Successful diplomats never burn their bridges. Why? Because the diplomatic circle is so small that you never know who you will run into, or whose assistance you will need in order for the survival of your country. No matter if it kills you, the diplomat will always put on a pleasant face and try to salvage the situation. Table-thumping and walking out of rooms is only in Hollywood movies; never in real-life.

If Rule #1 of being a diplomat is to network, then intrinsically related to networking is ‘getting along’ or ‘being pleasant’. This does not necessarily mean being accommodating or being a door mat. There are ways of saying no politely that the young diplomat learns as he or she goes through life.

These are chapeaux that I will be putting up before delving deeper into each subject – how to network, how to negotiate, observing customs etc.