Problems with International Time Differences

One of the Russian Ambassadors went to President Putin and told him he'd like to resign.


"Why?" Putin asked him.


"Well, Mr. President, I can't take these time differences! I fly to another city, call home and everyone is asleep, I last woke you up at 4 in the morning, but I thought it was only evening. I call Angela Merkel to congratulate her on her birthday and she tells me she had it yesterday. I wish the Chinese President a happy New Year and he says it will be tomorrow."


"Those are just minor inconveniences." Replies Putin. "Do you remember when that Polish plane crashed, killing their president? I called them to express my condolences, but the plane hadn't taken off yet!"