Quentin of that ilk- in all his formality knew the value
of Noblesse-Oblige. He made his point in public
by giving everyone their formal title. Having fixed them
in that title he made them his host, and himself their guest.
It was as if he knew the value of public roles.
It is recorded that he was publicly caught short in this technique
only once, when at his first New York press conference he was asked
a question and spoke of Mr Christ, not realising that publicly
pronouncing as a guest on religion of his host country was better left undone.
He got away with it because he referred to 'Mr Christ',
which seemed memorably absurd, intentionally funny in it's formality
and distancing effect. So I say to anyone who wants to make
their demands seem well reasoned and modest then be formal with others
- however weird it seems - whether you get the result you want or not,
it will leave both you and your putative host very much calmer.
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