Saying “these matters are of no interest to women, anyhow,” four Luxembourg City men have excused themselves to go into the parlor like 19th century gentlemen and “discuss war and politics and such.”
The retreat into the parlor occurred on Saturday following dinner at a housewarming party that was also attended by five women.
“Why, I do say the Ukrainians are giving the Russians more than they bargained for,” said Frank, aged 32, settling into a leather sofa and putting on a monocle.
“I wonder very greatly if the Western alliance will eventually join the Ukrainians,” said Haseem, 34, pulling on his waxed mustache.
“Gentlemen, I beg your pardon, but I must assert that you are missing the bigger picture, “ said Stephane, 31, who poured everyone a snifter of brandy. “The elephant in the room, or panda, might I suggest, is China.”
“I’ve scrolled a number of headlines that, if my memory serves me well, suggest that the panda may very well be rethinking its proximity to the bear,” said Rupert, 29, languidly reclining.
“My dear sir, based on the memes I’ve seen, I daresay China and Russia view each other as the key to dethroning the United States as the global hegemon,” Frank said.
After several more minutes of broad and largely speculative commentary, the men congratulated themselves on their knowledge and keen insight, said “tut-tut, my good sir” a few times, and then traded compliments about each other’s argyle socks.
According to reports, the women also spoke about the war, yet more precisely and without the pretense of knowing everything simply because they had spent two weeks researching the matter online.
