Propa Embarrassing

I was hosting a farewell dinner for 25 visiting Russian businessmen at our large country mansion - a regular monthly event. A time for food, cultural exchange, speeches and my jokes, which somehow crossed the cultural divide.

I'd invited a colleague, Rod, to attend. He sat on the other side of a charming visitor who spoke immaculate English.

"Where in Russia do you live?" Rod asked the man.

"Irkutsk." he replied.

"And where exactly is that?" Rod enquired.

"Siberia."

"Siberia?..... and you choose to live there?

I immediately interrupted. "Our propaganda says that Siberia is a punishment!"

Phew! International incident averted!