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Romania through international eyes

People
Vivid QUESTIONNAIRE
Franz Rattenstetter

A 30-year veteran of the hotel industry, Franz Rattenstetter began working in hospitality in Switzerland, when he held several seasonal jobs in St Moritz, Lausanne and Lucerne. Positions in Ischia, near Naples, London, Frankfurt, Oman and Lebanon followed, and several weeks ago saw the third anniversary of his position as General Manager of Bucharest’s Crowne Plaza hotel.

So, how’s life?
Great! Personally I feel very well, and professionally there is huge volume in the hotel at the moment.

Do you, or have you, ever had a nickname, and if so, what?
Frankie, Francesco and every other possible name that derives from Franz.

What is your earliest memory?
My first day at school, aged 5, and breaking my arm later that year. I had to spend two nights in hospital, which seemed like an eternity.

What were you like at school?
I was basically a good student – except at maths, in which I always made sure I sat next to someone good!

Are you a good dancer?
Yes, I like classical dancing. I used to be better though.

What is the last good book you read?
Steppenwolf, by Herman Hesse, which I liked very much, and World Citizen, by Carlos Ghosn, a Lebanese writer living in Brazil, which gives an insight into both cultures.

What film have you enjoyed recently?
The Terminal, with Tom Hanks and Catherine Zeta Jones.

Do you collect anything?
Yes, keycards from hotels I’ve stayed in.

Have you ever had a near-death experience?
Touch wood, I’ve only had a few minor accidents, nothing serious.

How do you keep so slim?
I like walking, and I eat everything, but only in small quantities.

Would you sunbathe naked?
That depends on the company, and the environment.

Would you bungee-jump?
I had the opportunity once, but didn’t take it. My life is too precious!

Would you ever consider getting a tattoo?
No, I think I look much better without one.

Where did you spend your most recent holiday?
In the south of France, in July, with some friends. I spent a week at the Carlton International at Cannes, and a week at a golf clinic in Opio, about 30 kilometres from Cannes.

If you could holiday anywhere, where would it be?
For skiing, Switzerland or Austria; for a beach holiday, Oman, but I still have a few parts of the world I’d like to visit, like Australia and Latin America.

If you could live anywhere, where would you live?
I’d live six months of the year in Tuscany, three months in the Swiss Alps, and the rest of the year in a city like Rome, Berlin or Beirut.

What is your greatest personal sporting achievement?
A silver medal for alpine skiing, in my younger years in Switzerland.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Grilled grasshoppers, in Mexico. They taste like Pringles.

Describe an enjoyable meal.
A candlelit dinner with a beautiful woman in a cosy place. It’s hard to choose the food, but the ambience is extremely important.

Describe the best party you ever went to.
New Years Eve in Mexico City, in 1988, with a few friends. We had never been there before, we didn’t plan anything, we were the last to leave the venue and after a few hours sleep continued celebrating all the next day with some locals we had met the night before.

What is your most recent extravagance?
Quite recently I bought a painting, completely spontaneously, which is something I hardly ever do.

What is your favourite musical instrument?
The piano.

What are you best at doing?
Skiing. I’ve always loved it, and I’ve been skiing every winter since I was 18.

What would you personally like to achieve in the future?
A golf handicap below 24.

What five words best describe you?
Tolerant, reliable, sensitive, demanding, flexible.

What do you like least about yourself?
I have a tendency to want things done too quickly.

What do you like least about yourself physically?
I hate the fact that we all have to get old.

Is the glass half-full, or half-empty?
Your glass is half empty. Can I offer you another one?

If you were not doing your current job, what might you do?
Anything related to travel and tourism – you meet so many people.

Who is your favourite Spice Girl?
The only one I recognise is David Beckham’s wife, but she is not my cup of tea.

Where were you on 31st December, 1999?
I was on duty at the Al Bustan Palace hotel in Muscat, Oman, looking after 400 guests. After Y2K passed without a hitch we were able to relax and drink a few glasses.

What do you do passionately?
Cook Italian food, when I have the time.

What is your most prized possession?
The concept of the family home, which is in the countryside outside Munich. I can relax there, and escape from everything.

What do you always carry with you?
My watch (a Baume & Mercier), some money, and my mobile phone (a Nokia 7310).

What is the most you have ever paid a hairdresser?
29 euros, and I’ve been having a haircut from the same hairdresser, Carola, who is in Munich, since the 1970s. It’s a trust thing.

What was your first car?
A second hand, sky blue, 1970 Volkswagen Beetle.

What do you do in hotel rooms?
I usually check the rooms for VIP arrivals.

What about when you’re on holiday?
I enjoy the comfort, and try to relax. But its difficult not to compare and contrast with my own hotel.

What is your all-time favourite television show?
If I’m not skiing myself, I can watch winter sports all day long.

What is your all-time favourite work of art?
Probably van Gogh’s 'Sunflowers'.

Who is your favourite James Bond girl?
Diana Rigg, who played Emma Peel in The Avengers, made a bigger impression.

Have you had any interesting jobs before this?
Not really. Before the hotel industry I trained for a retail sales position but found it pretty dull.

Have you got any pets?
No, although I like dogs very much.

How much money have you got on you now?
ROL 6.6 million, and some credit cards.

What is your favourite website?
www.tophotels.com and HVS Global Hospitality, which keeps me up to date with latest industry trends.

Is the art of letter-writing dead?
No. A letter gives a more personal touch to the message you want to convey.

Have you ever written a letter to a newspaper or magazine?
I wrote about Japanese culture and customs for a trade magazine, after traveling there several times and working for a Japanese hotel company.

Can you recite a line of poetry?
''If you’re always happy with the average, then you’ll never make it to excellence''.

Are you happy with your passport photograph?
It’s OK. It’s two years old so I basically look the same.

When was the last time you were in a fight?
I had a friendly fight with a policeman for driving too fast, on the way to Brezea recently to play golf.

Who is the sexiest person in the world?
I think Claudia Schiffer is very beautiful, but not really sexy.

Who is the sexiest person you know?
My ex-girlfriend, Cornelia B, who lives in Germany.

Describe your most recent dream.
I was retired, and living in Maui.

Do you talk in your sleep?
No one ever told me that I do.

When did you last have too much to drink?
During my farewell party ten years ago, drinking vodca, when I was transferred from Frankfurt to Jordan.

What is the best rock concert you were ever at?
Elton John, in Bucharest last year.

If you had three wishes, what would they be?
Can I have four? Peace, health, wealth and a long life.

If a film was made of your life, which actor would best play you?
A cross between the German actor Loriot, and Robert Redford.

What is best about living in Romania?
The Romanians.

What Romanian would you most like to meet?
I’ve met many politicians and celebrities, but I’ve never met Maia Morgenstern – I’d like to meet her.

What question would you most like to answer?
Who will be reading this?