Humour is an emotional release valve in tense situations. It works as a release when we laugh together. Use humour deliberately and it becomes a powerful tool for handling the emotions when things come to a head. This story comes from a silversmith I met, who told me about his meeting with the Queen.
A little red car is driving in the middle lane of the Helsingør motorway. In the car sits a silversmith. His smile is wide and thoughts are racing through his head. Will she like the gift, and will everything go to plan? This isn’t your everyday silversmith – he’s on his way to dinner with the Queen. What the silversmith doesn’t know is that he’s about to light up the whole party with a single cigarette.
Months earlier, the phone had rung with a representative from the armed forces on the other end of the line. It had been decided that the silversmith’s design was the one to be presented as a gift for the Queen’s 60th birthday on behalf of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.
No, this really wasn’t just another little car in the afternoon traffic. This was a silversmith on his way to a gala dinner at Fredensborg Palace in North Zealand, where he’d been invited as a special thank-you for his great piece of work.
Underpants, patent shoes and knee socks
With military discipline, he’d taken off his trousers and laid them carefully on the passenger seat. He knew how important it was to turn up without the slightest irregularity in his outfit. For heaven’s sake, it mustn’t be creased. And there he sat, behind the wheel with a cigarette in the corner of his mouth, wearing a smart jacket, underpants, patent shoes and knee socks.
With military discipline, he’d taken off his trousers and laid them carefully on the passenger seat. He knew how important it was to turn up without the slightest irregularity in his outfit. For heaven’s sake, it mustn’t be creased. And there he sat, behind the wheel with a cigarette in the corner of his mouth, wearing a smart jacket, underpants, patent shoes and knee socks.
A salute for the defence minister
The little car neared the palace, and he chose to drive right up to the main entrance. Only a few guests had arrived so far, so the silversmith jumped – half-dressed and without a care – out of the car and onto the red carpet. Unfortunately, at that very second, a small and exclusive group of gentlemen rounded the corner. The silversmith instantly recognised the country’s defence minister and a couple of generals. With no good options left, the silversmith quickly straightened up and saluted, which made the generals salute straight back. The silversmith got his trousers on and saw, to his great surprise, that he was to be seated at the top table.
The little car neared the palace, and he chose to drive right up to the main entrance. Only a few guests had arrived so far, so the silversmith jumped – half-dressed and without a care – out of the car and onto the red carpet. Unfortunately, at that very second, a small and exclusive group of gentlemen rounded the corner. The silversmith instantly recognised the country’s defence minister and a couple of generals. With no good options left, the silversmith quickly straightened up and saluted, which made the generals salute straight back. The silversmith got his trousers on and saw, to his great surprise, that he was to be seated at the top table.
The craving for a smoke crept in
It was a bit wild. The Queen of Denmark was sitting right across from him. The starter had just finished, but even so the mood stayed formal, marked by polite, professional laughter. It was perfectly clear that every rule of etiquette was being followed to the letter. But the silversmith soon couldn’t take it any longer. Only two people were allowed to smoke in the great hall, and it felt like torture to sit there breathing in her cigarette smoke. In the end, the silversmith’s craving for a smoke became irresistible.
It was a bit wild. The Queen of Denmark was sitting right across from him. The starter had just finished, but even so the mood stayed formal, marked by polite, professional laughter. It was perfectly clear that every rule of etiquette was being followed to the letter. But the silversmith soon couldn’t take it any longer. Only two people were allowed to smoke in the great hall, and it felt like torture to sit there breathing in her cigarette smoke. In the end, the silversmith’s craving for a smoke became irresistible.
Could I cadge one of your ciggies?
I don’t know what went through his head as he leaned in over the table, looked the Queen deep in the eyes and asked: “Excuse me, Your Majesty. I don’t suppose I could possibly cadge one of your ciggies?” The whole hall held its breath, until suddenly a packet of cigarettes could be seen flying over one of the table decorations and landing in the silversmith’s lap. “Of course you may!” the Queen laughed.
I don’t know what went through his head as he leaned in over the table, looked the Queen deep in the eyes and asked: “Excuse me, Your Majesty. I don’t suppose I could possibly cadge one of your ciggies?” The whole hall held its breath, until suddenly a packet of cigarettes could be seen flying over one of the table decorations and landing in the silversmith’s lap. “Of course you may!” the Queen laughed.
Now the party got going
Everyone laughed with relief. Because here was a true 21st-century silversmith who feared neither rack nor wheel. Here was a man who showed more courage than even those with many, many years of hard military training.
Everyone laughed with relief. Because here was a true 21st-century silversmith who feared neither rack nor wheel. Here was a man who showed more courage than even those with many, many years of hard military training.
In the glow of admiring looks, the silversmith lit his ciggie, leaned back comfortably in his chair and noticed how the gathering turned into a party. How speeches turned into chat, formal titles into toasts, and polite nods into friendly pats on the back.
The mood was lit, and the party could begin.
/Martin
– Thank goodness it’s almost Monday!
– Thank goodness it’s almost Monday!
