FROM the increasingly snarky fall-out of the European Union Salzburg summit, appears a denim clad way forward.

New research suggests heavy metal fans communicate at concerts in a way similar to members of remote rainforest tribes.

Crucially, the seeming chaos of the front-of-stage melee that is the heavy metal moshpit, is governed by rules not dissimilar to those of the rituals of remote tribes in Papua New Guinea, stretching back tens of thousands of years.

Moshpit 'etiquette' is passed down to younger participants by older fans, there are gift-sharing rituals, and dancing to dark, cathartic music.

This is not written down, of course. There's no expensive finishing school at which to study the finer points of the 'pit. Rules are largely unspoken too, but researchers conclude they foster an environment of 'controlled chaos', with an understanding that moshing is about tension release, not fighting.

In short, while it appears harsh and brutal, the moshpit is the domain of a "complex, inclusive and global" heavy metal community several generations old.

By contrast, it is likely a goodly number of EU top dogs and government heads have spent time in expensive schools that furnished them with extensive skills of etiquette. A shame then, that they seem to have forgotten or discarded most of them, reverting instead to the sort of language prized by gang leaders and the socially inept.

Theresa May demands "respect" for the UK seemingly blind to the fact that the haughty tone she and those who advise her adopt in relation to Brexit negotiations is guaranteed to raise the hackles.

EU negotiators and leaders meanwhile, fail to rise above the gang mentality of their 27 v one position, the latest example being their Salzburg theatrics over the Chequers Brexit proposals.

It doesn't have to be like this. Maybe it's time to persuade Black Sabbath to tread the boards one last time, and get May, Barnier, Macron and Co in the moshpit to foster a little more goodwill. That has to be more productive than sitting around a conference table.