---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: and when Mrs Thatcher came to the college…"
description: "\"“and when Mrs Thatcher came to the college for a scientific symposium Tyson was deputed to take her round the Common Room. This is hung with portraits ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae8/alan-bennett-1922_prime-minister_and-when-mrs-thatcher-came-to-the-colleg_1609759.jpg"
---

#  and when Mrs Thatcher came to the college for a scientific…

![“and when Mrs Thatcher came to the college for a scientific symposium Tyson was deputed to take her round the Common Room. This is hung with portraits and photographs of dead fellows, including one of the economist G. D. H. Cole. Tyson planned to take Mrs Thatcher up to it saying, ‘And this, Prime…” quote by Alan Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae8/alan-bennett-1922_prime-minister_and-when-mrs-thatcher-came-to-the-colleg_1609759.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae8/alan-bennett-1922_prime-minister_and-when-mrs-thatcher-came-to-the-colleg_1609759.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae8/alan-bennett-1922_prime-minister_and-when-mrs-thatcher-came-to-the-colleg_1609759.jpg)

> ““and when Mrs Thatcher came to the college for a scientific symposium Tyson was deputed to take her round the Common Room. This is hung with portraits and photographs of dead fellows, including one of the economist G. D. H. Cole. Tyson planned to take Mrs Thatcher up to it saying, ‘And this, Prime Minister, is a former fellow, G. D. H. Dole.’ Whereupon, with luck, Mrs Thatcher would have had to say, ‘Cole not Dole.’ In the event he did take her round but lost his nerve.””

[Alan Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bennett/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A nervous host tries to impress a distinguished guest but fumbles due to anxiety and overthinking.

**In simple terms:** A nervous host makes a mistake when trying to impress.

Key Takeaway

Stay calm and focus on the guest, not the details.

Themes

anxiety social interaction impression management humor

Mood

nervous lighthearted ironic

Type

anecdotal humorous social.

When to use this quote

- academic tours
- formal receptions
- public speaking
- meeting dignitaries

Key Concepts

politics historical figures communication

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you prepare for high‑stakes introductions?
- What strategies keep you grounded under pressure?

A Different Perspective

Overthinking can cause simple errors and undermine confidence.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Mrs thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mrs-thatcher/) [Prime minister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prime-minister/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/)

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