Previously, he worked as copywriter and executive in advertising and publishing in the UK, the City of London and several countries of the Middle East. For nine years he also produced an online publication, Eurocritic Magazine, which warned of the economic dangers of the single currency and the progressive loss of freedoms attached to EU membership. His website is at www.copyfit.co.uk.

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I came to Budapest in June 2011 to exchange a London I no longer recognised for a city that seemed integrated, predictable, safe - and beautiful.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Yes, I worked in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Dubai over a few years. I studied basic Arabic and can still write Arabic script.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
How civilised people are here. I mean that Hungarians are generally remarkably polite. I know some people dispute this - especially Hungarians themselves, it seems - but I've found Budapestis far more people-conscious, relaxed and generally friendly than most of the population of London, for example.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
Day 1: Travel on the Number Two tram, walk across the Chain Bridge, take the funicular up to Buda Castle, take a break at Riso, take a photo of Parliament from the Buda side, cross Margit Bridge and visit the Island, find a green square in Pest in the evening where there's booze, food and a band; later perhaps try Janis' Pub, for the crush and noise, and finish off with a cocktail or few at Boutiq'Bar. Day 2: I'd recommend rest.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
I cook my own - meat and veg stew with lots of paprika.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Bacon, eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes.

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Csendes.

8. What do you miss the most from home?
Affordable Arabica coffee.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Politician.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Window cleaner: because I'm not good with heights. Perhaps I could also say: translator. Translators can't exercise much freedom with the language they produce - they need to be literal. An editor, on the other hand, focuses on readability - so my role is to be literate. It is often a mistake to believe that translating texts into English is sufficient, unless they have been finalised by a native English editor.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Morocco.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Croatia.

13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
My favourite band was probably The Yardbirds. (Isn't that an ageist question?)

14. Apart of temptation what can't you resist?
I can't resist pointing out poor English grammar! Apart from that - almás torta.

15. Red wine or white?
Nearly always red.

16. Book or movie?
Book: because it lasts longer than 2 hours.

17. Morning person or night person?
Early evening to early morning.

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Reducing stress in the world seems a noble cause - but I don't have a magic solution.

19. Buda side or Pest side?
I've been a committed Pest person before even moving here. I first came for a 5 day break. I sat outside a cafe near Parliament Square and watched an apartment block as people of all ages went in and out, with dogs, prams and shopping baskets. I asked a waiter if perhaps I could afford to live here. He asked where I came from. I said London. He said, then you can afford to live here! The first flat I rented was a short walk from that cafe - with a view of parliament and the Duna. I've now lived in three flats in Pest. Maybe I'll try Buda one day.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Trust is everything.