Suzanne Noble: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times asks the founder of the Frugl app Suzanne Noble: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

Laughter, love and the search for a great Reuben sandwich.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

“Shit or get off the pot”. Is that too rude?

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2014?

Most house wine. It’s just totally undrinkable in most cases.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

Being able to sing: I spent most of my twenties singing jazz standards. Now I’m barely able to hit above a middle C. Singing along to the radio is torturous for my kids.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

I’m not very wealthy so I don’t have to worry about that, but if I did I’d swap it for finding a way to grow old gracefully. Most people suffer terribly as they get older; it’s not a nice way to go.

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?

It’s a mess. The rich get richer and the tax experts just get smarter.  Don’t get me started…

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“Butters”: My sons use it to describe someone unattractive. It’s just awful. “You know what I mean”, comes a close second.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

Sure, you have to consider what goes on at home but you can’t ignore the needy.

I have a personal soft spot for buskers. If a musician entertains you, even for a minute, they should be rewarded. Back when I had more money, I gave monthly to Shelter. Nobody should have to live on the streets.

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?

I’m a victim of the times, I’m afraid. I run an app so it’s a necessity as much as a bad habit. However, I’m dead against the use of mobiles while driving or operating dangerous machinery.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

Bill and Hillary Clinton, George Clooney Germaine Greer, Hugh Jackman, Joan Rivers, James Franco and my friends and family.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

A pastrami sandwich at Katz’s Deli in New York.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

Anytime after lunch in my opinion is fine for a glass of wine or a beer. Cocktails are only for after work.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

Oh, definitely a Negroni, although a vodka martini straight up comes a close second.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

Small dinner parties, full of interesting people are the best. I like good conversation and any party of more than 10 makes it difficult to “do the room”.

Who is the most positive person you know?

Myself: Naively positive some would say. I am missing the gene enabling me to be negative. I get very upset when what I think is going to happen doesn’t.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

A Green & Black’s small milk chocolate bar. I’ve had to ween myself off them.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

A handwritten one saying: “There’s no time like the present”.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

Something a bit frivolous but inexpensive like a Nissan Figaro.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

I’ve written a bestselling book.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

I don’t have a mantelpiece.

Suzanne Noble was born in America. She has variously worked as a publicist and a producer for Channel 4 but now “combines her love of bargains with her understanding of technology” in the form of the app she founded, Frugl.

Follow Suzanne Noble on Twitter @StunningPR.

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