[steve19]

Nobody know's what is not declared. The Pentagon had a problem with defense contractors getting around the rules by instead holding elaborate dinner parties. They since cracked down on it. The rules still allow some scope for these kind of gifts. [0]

In the private sector it is not unheard of for a salesperson to drop 5 figures on champagne. If salesman from firm A is willing to give an exec or buyer a night to remember once or twice a year, with booze costing one or two weeks salary before tax, and the salesperson from firm B simply sends a "happy holidays" card once a year, it can easily sway that exec even if they believe they are unbiased.

[0] https://dodsoco.ogc.osd.mil/Portals/102/gifts.pdf

[taurath]

"This extremely cheap knockoff of a 17th century highly valuable ceramic pot is only valued at $45, which happens to come in $5 under the allotment for bribery in your company policy"

[exdsq]

Reminds me of this sketch

https://youtu.be/bbTfR64PArU

[maxwelldone]

Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister are brilliant shows.

[taurath]

Exactly the one I was thinking of :)