From doing to communications in the hotel sector to now hosting radio shows and moderating conferences, Adrian Seet is the jack of all trades when it comes to the media industry. Here we get a taste of his charming personality as he talks about haggling, packing and life behind as well as in front of the camera.
GOASIAPLUS: If you could go on a weekend getaway with any celebrity, who would it be?
Adrian: It’s a toss between CNN’s Anderson Cooper– because he’s super intelligent and Oprah Winfrey because she has great energy and she’ll be a great conversationalist… right till we run out of dessert, wine and coffee!!
G: What country you last visited made a lasting impression on you?
A: It was Geneva in Switzerland! Only until you get there, will you then believe the picture postcard perfect sceneries you see in travel magazines. The coffee & ice-cream culture is amazing, the architecture astounding and it’s really, really clean lah!
G: What’s the worst thing about long haul flights?
A: The waiting time; once you’re at the airport, hours ahead of time for check-ins, and before you get on the plane. I just want to be at my destination already!!
G: What kind of a packer are you?
A: For a weekend trip, I’m happy to throw everything into one bag and run with it. BUT, if it’s travel for work (where I normally extend my stay for a holiday), then I’m painfully meticulous. I plan out what I’ll be wearing for all the working days and then those to relax in. I’ll also make a list of ALL the items that I’m taking with me so that at the end of my trip, I’ll come back with everything that I initially took with me! I told my friends about this recently and they think I need therapy!!
G: What do people not know about being in front of a camera?
A: That while it is a skill that you can train for- either to present well or successfully anchor a program live on air- somehow the camera needs to love you too. I see many programs that are anchored well but I’m not attracted to watch it till the end because I just don’t resonate with the anchor person, the ‘X-Factor’ is not there.
G: How are your haggling skills during shopping excursions abroad?
A: I’ll say that I’m brilliant at Chatuchak Market in Bangkok. I never pay more than 50 percent of the original price for something. So, if a belt is initially priced at RM100 I’ll normally end up paying like RM35 for it; which I think is what the shopkeepers would have eventually sold it for anyway.
G: Best place in Malaysia to go for a day trip?
A: Oh my hometown Malacca for sure! Big enough for one to go in search for great Peranakan food, see historical sites and shop in Jonker Street, and small enough for one to do all that in a day!
G: What is the best part of being behind the mic during radio shows?
A: The best part is when you know that your guests are enjoying themselves; they get into a zone where they are just having a conversation with you. Most people (company MD’s and CEO’s included) might not be necessarily comfortable with being interviewed, so I get thrill when they say “Huh…that’s it?” at the end of a one hour show because it sure didn’t feel like it.
G: On holiday, it is alright to splurge on…
A: …. magnificent desserts…yum!!!
G: Are you doing any new radio shows?
A: YES… we are about to embark on a travel-type show that gives our listeners a chance to explore new travel destinations within ASEAN. Through this show, we hope to give listeners an idea of their next dream holiday destination. I think we’re going to call it ‘GOASIAPLUS’!! .
