During the Second World War, there was a joke about Neville Chamberlain, the British prime minister who at the Munich Conference in 1938 gave Hitler almost everything he asked for.
When the conference closed, so the joke goes, Hitler said, "Mr Chamberlain, this is a historic moment. Would you be so kind as to give me your umbrella for a keepsake?"
The smiling Chamberlain immediately froze. "No, no," he said, "I can't do that."
"But, Mr Chamberlain, it would mean so much to me. I request it of you. Please!"
"I'm sorry I can't oblige you," said Chamberlain.
Hitler flew into a rage. "I insist!" he screamed, stamping on the prime minister's foot.
"No," said Chamberlain firmly, "it's impossible. You see, the umbrella is mine."
一九三八年慕尼克會議上，英國首相張伯倫對希特勒的要求，幾乎無不同意。第二次世界大戰期間，有以下一個張伯倫笑話：
慕尼克會議結束時，希特勒說：「張伯倫先生，這是歷史上重要一刻，閣下的雨傘，可不可以惠贈給我，留為紀念？」
張伯倫本來一臉笑容，這時突然變得表情僵硬，連聲說：「不行，不行，這個辦不到。」
「但是，張伯倫先生，這把雨傘，對我來說，意義非常。求求你，送給我吧。」
張伯倫說：「對不起，我不能從命。」
希特勒無名火起，尖叫道：「我一定要！」他憤然頓足，踩在張伯倫腳上。
張伯倫毅然說：「不行，這不行。你得明白，這把雨傘是我自己的。」