David Tang - Financial Times

Jun 14, 2013

Feverish for a taste of Africa

Please don’t make me laugh by implying that the Eiffel Tower is some artistic monument

May 10, 2013

David Tang: Bêtes noires, brown shoes

Why do I seem so anti-French? I like pulling the Frogs’ legs only because many of them take themselves too seriously

Apr 26, 2013

David Tang: Softer side of the Iron Lady

This was a different age, when public and private life were kept distinct. This is important to understanding Lady Thatcher

Apr 5, 2013

ABOUT DAVID

David Tang, the FT's Agony Uncle, answers readers' questions about property, interiors, architecture and gardens although he often strays beyond his remit to debate concerns about everything from etiquette to grammar.

Tang is the entrepreneur who founded China Tang and iCorrect, and he has homes principally in Hong Kong, mainland China, London and Essex .

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Senior Investment Manager
Investments

It is dumb to think complicated gadgets for basic habits could improve on simple manual labours

Books have several advantages over electronic devices, not least the fact you can throw them

Should homes be redesigned to anticipate a changing world? Excellent internet access is key

Self-conscious continentals always look too smart at a shooting breakfast

Please don’t make me laugh by implying that the Eiffel Tower is some artistic monument

Should the shirt collar rest above or below the vest? The only people who qualify to dress with perfection are monarchs

Why do I seem so anti-French? I like pulling the Frogs’ legs only because many of them take themselves too seriously

Have I ever tried Mughlai cuisine? Of course I have, of which the chicken tikka masala is an example

What do I think about stemless wine glasses? They are foul to look at and fouler to drink wine from

This was a different age, when public and private life were kept distinct. This is important to understanding Lady Thatcher

What if the Queen seeks advice on menu planning during her visit to China? I would not advise her to serve shark-fin soup

What should you do after you felt rather hurt by what your host did? You have the choices of revenge or sufferance

How might I design the interiors of a borstal? I would paint the entire place black and white to stress the need for change

How should one respond when a ‘grand fromage’ pays too much attention to his electronic devices? You could text him ‘Cheese!’

Should one take scatter cushions to a friend in prison? If allowed, it should match with the cell’s colour and inmates’ uniforms

Is it proper to wear galoshes? There is nothing wrong with them even though I find anything rubbery unnatural

The shop where I bought pasties contracts them out to a factory? Are you implying that I ate ponies?

What to do when someone claims a vacant seat in a public place? Make sure you don’t end up with a bully if you react

Why are lavatories always in the smallest room in the house? I would definitely make it as large as possible

Have I ever stayed in a bed and breakfast? I have a wide spectrum of experiences of all types of hotels

ABOUT DAVID

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