After establishing the correct consular terminology (so the audience and I are “on the same page”), one main talking point must be what function a foreign consul really performs? The answer isn’t as clear as it may seem at the outset. Although the international treaty provisions give us broad guidance on activities in the commercial, economic, cultural, scientific, and educational areas, one example intriguing my listeners is the case of “Hitler’s Hollywood consul” that leaves us wondering about what constitutes legitimate consular functions (spying? criticizing the arts in the hosting territory?). After all, this official had the approval of the US Government to function as a consul.

The legitimacy of a consul’s work isn’t an isolated peculiarity that’s best left to politicians, because it may become the basis for judicial determination of a consul’s immunity. Since consuls enjoy functional (not diplomatic) immunity for their official acts, the question often coming up in my talks is the matter of consuls and their vehicles: are they immune from prosecution in a car accident? It’s surprising how many times someone in my audience will ask that question. My goal is then to give a non-legalistic answer so my presentation doesn’t resemble a court hearing.