Fists start flying? That seems to me a very old fashioned view and more akin to the army or navy I would have thought.
Old-fashioned indeed, and certainly not in my Navy, thank you!
Can't answer for the pongoes...
However, senior officers putting in a brief visit (if they were invited) was all that was expected of them at the retirement parties I ever went to, including my own.
Where's Hangarshuffle when you want him? He has previously expressed strong views on this....
Jack