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It is thus natural to think that US Ambassador to Thailand Eric G John would be as serious as any of his peers.

He is when it comes to his diplomatic responsibilities, but he also includes humour in his work.

Last week, Ambassador John presided over a ceremony to award certificates to five Thai firms that have helped promote US products and services in the Thai community. Other importers were guests to witness the US's gratitude for their efforts in promoting US goods.

For the serious part, the ambassador thanked them all, saying that they were an important part in strengthening trade ties between the two countries and nothing can bind the two countries better than trade. He was right. Bilateral trade now amounts to US$30 billion (Bt1 trillion).

The presentation ceremony followed a luncheon where participants had a taste of American spare ribs and corn bread. Surprisingly, each guest was allotted a menu, though usually two at most are provided for a table

At the close, the ambassador showed his sense of humour. He suspected that some importers might envy the certificate winners. So he urged everyone to take home the menus and consider them as certificates.

Only when he flipped to the back of the menu did the importers see the other side, showing an art piece from the US Library of Congress Archives. At the top were several national flags. And the ambassador quipped that he had made sure that Thailand's flag was among those on top.

Certainly, he pleased everyone with the food and his sense of humour. And no one dared to leave the menu on the table to hurt his feelings.

 

An old-fashioned hero

 

For Hollywood movie fans, Americans can be anything.

They can be as crooked as Michael Douglas in "Wall Street", lobbyists concerned with nothing but financial gain in mind like Jodie Foster in "The Inside Man", and women tormented by their husbands and communities like Charlize Theron in "North Country".

But from those movies, have you learned of anyone as decent as Jeffrey Hardin, a man who never forgot to repay a borrowed item despite a 34-year time lapse?

Associated Press reported from Ohio that Hardin borrowed oil from a couple in 1974 when he was just 17, and he just returned it 34 years later.

Some people can totally forget about borrowing something - just a day later!