"We are interested in the Middle East, but some of our associates are even more enthusiastic than us," said a senior partner over lunch the other day.

It seems that one associate suggested that the firm should set up an office in Iraq. The senior partner said that, while a good idea in principle, it looked like there might be a war there, so maybe it would be a bit better to wait for a while.

"But we are sure to win, so why don't we set up now? That means that we will be there already as soon as the country gets back on its feet when everyone else will want to start up, but we will be ahead of the game," was the reply.