Posted by CatherineNY
on 10/10/2009, 16:15:38, in reply to "Re: President Obama to meet the King and Queen of Norway..."
148.168.40.4
At first I hoped he would decline in language such as you suggest, but upon reflection, I think it would have been taken as an insult. So I think he did the best he could with his remarks yesterday. Grace under pressure!
--Previous Message--
: I know how things go in Sweden but isn't it so
: that the winners are being pampered by the
: host countries for a couple of days before
: and after the actual handing out of the
: prize? (I remember an account from a Dutch
: winner some years ago who couldn't believe
: what he was experiencing: he felt treated
: like a king and loved Princess Lilian...).
: I guess Obama will have no time to stay in
: Norway for longer than a couple of hours?
: (I was highly surprised he got it. And
: wasn't surprised he was surprised too...!
: Theoretically: What impact a polite refusal
: would have had? "No, honestly, I cannot
: accept it. I have done too little so far to
: deserve such an honour." Would it be
: understood or seen as an insult?)
:
: