The Yillian Way

The Yillian Way is a science fiction short story by American author Keith Laumer.

Here is a story starring the always unconventional Terrestrial Diplomat, Retief.

The ceremonious protocol of the Yills was impressive, colorful--and, in the long run, deadly!

Disagreement over protocol results in very interesting negotiations between representatives from Earth and Yill.

Junior Terran diplomat Jame Retief visits a government whose members seem determined to insult their delegation. This'll take some sharp thinking...

Keith Laumer (who spent time as a diplomat himself) is best known for his Retief and Bolo series. He combined humor with a sharp, even acrid view of humans as political creatures.

The Yillian Way was first published in Worlds of If, January 1962.