Many years ago whilst working in the Arabian Gulf in the mid 1980s I dropped a real faux pas at a weekly project meeting which I was chairing, as the assistant GM of the company. I said whilst wrapping up the meeting "In these weekly meetings there are now too many chiefs and not enough Indians" .

Now I must explain that the company I worked was a very successful professional IT company (wasn't called an IT company in the day) which consisted of about 75% mostly very professional Indian nationals. The GM was a fact an Indian national. Around the table were approximately 15 people. The project meetings had in fact initially been made up started off 8 members directly involved in three particular projects. Over time the core involved members positions at the meetings had been usurped by their managers and supervisors, not directly involved in the projects. Hence my faux pas.

Imagine the reaction of the members, including the GM who was present, around the table including the laughs of mirth from two Brits other who were present. As you said in you blog think carefully before putting you foot in it!!

AfricanPete