United Nations ? On his first day as U.N. ambassador, John Bolton showed none of his trademark combativeness as he engaged Tuesday in that diplomatic art done so well at the United Nations: forced chitchat in front of a throng of cameras.

Bolton brushed by a scrum of reporters and photographers without a word upon entering the building for the first time in his new job, only to find himself standing awkwardly before more cameras for his inaugural meeting with Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

His reputation may be for a love for verbal combat, yet Bolton looked mildly flustered as the cameras flashed, apparently unsure what exactly to do with the official letter of appointment he had come to deliver. Annan, his arm in a sling from rotator-cuff surgery, stood with his trademark placidity.

“Mr. Secretary-General, it’s good to see you, good to see you. I hope you’re doing well there.”

“Getting better by the day,” Annan replied.

“Well, that’s good, are you doing therapy for it?”

“I’m going to start next week.”

“Ah hah.”

Silence as the cameras flashed.

“It is good to see you,” Annan resumed.

“It is good to see you again. It is good to see you. I’m glad to be here. So I should give you this I suppose,” Bolton said, handing Annan a large envelope with the letter.

“Thank you very much.”

“Glad to be here.”