Are you serious?! No kidding, they said it! International Relations Lite

International NJK day?  "NJ" because these one-liners which otherwise taken out of context would not seem humorous in and of themselves. Coinciding with really serious stuff -- if you hadn't heard them on "World News Live" the last few days, you'd think they were in jest. At a serious time. Serious subjects. Potentially provocative if the other party completely lacked humor. If poorly timed, could easily start a real calamity, an international incident..."SERIOUSLY?! " 

Let's clear the air, from their lips to...How many times have we seen, read this...situations that where you walked into the room and the ambient intensity was already palpable and a spokesperson, in an attempt to lower the temperature says something well-intended, but ill-timed, poorly worded, which ends up heating things up to such a degree the principals in charge of easing a potentially catastrophic situation are literally sweating under the collar? A spokesperson, well schooled in the area of immediate interest, as well as diplomacy and language skills in general, end up saying something extemporaneously to a reporter, at a press conference, or more casual interview that, at a distance (geographical, historical, otherwise out of context) actually sounds humorous? Such as in the continuing salvos between the U.S., Australia, China, North Korea, France...Such as:

"...in the attempt for the North Korean administration to go ballistic by launching missiles from trains... concerned countries are trying to derail..." 

"...the security partnership between the United States and Australia, dubbed "AUKUS" is seen by international security analysts a push to rein in Beijing's expanding military might..." "...the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson fired back, calling it extremely irresponsible, that they'll end up shooting themselves in the foot..." (NK!)..."...and the French, feeling snubbed, (for being 'de-subbed' I guess, MY insertion here, my own ill-timed...)...fired their own salvo at both US and AUSSIES, "...they undermined...they sunk the deal...they'll regret..." To which another spokesperson, in part a response to this individual, both a polished wordsmith and schooled in international diplomacy, commented, "...it's not completely torpedoed..." ***all the foregoing liberally paraphrased, out of context, all for effect, all for your your enjoyment...

From our lips to...don't try this at...Let alone us mere mortals, the 'unwashed', not having been schooled in the area of immediate interest, international relations, or in being professional comedians. Come on, we've all been there, whether we've spun a pun in an attempt to turn heads and it is instead greeted with either a blank stare, contemptuous countenance, or just dead silence...even professional comedians find themselves occasionally alone on the stage, naked...as in "Come on, you're killing me up here...help me out!" When parents lament about their son or daughter's propensity to be the "Class clown!" and I don't immediately join them in their expressed concern, they understandably give me a quizzical look or wonder if they're in the right place for parental guidance. Until I 'provoke' them to think about what professional comedians do well, practice at home with more forgiving people before taking their show on the road. Such as: timing, delivery, and audience awareness..."As of right now your teen is weak (aka "sucks") at all three..." Sometimes even said in the presence of their child who, a minute before was full of themselves, but now a bit crestfallen, humbled...Followed, after a pregnant pause for effect, "But together we can embrace this natural trait and show her/him how to better apply it, for their own good and others near to them..." Now I have attention of the teen and parents in my audience...We can all use practice with both humor and diplomacy...seriously...

Afterwards, words: So when do you try to backtrack, go back an clarify what you said, either by providing more context, provide a soft apology (e.g., "Sorry it made you feel that way..."), or let the words stand for themselves, let time heal, let history judge? Sometimes, as the maxim goes, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt", the origins of which go as far back in time as the Book of Proverbs, but attributed to some other 'wise' men since, Mark Twain and Abe Lincoln among them...

Some things...Best left unsaid. I've yet to overhear, whether in or out of my office, a 'sincere' attempt to make a joke of the ongoing pandemic; even distant in time, there aren't many found funnies regarding those in the past. On the other hand, we can ALL agree, we are ALL in need of some good humor these days...as long as it's well timed, delivered, and to the right audience. And, based of even the small number of international incidents I've shared with you here, effective diplomacy, international relations, will always be in demand. So there you go, another occupational option for the future. Don't tell me I didn't tell you so.

Please, humor me: and return for yet another post here; I'm not quite done with you, not quite out of material, contrary to some opinionists, obviously lacking a sense of humor themselves...