Xpat Interview: Ian Shires

I qualified and worked as a Chemistry Teacher before moving on to the pharmaceutical industry. First as a Representative, then Medical Copywriter, Advertising Manager, Product Manager and later in the International Marketing of malaria medicines.

I travelled and worked extensively in the Tropics, especially Africa. In 1991, after being made redundent, I started my own healthcare advertising business in Hungary called Drummer Design.

Although most of the Hungarian healthcare sector has moved its advertising to the new parent country, Drummer Design continues to work in other sectors such as transport, paper merchanting, the "environment", bio-fuels, stainless steel and others.

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I arrived in Hungary in 1991. Two things brought me here. I was made redundant in the UK , and the usual problem, the woman I loved was here.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
I existed in Holland for 3 years.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
I was surprised how hilly the country was. The famous image of vast plains is not quite correct. Certainly after living in Holland.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend--what must they absolutely see and do?
Get out of Budapest and see the real Hungary. Visit a village kocsma and meet real people.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Nice simple stuff like paprikas krumpli.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Good quality, slightly salted, butter. I’d prefer a nice Cornish butter, but I’ll make do with Danish.

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
I like some place names like “Sàtoraljaujhely” or “Bugyi”. I think I missed an accent somewhere

8. What do you miss the most from home?
A good local pub, real ale, pies, mature cheese, marmalade, Bovril (not Marmite)... do you want me to go on?

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
A Game Warden in Kenya.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
A civil servant in any country.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
We drove to Eastern Turkey in our Land Rover Defender and camped for the night wherever we found ourselves. The further you get from the Turkish tourist spots, the more beautiful the country.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Somewhere similar. Maybe another part of Turkey.

13 What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Most of the Liverpool bands, Dambusters, hiking in the Yorkshire Dales.

14. What can't you resist?
An opportunity to travel to unusual places.

15. Red wine or white?
White.

16. Book or movie?
Book.

17. Morning person or night person?
Night person.

18. Dog person or cat person?
Definitely dog. Preferably a big sloppy Labrador.

19. Buda side or Pest side?
Buda. Give me a hill any day.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Have a go. Life is not a rehearsal.