Political Love – Harry Truman and Richard Nixon

During one official dinner at the White House, at the time when Harry Truman (1884-1972) was the President of the United States, it was decided that someone has to hold a toast. And not only that – the one that toasts, has to speak of love.

The young politician named Richard Nixon (1913-1994), who later became the President of United States, stood up.

At the cocktail before that dinner, Nixon desperately tried and failed to persuade Truman to have a drink with him. Therefore, the offended Nixon raised a glass and said:

"When Harry Truman will accept a drink from the hand of Richard Nixon without having someone else taste it first - that's love!"

Harry Truman settled the score later by saying:

“Richard Nixon is a no good, lying bastard. He can lie out of both sides of his mouth at the same time, and if he ever caught himself telling the truth, he'd lie just to keep his hand in.”

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Absentmindedness – Sir Isaac Newton

One day, a friend of the English scientist Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) arrived at the agreed time for dinner.  He was invited the previous day by Newton himself. He found the scientist engrossed into his work, so he sat down and - waited.

Of course, Newton paid no attention to his friend. 

Time passed.

Finally, the servant brought dinner on a tray only for Newton because the host did not inform him that he would be having guests. Once again, Newton paid no attention to what was happening around him.

Mad because he was sitting neglected and silent, the guest took Newton’s dinner and ate it...

Soon after, Newton completed what he was doing. He looked with astonishment at his friend, who he previously did not even noticed, and then at empty tray:

- If I didn’t have you as my witness, I could have swear that I haven’t eaten my dinner! - absently uttered the famous mathematician.

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Bird brain – Ethel Smyth

When Mrs. Ethel Smyth (1858-1944), composer and famous English feminist, was invited to dinner by writer Virginia Woolf and her husband, she decided to come to their home – on a bicycle.

Since she was supposed to travel about 30 kilometers on a bike, to reach the house of Leonard Wolf, she decided to wear a tweed suit, which was not very “elegant”.

Near the house of her hosts, it occurred to her that she is maybe inappropriately dressed, because Woolfs have invited and other distinguished guests. Ethel Smyth was almost convinced that she was supposed to wear a dress and a corset.


She entered into a local rural store and asked if maybe they have corsets. Unfortunately, they didn’t.

Then, in the corner of the store, she saw a birdcage...

Half an hour later, Virginia Woolf noticed that something unusual was happening in her backyard. When she came out, she was astonished with what she saw.

Ethel Smyth was trying to get into a birdcage, instead of a corset, to reduce her waist a little bit.

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Always respect your host – Sergei Rachmaninoff and Arthur Rubinstein

On one occasion, famous pianist Arthur Rubinstein (1887-1982), hosted a dinner in honor of his esteemed colleague and composer Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943).

As it was expected, everyone was talking about music.

During dinner, Russian composer pointed out that, in his opinion, Grieg’s Piano Concerto is the most beautiful piano concerto ever written.

 

- How fortunate! - Arthur Rubinstein added happily - I just made a record of me playing Grieg Piano Concerto!

Sergei Rachmaninoff received this news with enthusiasm. He asked from his host to play him that record. After that, with closed eyes, he listened with great care Rubinstein‘s interpretation of Grieg’s music. At some point, Rachmaninoff suddenly opened his eyes, as if he woke up, and exclaimed:

- Rubinstein, you must have played it on a broken piano.

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My Name Is Otto – Otto von Bismarck

German chancellor Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898) was known as restrained man who was strict when it comes to rules of conduct.  Because of that, it was hard for someone to conclude friendship with him.

Once, the Chancellor hosted a formal dinner. Next to him at the table sat a certain American woman, loud and direct and, in Bismarck's view, almost uncivil.

At the beginning of dinner, when an appetizer was served, an American addressed Chancellor according to rules of conduct. She addressed him with "Your Highness". But as soon as they brought the main course, this lady addressed him with "Dear Chancellor". When they brought the cake, this friendly woman already talked to the chancellor like with an old friend, nudging him and saying, "My dear sir."

Finally, the German chancellor stood up, bowed and said to an American woman:

"Before you continue chatting, I want to say just one thing. My name is Otto”

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Prodigy – Julian Hawthorne

Unlike his father, American writer Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864), Julian Hawthorne (1846-1934) loved to appear in public. Every time when somebody heard his famous family name, he would think that Julian was the older Hawthorne, the well-known writer.

That was the case and during one dinner party when a fan of his father approached Julian Hawthorne and enthusiastically said to him:

- Oh, dear Mr. Hawthorne, I read your "Scarlet Letter" and there is just one thing I could say: that is a masterpiece!

- You think? - Julian wittily replied. - Dear Madam, that book was published when I was only four years old.

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Instant Dinner – Maria and Aldous Huxley

Maria Huxley, wife of British writer Aldous Huxley (1894-1963), was obsessed with cooking, or more precisely - with calories and healthy food. She waged each gram of food that she prepared for her husband.

Huxley once invited friends over for dinner. Both, guests and the hosts,were surprised when they saw what Maria served them for dinner: a few grains of boiled, cold beans with the same number of rings of sliced bananas. And that was it.

Aldous then diplomatically suggested that it might be better if they went out together for dinner... That very moment Maria looked angrily at her husband with striking lightning in her blue eyes.

He dutifully sat at a table. Dinner was eaten in no time.

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Diet for Attracting Attention - George Gordon Byron

On one occasion, the famous English poet George Gordon Byron (1788-1824) was invited to dinner by acquaintances who he never visited before. A large and distinguished group of writers was gathered at this dinner. When asked by the host if he would like to start dinner with a good soup, Byron said loudly for all to hear:

- I never eat soup!
- Do you like fish?
- No, I never eat fish!
- Perhaps you will enjoy roast pork?
- No, I never eat roast pork!
- A glass of wine, at least?
- Never in my life have I tasted wine! - The poet thundered.

Not knowing what to do, the host asked the poet what he usually eats for dinner.
- Only biscuit and water! - Replied the poet.

Unfortunately, they didn’t have a biscuit, so he drank water in which he poured a little vinegar. He then angrily left.

Concerned hosts met Byron's close friend a few days later and asked him: 
- Why didn’t you warned me of Lord Byron’s eating habits? And since when he is on a such strict diet?

- Since you have started to notice! His behavior was aimed primarily to attract the attention of those present. You should know this:  after dinner, he went straight to a nearby tavern where he ate roast pork and got drank from wine.

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