"A diplomat these days in nothing, but a head waiter who is allowed to sit down occasionally"

This quote by Peter Ustinov is a criticism of the function of diplomats in modern society. He recommends that diplomats are no longer appreciated or prominent figures, but rather are minimized to a function comparable to that of a head waiter. Ustinov implies that the only difference in between a diplomat and a head waiter is that a diplomat is occasionally permitted to sit down. This suggests that diplomats are not given the very same level of regard or authority as they as soon as were, and that their function is mainly ceremonial.

Ustinov's quote is a reflection of the altering role of diplomacy in the modern-day world. In the past, diplomats were viewed as powerful figures who could affect worldwide relations and form the course of history. Nevertheless, in the modern-day world, diplomacy is often viewed as a procedure, with little genuine power or impact. Ustinov's quote is a tip that diplomats need to be appreciated and offered the authority they should have, instead of being decreased to a simple token.