SATIRE | “He has started early today, chief,” says the man in uniform to his boss. “He placed an order for American breakfast and now wants a full English breakfast spread.”

The unwanted intrusion to the chief’s tete-a-tete with this writer bothered him. “It always comes from those in executive class. They make demands – which on some occasions cannot be met. Last week someone demanded lobster thermidor for dinner and sparkling mineral water to wash it down. We had to order from a five-star hotel.”

Another, a former high-flying banker wanted only quinoa to be served for his meals. That’s his substitute for rice and it costs six times as much as beras panjang Siam...