60 Second Symposium

By Val Castronovo, Matthew Cooper, Daren Fonda, Ellin Martens, Ben Nugent, Desa Philadelphia, Julie Rawe and Josh Tyrangiel

PIE SHIED Last week Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman ducked a pie hurled courtesy of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. He immediately quipped, "That was not a very balanced meal." Not bad, but what's the best way to respond to such an encounter?

SOUPY SALES, comedian: You just go with it. The whole thing is attitude, but if you can close your eyes right before it hits you, that's good. I've taken over 20,000 pies; I used to look like Cary Grant. Different groups around the country have asked me to hit people with a pie and I say no. I'll get sued.

PETER POST, co-author, The Etiquette Advantage in Business: You can't let the pie thrower gain anything from the event. Ranting and raving and expressing great indignation, in nice or foul terms, would only get more publicity for the pie thrower. So either keep silent, or say something like "Damn! This is good pie!"

CAROL BURNETT, actor, comedian: The way to take a pie in the face with style is to immediately grab the person and kiss them all over their face so they get it too. You're saying, "Thank you. I understand your point of view, and here is mine: Kiss your enemies."