The day is gorgeous. It is mid-afternoon, and central Zagreb is crammed. All the outdoor cafés are full. We are sitting on the terrace of the Bulldog Pub when the president of Croatia, Ivo Josipović, his daughter, and a personal guard of his take a table right across the isle from ours. Without a tie, he looks good. He looks relaxed in the crowd. Both of us are impressed. Deeply impressed, as a matter of fact. Having finished our drinks, we get up, and I feel an urge to congratulate him on his demeanor with a gentle bow, but I resist the urge with all my might. Thus this note. By way of sincere thanks, of course.

Addendum (March 19, 2016)

The day is gorgeous once again, and central Zagreb is packed. All the outdoor cafés are full, too. On my walk around the city, I notice a familiar face in one of the cafés. It does not take me long to realize that this is Kolinda Grabar Kitarović, the president of Croatia. Ivo Josipović lost the last elections to her. She is sitting with several people, one of whom must be her personal guard. One more time, I am deeply impressed. For all its faults, Croatia is safe enough for public displays of this ilk. Presidents regularly mingle with all and sundry without pomp or fanfare. This time around, though, I do not feel an urge to congratulate the new president with a gentle bow. I am familiar enough with the Croatian capital by now. Besides, my thanks would be far from sincere enough.