Brussels Fiddles; Europe Burns

Untroubled by the crack-up to come, Euro-crats outlawed Anglo-Saxon "reckless competition"--at their health club:

Ever the masters of punctilious regulation, the European Union's 25 Commissioner have outdone themselves with a code of conduct for their new and beautifully-appointed Brussels sauna.

A 10-point code sent to Peter Mandelson and his colleagues advises them on etiquette in the mixed facility, which opened last week. Nudity is de rigueur, according to the commission's infrastructure office, but bravado is not.

"Reckless competition about who stands heat best is out of the question. Leave your clothes in the dressing room - nakedness is natural," the code tells its 18 male and seven female commissioners. "Sweating makes swimsuits uncomfortable." The list of dos and don'ts is comprehensive. Commissioners in the sauna, installed in the EU's recently renovated Berlaymont headquarters in Brussels, are advised to take their time, allowing "at least an hour and a half" for each session.

Showers are required beforehand "to moisten the skin and remove any possible body or fragrant odours" and they are reminded to dry themselves with a towel afterwards.

NRO's Warren Bell approves:

On behalf of Americans here at home and abroad, please allow me to thank the Brussels Commission for requiring EU officials to shower before using their private sauna.

(via NRO's Andrew Stuttaford)