Good morning, and bom dia from a sunny and balmy Lisbon, where the resident parrots have returned for their habitual early morning coffee visits, the banana trees flanking either end of the terrace are looking just a bit worse for wear, and preparations are swiftly underway for a little upcoming jaunt across the Atlantic to São Paulo.
For those who may have missed last week’s column, it was firmly autumn quiz time. First and foremost, a sincere note of appreciation is due to all the enthusiastic participants who dutifully observed the strict Monday deadline. Looking back at the entries, it comes as a delightful surprise just how many clever, sharp-witted readers from Greece tuned into the newsletter and performed admirably across the board. While remarkably, no single participant managed to nail all 10 questions perfectly, a select few came wonderfully close, and a couple of others unquestionably deserve high marks simply for being so wonderfully witty in their responses. What follows is a comprehensive recap of that very quiz, featuring the winning answers thoughtfully placed beneath each corresponding prompt.
The opening challenge threw readers straight into the universally recognizable chaos of dining out in North America. The scenario asked: You are in a restaurant with colleagues in the US, and you are feeling genuinely thirsty and hungry. There are numerous individuals weaving around the dining room who very much look like they work there, and you are performing amateur acrobatics to try and catch someone’s attention. Finally, a staff member in an apron approaches your group, offering up an expression that sits somewhere uncomfortably between a wince and a smile. What is the most annoying thing they could possibly say to you?
The winning answer, submitted by Eläiza from Riga, captured the exact pain point with brutal precision: “I’m not your server,” ideally followed by absolutely no attempt to find whoever actually is.
Moving deeper into the quirks of corporate America, the second question transported participants to the reception desk of a major US technology firm. Picture arriving at the front desk accompanied by a woman who projects a facade entirely composed of smiles and cookies, but who is, in reality, a distant Californian cousin of a hardened, no-nonsense French riot officer. What is the most grating aspect of being “welcomed” at a modern US corporate headquarters?
Maximin from Paris nailed the sentiment with a vivid critique: The airport-security style welcome. It involves presenting identification, posing for a photograph, interacting with a tablet, donning a badge, and signing a non-disclosure agreement—all delivered with a cheerful Californian smile beneath a prominent sign bearing the word “Welcome.” As Maximin aptly observed, the visitor has merely arrived for a routine business meeting, not to defect.
Shifting gears from corporate boardrooms to the unpredictable whims of contemporary fashion, the third question tackled the enduring persistence of a polarizing silhouette. Observers of retail rails will have noticed that barrel-leg trousers continue to be all the rage across various high-street and luxury stores. While this voluminous look is undeniably acceptable for those blessed with exceptionally long pins, it routinely transforms anyone shorter than 165 centimeters, or five feet five inches, into something resembling a circus act. The burning question was just how much longer this stubborn silhouette will endure.
The definitive answer came from Rebecca in Auckland, who predicted that the trend will stubbornly continue until the precise, agonizing moment she finally gives in and purchases a pair herself.
Continuing on the theme of fashion, the timing of Paris Fashion Week inspired the fourth question, which challenged readers to name the next major fashion house poised to redefine the upper echelons of the luxury market.
The sharpest prediction came from Theodoros in Patras, who boldly pointed toward Mathieu Blazy taking the reins at Chanel.
Lexical fatigue formed the basis of the fifth question, which asked participants to identify the most bothersome and overused term in the English language—a linguistic intruder that should have vanished from everyday conversation long ago, yet stubbornly persists. The clue provided was that the term arrives at a distinct angle.
The winning submissions offered a delightful double-tap of corporate buzzword exhaustion. John from Philadelphia quipped that he would simply “lean in on this one and circle back.” Meanwhile, Maximin from Paris offered a weary exasperation: “Lean in.” And now, “lean into.” Can we please just stand upright and get on with it?
Current affairs provided the framework for the sixth question, examining a dramatic real-world incident. Following reports of a Flydubai flight where a rogue and likely radicalised co-pilot was successfully wrestled and restrained mid-air, the quiz asked whether the men who intervened were genuinely random civilian heroes, highly trained professionals, or perhaps literal extras from the television series Fauda.
Lala from Taipei offered a grounded and reassuring assessment: Off-duty pilots, a plumber, a dentist, and plenty of adrenaline. Not quite a scene straight out of Fauda, but certainly a crew that anyone would want on board their next commercial flight.
Expanding on this theme, Dimitrios from Athens drew a parallel to national service structures, noting that much like his home country of Greece, Israel maintains a mandatory military service. Regardless of one’s personal perspective on military institutions, Dimitrios argued that it is undeniable how such programs equip young people with vital, sometimes lifesaving skills, while instilling a deep sense of purpose for themselves and those around them.
The economic and retail landscape inspired the seventh question, which pondered why China, despite its immense purchasing muscle and formidable production prowess, has not yet managed to successfully incubate a truly global luxury brand—or whether it actually has.
Mal from Sydney offered a forward-looking perspective, suggesting that one of the nation’s rising automotive brands is right on the verge of achieving precisely that milestone.
Looking toward the retail expansion plans of the media and lifestyle brand itself, the eighth question asked where Monocle’s next café would be opening, and when.
Noor from London kept it concise with a single city name, while Theodoros from Patras provided the full timeline, forecasting the opening in Toronto before the end of 2026.
Automotive success stories formed the core of the ninth question, which challenged readers to name the European automotive group currently ramping up production to meet overwhelming demand for an unexpected four-wheel success story, with the specific vehicle bridging two distinct brands within the same stable.
Though admitting he is not a close follower of the automotive industry, John from Philadelphia secured points by correctly guessing Stellantis, driven entirely by his wife’s top two vehicular aspirations: the Topolino and the Ami. As John noted, should these micro-cars ever receive roadworthy certification in the United States, his household will be right at the very top of the pre-order list.
Finally, the tenth question looked ahead to the hospitality sector, asking for the identity of the hottest hotel opening slated for the final quarter of the year, complete with a bonus point for correctly naming the designer and pronouncing their surname properly.
Noor from London stepped up to deliver the definitive winning combination: the JNcQUOI House, designed by the celebrated architect Vincent Van Duysen.
In recognition of their efforts, all of the quiz winners will receive a complimentary copy of Sophie Grove’s acclaimed new book, Konfekt: A Guide to Generous Hosting. For those who missed out this time around, the next installment of the quiz will arrive just in time for the Christmas season.
Those wishing to dive further into past musings and dispatches can explore the complete archive of previous columns online. As the packing for South America wraps up and the Lisbon terrace prepares to weather the temporary absence, life in the faster lane continues unabated.
