I spent three days in Turkey last week for a customer visit. I have been very fortunate to be able to enjoy the hospitality of our local agent in Istanbul. Ali and Emre have taken very good care of myself and the team in London have definitely appreciated the authentic Turkish delight. One good thing about this trip is I managed to have a few hours exploring Istanbul unlike my last couple of trips where the only things I saw were the airports!

There was one amazing incident that has amused all of us the while we were walking along the busy shopping precinct. A turkish woman approached me and started talking to me in fluent Mandarin. She said, “Are you Chinese?”, I was startled by her fluency, “Yes, I am.”. She continued, “I’m learning Mandarin. I wonder whether you can help me?”, I replied in my not very fluent Mandarin, “Sure, how can I help you?”. She paused and said, “Do you want me to be with you tonight?”. I paused and asked, “What, can you say that again?”, then I suddenly realised she is a prostitute trying to pull me. I turned to Ali and he was puzzled, I said, “Let’s go!”. Of course, the story ends right there with all of us laughing our way to the restaurant. I guess this is the effect of globalisation!

I enjoyed the stay in Turkey… the food (kebab), the national drink (Raki), the local beer (Efes) and of course the hospitality of the Turkish people.