Q. Recently I was asked by friends to take a visitor from Germany on a game drive in the Chobe National Park. Unfortunately the visitor had unwisely lunched on some elephant meat from a recent cull and vomited in my new Range Rover, thus bringing the safari to an abrupt end for all concerned.
Being English, I expected at least a sorry and a thank you, but none was forthcoming. How should I deal with this when asked by the friends if the trip was a success?
R.S., Tsetsebjwe, Botswana
A. A recriminatory approach would be unproductive. Instead give an uncritical, factual account of the happenings. Deliver it in the manner of a mystery tale with full build-up and technicolour climax. Culminate with ‘but what was really mysterious was that he neither apologised nor thanked me for the trip, so everyone is absolutely riveted to know what could possibly have been going through his head.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in