Richard Holbrooke: I’m a Flirt

Not really, but what in the world would convince a diplomat with nearly 50 years’ worth of experience that he should remark on the beauty of women he understands to be the daughters of Pashtun tribesmen? (Via Andrew Exum/Via Christian.) BruceR, with whom I’m unfortunately unfamiliar, remarks:

You know, if there is somewhere a list of things you don’t use as conversational openers with Pashtun and other conservative Muslim males, I’m pretty sure “how fetching their daughter is” would be pretty high up there.

One hopes Holbrooke left his R&B mixtapes back in the car.