In 2007 he decided Europe was his destiny and he and his three cats grabbed a fight to Paris. After retiring at 48 from sales, he came to Budapest to buy apartments in 19th century buildings and do high quality renovations with an emphasis of energy conservation to battle CO2 emissions.

He has little patience for aspiring dictators such as Orbán Viktor and hopes some day to live in Vienna.

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I thought Budapest would quickly develop into a modern Eastern European city like Prague. However, my expectations have hit the Wall of Reality, namely there is little understanding here of how modern liberal democracies work.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
I lived two years in Paris. I speak French and take a delight in French literature and art.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
Degree of misguided nationalism. Reluctance to embrace modern ways.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
Great Synagogue. The Art Nouveau buidings. Ethnic museum. Try local dishes.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Their duck and goose dishes. Goose with red cabbage and plums is a favorite of mine.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Red onions.

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Macska. I have five now.

8. What do you miss most from home?
Americans and French are friendlier.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Public policy analysis.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Cleaning toilets.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Venice, Athens, Bari.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?
Wien.

13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Reading high brow books. Bartok. Stravinsky. B-52s.

14. What can't you resist?
Great architecture.

15. Red wine or white?
Always red wine. Every day.

16. Book or movie?
I have hundreds of books.

17. Morning person or night person?
Both. I switch between the two.

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Fighting global warming and conserving energy.

19. Buda or Pest side?
Pest, Buda is extremely over rated. Lost most of its great architecture during the Siege of Budapest.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
I believe we choose who we are. We are the sum of our actions.