Davos is unique for putting masters of the universe cheek-by-jowl with hoi polloi. This produces some unexpected exchanges and some world-class toadying. Khalid al-Falih, the Saudi energy minister, was in a throng of people when somebody caught his attention: “Your excellency!” The minister gave the cautious response of one unsure who he was talking to: “How are you?” “I’m delighted, like every time I see you,” came the response.
Revolutionary road
It’s a topsy-turvy world. President Xi of China, who has a degree in Marxist philosophy, gave a speech espousing globalisation and free trade. Meanwhile, some residents of this exclusive Swiss resort hung a red and black banner from a balcony off the main promenade reading “Wipe Out Davos” and another “Some people are so poor all they have is money”. An anarcho-syndicalist chalet, presumably.
Gold standard
At the British Airways check-in desk at Heathrow, the queue for gold card-holders was much longer than economy. It turns out that the global elite, unaccustomed as they are to waiting, are as pushy as the rest of us. “I’ve seen better behaviour on a package holiday to the Canary Islands,” my mole said.
One for the road
Those delegates with ample budgets are happy to pay a fortune to stay in the Davos resort. The rest of the delegates, including your humble correspondents, lie further down the hill at Klosters. A motor accident on the snow-dusted alpine road transformed the 20-minute shuttle bus journey into a three-hour odyssey for the poor relations.
Career opportunities
Prince Andrew, as Britain’s trade envoy, was a fixture on the Davos scene with an annual drinks reception. He now appears to have passed the baton on to the next generation. Princess Beatrice was spotted at a dinner on Monday. The 28-year-old, who has come under fire from the tabloid press for being a touch under-employed, is reported to be interested in forging a career as a consultant.