At a dinner for common-wealth heads of state some years ago, the chief of the protocol saw a guest pocket a gold salt – cellar. He asked Churchill what he should do.

“Leave it to me,” said Sir Winston and pocketed a gold Pepper – Shaker. He then turned to the guilty party and whispered. “Oh dear, the chief of protocol saw. We’d better put them both back .” Saying thus, he placed the Pepper Shaker on the table. The guest also immediately put back the salt cellar.