The Steeple Times asks emerging market investor David Reuben Jr: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
I try to follow the “Golden Rule”. Treat others the way you would prefer that they treat you. Be careful how you are with people on your way up, you just might meet them on the way down.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is probably not for you.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
I don’t know what a ‘Kerry Katona’ is, but novelty ties and people that get up and walk around on airplanes are always unacceptable.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
Living in New York, I miss being able to regularly to go Stamford Bridge and witness the Mighty Blues smite their opposition.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
More wealth. Or invisibility. In fact, I would just take the invisibility and use it to steal back an equivalent amount of wealth. And stalk Kate Upton in the nude. In fact, bugger the stealing, I would just stalk Kate Upton.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
Ambitious people will always find a way to leverage themselves and their businesses and new generations of bankers will always be happy to help them. Every 10 years or so it will come crashing down.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
Three: ‘Moist’, ‘dinghy’, ‘synergy’ and ‘panties’.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I am personally motivated towards giving to causes looking to cure cancer and the protection of marine wildlife. But, there are a million great causes.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
My iPhone doesn’t leave my hand for a second.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
The cast of Seinfeld.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
I would have a rack of ribs and curly fries from American chain Houston’s. I’m pretty sure I would eat it in my cell as I’m convinced they don’t allow you to leave.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
6.30am, immediately prior to heading to bed.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A shot of 1942 Tequila and a Corona Light I’m afraid.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
I don’t get invited to many parties, which is entirely understandable given my behaviour at them.
Who is the most positive person you know?
You are, Matthew.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Despite being in my 30s, I break out my PlayStation once in a while.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
It would look like a birthmark so people wouldn’t think I had a tattoo.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A Mercedes AMG. Low key but packing some serious power beneath the hood.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I’m the world’s greatest table tennis player, having never even lost a single point. Various people will dispute this but they are all motivated by nefarious intentions and should be ignored.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
I live in a loft in New York. Mantlepieces are hard to come by. Alas, perhaps one day.
David Reuben Jr is an emerging market investor. Based in New York, he is also opening a new restaurant in the city in two weeks time.
Follow David Reuben on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/dreubenjr