More than a skinful

The chairman discourages attempting to decipher the different language of 'commercial types'

"Bitter?" asked the chairman of the insignificantly-sized investment group SmallBluePlanet as we again found ourselves together after an industry awards bash without a paperweight between us. "Like Thierry Henry with a loser's medal," I nodded. "No," said the chairman. "I mean, what would you like to drink - bitter or lager or what? They do a lovely drop of Can of Worms here. Or perhaps something a little stronger?" "Cyanide," I said. "Not for me, of course, but for Whatsisname and Thingummy. And don't tell me we did well just to be shortlisted. If second place is what they call the first ...