Julie Duhaut-Bedos Profile picture
Consule générale de France à Los Angeles. French Consul general in Los Angeles. Follow @FranceinLA

May 8, 2023, 8 tweets

Since #TheDiplomat was released on @netflix, I have been asked many questions on the differences between the show and the reality of a diplomat's life. Here are a few things that made me react, agree or laugh 👇🧵
#diplomacy #diplomatedemérier

1/7 To my female colleagues: Who gets to chose between 10 different dresses that are lent to you for a cocktail?!

2/7 Last minute ministerial visits happen, but they are usually months in the making, so no diplomat would never, ever forget that a minister arrives in 20 minutes. No way!

3/7 To Protocol geeks: What diplomat is not aware that prior to presenting the letters of credence to the Head of state of the country an Ambassador is appointed to, a copy is given to the Foreign minister?

4/7 Unlike Hal (the Ambassador's husband) our partners/spouses support us. Their flexibility (not to mention their professional sacrifices sometimes) is key to a successful posting abroad.

5/7 True: The Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) is central in the series story and essential to the Ambassador, as DCMs are in real life. Long live the DCMs!

6/7 So true: the tricky transition from a long workday to a social event in the evening (deodorant and hairbrush are your allies).

7/7 Overall: yes, there are many things far away from our daily work, but the series correctly depicts the diplomat as an expert, passionate about his/her job.
Curious to have your thoughts on the show!

Share this Scrolly Tale with your friends.

A Scrolly Tale is a new way to read Twitter threads with a more visually immersive experience.
Discover more beautiful Scrolly Tales like this.

Keep scrolling