Up at the Stormont talks, Sinn Fein politicians are reportedly on a charm offensive. They smile sweetly at all and sundry, display perfect manners and even open doors for their most trenchant political opponents.
Ulster Unionists have traditionally been less adventurous than republicans but they did their best at their annual conference in Newcastle, Co Down, at the weekend. There was a new questions-andanswers session with figures outside the party, including journalists, invited to take part.
There were touching attempts to bribe the media - bowls of sweets sat on the press tables. Even the conference venue raised suspicions of a New Unionism - delegates gathered at the plush Slieve Donard hotel in Newcastle, Co Down, the SDLP's favourite spot.
But there were no signs that the party line had moderated. "There is still fire in our bellies and we are still fighting for the Union," a speaker insisted to loud applause. There were ringing denunciations of the usual suspects: Sinn Fein, the SDLP, Dublin and the North's Fair Employment Agency.
But the campaign by the DUP and the UK Unionist party against the Stormont talks ensured that other names joined the UUP hitlist. Referring to the snazzy new look of the DUP deputy leader, Peter Robinson, the Rev Martin Smyth sniped: "The new hairstyle and glasses may have changed his appearance but they have not improved his vision."
Even David Trimble wasn't above delivering the odd jibe. Responding to Bob McCartney's request for speaking rights at the conference, Mr Trimble remarked that the UUP was now so popular that the leaders of other parties wanted to join in. He advised Mr McCartney to address his request to the North Down UUP constituency association - along with a fee and an apology.
The North's security minister, Adam Ingram, was invited to address a fringe meeting but the spirit of goodwill didn't extend to his boss, Mo Mowlam. The Northern Secretary, said a delegate, "blundered from one residents' group to another" and was "more akin to a baby elephant in Belfast zoo than a Privy councillor".
Only by strong, swift action would she salvage her reputation among unionists, he warned: "The recent cull of our beef herds is nothing compared to the slaughter of the sacred cows of Irish nationalism which she must demand and deliver quickly."
The message might have been as hardline as ever, but the UUP attempted a more professional delivery. A leaflet, "Practical Hints for Speakers", advised delegates to stick to their subject, vary pace and tone, speak slowly to highlight points and, most importantly it added, "there is no need to use excessive vocal emphasis".
The new softly-softly approach was evident in The Unionist magazine. The old images were gone. Instead, there were pictures of sleeping babies - "let's keep the peace for their tomorrow"; snowdrops - "we can see a new and better future blossom", and a kitten licking a puppy - "reconciliation is possible".
Once cynical delegate said the last photo had first appeared in Cats Weekly. He was unimpressed with the magazine: "It bears no resemblance to reality. It's like something from North Korea. There is no starvation in North Korea. There is no bitterness or sectarianism in Northern Ireland."