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17 June 2011

How not to interview the Dalai Lama

Have you heard the one about the journalist who died on his backside when interviewing the Dalai Lam

By Duncan Robinson

Australians are not renowned for their airs and graces. Accordingly, they sometimes struggle when meeting people to whom airs and graces are the norm. Take the “Lizard of Oz” scandal, or the fact that former prime minister John Howard had to issue a denial, stating that he did not give the Queen a bit of a loving squeeze. (Only Michelle Obama can touch our Liz.)

In the clip below, an Aussie reporter tries to break the ice by cracking a joke. “The Dalai Lama walks into a pizza shop and says: ‘Can you make me one with everything'”. The Dalai Lama’s face is a mixture of confusion and mild amusement. The reporter grins awkwardly, repeats the joke, cringes, then admits: “I knew that wouldn’t work.”

In the end, the Dalai Lama takes it well. He takes everything well. He’s the Dalai Lama.

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