble, especially if you do not extend your arms too long when making this gesture, otherwise it is disrespectful.

Form a circle with your thumb and index finger, and then stretch out the other three fingers. This is an "OK" gesture that originated in the United States, expressing praise and promise.This gesture is also commonly used in Europe.However, in the south of France, Greece, Sardinia, etc., the meaning is just the opposite.When a grape grower in southern France pours wine to a guest, if he sees the "OK" gesture of the guest, he will immediately show displeasure, because this gesture is not to boast of the mellowness of the wine here, but to indicate inferior quality. mean.Farther south, in Malta, Greece, etc., the sign signifies something even worse, a silent and vicious curse.

(End of this chapter)