Red faces at consumer affair

Date: 08/02/1996

There is nothing like a little champagne and nibbles to break the ice with a new boss.

Thus it was that Spyros Pappas, the new director-general of DGXXIII, laid on a spread for his civil servants, secretaries and stagiaires last week, with Consumer Affairs Commissioner Emma Bonino as guest of honour.

Things were going quite well and everyone was tucking in to a hearty buffet when Pappas cleared his throat, called for silence and delivered a brief speech. Then he proudly announced the presentation of a large selection of Greek delicacies to Bonino.

He strode towards the buffet table, where a plate full of traditional specialities had been placed at the start of the bash. Alas, Pappas should have marked on it “keep off the scoff”, because as the crowd parted, he suddenly realised that only the plate was left.

After a brief embarrassed silence, Bonino, a game soul who has suffered worse setbacks, restored the party mood by congratulating Pappas on employing such dedicated 'consumers'.