It is probably just as well there is often a touch of humour on the fringes of the annual Asean ministers' meetings.
Given the inevitable clash between high aims and low expectations resulting in little tangible progress, there is often precious little else to smile about.
Canada's deputy foreign minister, Leonard Edwards, unwittingly provided one of the brighter spots this week when he appeared at the state dinner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' regional security forum in Manila.
As 28 of his regional peers turned up for the official photo in dark suits and ties, Mr Edwards emerged from his limousine at the Malacanang Presidential Palace sporting a shimmering, translucent barong - the pineapple-fibre shirt worn by well-dressed Filipinos on formal occasions.
There is a time and a place for national dress at every Asean gathering, but this apparently was not it. It did wonders for his visibility, however, particularly after he was put in the front row for the photo.
Mr Edwards managed to smile throughout the dinner, which is more than many lower ranking Canadian diplomats were doing the next day.
