That’s a lovely story, Rod, but I have to tell you, when some kid just out of college calls me “sir,” I immediately think of Eddie Haskell and wonder what his angle is. The line between respectfulness and obsequious conmanship is a little vague. This is not entirely fair — there are a few exquisitely well-behaved youngsters who don’t deserve such suspicion — but I’ve interviewed enough entry-level people in my time to know when I’m being handed a line. (By the way, this doesn’t extend to being called “Mr. Podhoretz,” which is not only entirely appropriate but almost required of a younger new acquaintance.)