Surviving Life at Court, Friday, 6/01
As the students filed in today, Tyrion handed every second one a small bag of cookies, muttering not to eat any just yet as he did. Once everyone seemed to be as settled as they were likely to be, he began to speak.
"Typically, if you're at court and you don't have the misfortune of living there, it's because you want something," he began. "And if you do live there, typically everyone who talks to you wants something. It's just sorting out what the somethings are and whether they should have them that can cause headaches."
He paused there, looked over the class. "I simplified things, with the sweets. Half of you have them, and, presumably the other half want them. If you don't have cookies, your task today is to get some out of someone; if you do, your job is to decide whether the person asking you for them is worthy of the boon." His tone was just a bit dry on the last phrase.
"For those in need, one thing to consider," he added, "is who you are asking. In some cultures and with some people, a direct request is almost unthinkably rude. In other situations, being indirect can be seen as weakness or sneakiness. Knowing who you are dealing with can make the difference. If you don't know, talk to them for long enough and you'll figure it out."
"For those who already have cookies, it's perfectly acceptable to ask whoever's talking to you what they can do in return, whether it's gold or a particular favor or their youngest child's hand in marriage -- though the last thing may be a bit excessive for class."
"The give and take of all of this is called diplomacy. If you grab the cookies and run, that's called warfare and it s not what we are talking about today."
He pulled a cookie out of a bag he had held back, prepared to eat it. "And now, begin."
"Typically, if you're at court and you don't have the misfortune of living there, it's because you want something," he began. "And if you do live there, typically everyone who talks to you wants something. It's just sorting out what the somethings are and whether they should have them that can cause headaches."
He paused there, looked over the class. "I simplified things, with the sweets. Half of you have them, and, presumably the other half want them. If you don't have cookies, your task today is to get some out of someone; if you do, your job is to decide whether the person asking you for them is worthy of the boon." His tone was just a bit dry on the last phrase.
"For those in need, one thing to consider," he added, "is who you are asking. In some cultures and with some people, a direct request is almost unthinkably rude. In other situations, being indirect can be seen as weakness or sneakiness. Knowing who you are dealing with can make the difference. If you don't know, talk to them for long enough and you'll figure it out."
"For those who already have cookies, it's perfectly acceptable to ask whoever's talking to you what they can do in return, whether it's gold or a particular favor or their youngest child's hand in marriage -- though the last thing may be a bit excessive for class."
"The give and take of all of this is called diplomacy. If you grab the cookies and run, that's called warfare and it s not what we are talking about today."
He pulled a cookie out of a bag he had held back, prepared to eat it. "And now, begin."