Totally meaningless scene with the courtesan

I thought the early scene of Colonel Hessler brushing off the hot blonde courtesan was a total waste of time. Sure I understand the director was going for character development. He wanted to show us that Col. Hessler was a consummate military tactician and professional, not one to be diverted by pleasures of the flesh. But the ensuing movie demonstrated that and didn't need the unnecessary high class hooker to show us. Hessler proves to be one tough, mean, and ruthless sob. But he still has some scruples and integrity. He is not corrupt in any way and more, he is appalled by the massacre of American POWs, not just for its morals but he understands battlefield psychology and how the Americans could quickly regain their fighting spirit because of it.