Life — July 12, 1917 — page 31: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon critiques American diplomatic practices through six scenes depicting informal, casual approaches to international relations. The central image shows a man in shirtsleeves (literally rolled-up sleeves, suggesting casual or rough handling) conducting diplomacy while reading documents. The surrounding vignettes mock different diplomatic scenarios: "A Foreign Ambassador" (formal greeting gone wrong), "A State Dinner" (chaotic meal), "A Charge d'Affaires" (man working at desk amid plumbing), and "A Formal Reception" (awkward social interaction). The title suggests that American "shirt-sleeve diplomacy"—informal, direct negotiation style—is being satirized as crude or undignified compared to traditional formal diplomatic protocol. The cartoon implies American diplomatic methods are inappropriately casual for serious international affairs, treating weighty negotiations with insufficient formality or respect.