My Life My Style: James Crabtree

Best work moment
Arriving in Mumbai last year, a dream of mine to work here ever since first visiting five years ago.

Books on your bedside
I have a huge pile; Indianomix by Vivek Dehejia and Rupa Subramanya is at the top at the moment.

Massage or workout to de-stress
A swim in the morning clears my head. Massages get tedious; you can't read at the same time.

Designs that have caught your eye recently
I have designs on more holidays.

Your IT tools
MacBook Pro for writing, iPad with indispensable bluetooth keyboard for note taking, iPod filled with BBC podcasts, Samsung Galaxy II, Tata 3G dongle

Favourite spirit
Laphroaig, a rich peat-flavoured single malt. I was born in Scotland, and some of it rubbed off.

Favourite champagne
I'm not nearly rich enough to have one.

Your sleeping ritual
Early to bed, early to rise, and ear plugs to shut out the steet.

Favourite TV show
The superb Danish murder drama The Killing, which ran with subtitles on BBC before I left London in 2011.

Best gift received
Getting one Maine Coon kitten for my 34th birthday.

Best gift given
Persuading my wife to allow us to also get the kitten's brother shortly afterwards, so we now both have two huge beloved furry cats.

Favourite cuisine
Indian (fortunately).

What food items do you like to shop for?BR>
I dislike nearly all shopping, beyond books.

Newspaper TV channels and websites you prefer
FT.com, naturally, but I recharge my brain with both the New Yorker and Caravan, a genuinely world-class Indian monthly magazine.

Where do you like to sit when being driven? Upfront with driver of back seat like a sahib?
I've never owned a car, and cycled everywhere in London. But I'm getting used to the back seat.

On a plane do you prefer to network, sleep or catch up on films and reading?
Movies please; a chance to catch up on guilty viewing pleasures. On my last trip I watched Ted, a film about a swearing cartoon bear, but don't tell anyone.

Fancy coffee or masala tea?
Fancy tea; very weak Earl Grey, to be precise.

What do you cook on your day off?
I make a mean spaghetti pomodoro.

Do you fill customer feedback forms? Why?
No. Pointless.

Are you a beach or mountain person?
Beach, but in the shade.

Your favourite city?
London.

What's your fragrance?
Unobtrusive, I hope.

The shoemaker you trust your sole with?
Croc sandals.

Your favourite evening wear?
Something sloppy.

Your current set of wheels
Never owned a car; I miss riding a bike to work.

Workday lunch is
New Martin's in Colaba, for dal and rice.

God for you
Improbable.

Your ideal dance music
Men over 30 shouldn't dance.

At parties do you like to talk turkey or make PC
Turkey please.

A few of your Goddesses are
My wife Mary, and my female cat, Lady Leonard.

Alpha males you know
My male cat Eric, known as Eric the Horse for his size and prowess.

Your favourite motto
All in good time.

James Crabtree
Correspondent, Financial Times