Third Person Note

Inside the very serious business of international diplomacy. @diplomatress

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That's it from me. May your postings be plentiful, and your demarches few. Farewell, The Diplomatress

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What it feels like when I leave a posting.

[foreignserviceproblems]

When HR sends out a cable that says they have a lot fewer jobs at a grade than bidders, even though they've seen the surge coming for five years

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When a work crush returns from a posting... with a wedding ring.

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When I see an Ambassador using their official twitter account to complain about personal indignities (long check-in queue...poor service in a restaurant...).

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When my work-husband/wife has to leave post to return to capital.

[foreignserviceproblems]

When you finally get in to the Foreign Service and see what it's really like

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Whenever someone drafts me as an impromptu interpreter.

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When I reach super-platinum-skygod status on Star Alliance, Skyteam and One World, at the same time.

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When it all kicks off in my area, and suddenly everyone's an expert in how to do my job.

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When a colleague gets a new pet they can't take home with them.

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When it all kicks off in my area of responsibility.

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Before a language exam.

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When everyone else is on summer holiday and I am left holding the fort.

[foreignserviceproblems]

When you get an especially juicy piece of info in a meeting with a contact and hurry back to put it in a cable

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When I am inexplicably seated next to a Minister at an event and try to make polite conversation.

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"Oh you're a diplomat? ... What's the capital of Uzbekistan, eh?"