Being a product of that European efficiency with its "blocky concrete decorating scheme", I can say that it did wonders for motivating field agents to process paperwork with expediency. Mostly in order to spend as little time as possible in the office.

As for Eurovision contests, nothing will top the 1988 contest in Dublin. I do not know what was more difficult, carrying off a covert defection to the west in the midst of the contest, or putting up with Céline Dion chirping that horrid pop trash and actually winning.