I prefer to just open up the playing field with the first attack.

[And the set-up for making fun of his last name was right there and he didn't dare raise to the bait... no pun intended. Instead, he smiled serenely at the other man. Simon... probably took considerable pleasure out of teasing him, and he would humor him, but... only when he wanted.]

It's wondering where you learned to flip burgers from. You never made it to the new world, right?