In the West, we have been withdrawing from our tradition-, religion-, and even nation-centred cultures.

I had a very, very difficult relationship with my mother, who was supremely self-centred. She was hilariously self-centred. She did not really take interest in anything that didn't immediately affect her.

If I'm pushed, I'd also have to admit I don't like people with allergies. They just annoy me. There seems to be something far too self-centred about it. 'No thanks, I'm allergic.' Why not just say 'No thanks'? I wasn't asking for your medical history, I was just passing around the nuts. Trying to be friendly, that's all.

I say, 'Use it or lose it.' I have my own fitness regime, which is centred around stretching, free-weights and fast walking. I also have a trainer half of the year, as I spend my summers in the south of France where I swim a lot.

What's amazing is that so many leaders who value teamwork will tolerate people who aren't humble. They reluctantly hire self-centred people and then justify it because those people have desired skills.

I had a very very difficult relationship with my mother who was supremely self-centred. She was hilariously self-centred. She did not really take interest in anything that didn't immediately affect her.

If I'm pushed I'd also have to admit I don't like people with allergies. They just annoy me. There seems to be something far too self-centred about it. 'No thanks I'm allergic.' Why not just say 'No thanks'? I wasn't asking for your medical history I was just passing around the nuts. Trying to be friendly that's all.