Bucharest, Romexpo Exhibition Center. A sunny Thursday morning gives an auspicious grand opening to the bi-annual National Travel Fair. These few days we'll learn where we can go fo the summer holidays and how cheap. Tour operators and travel agencies are bustling about arranging their stands. I attach my badge in a visible and alluring place, right above the left breast. The badge doesn't stay straight and scratches my skin right in the middle of the cleavage. Never mind, I'll use this inconvenient as a reminder that, no matter what, I must keep smiling. Before the great rush of the general public, our beloved clients, I make the round to all the other agencies. We exchange business cards, CDs, catalogues, offers, collaboration contracts and the mandatory handshake and smile. The rep from the Greek Tourism Minister keeps me for a longer chat. He seats me at the official table, promptly fills a glass of ouzo (traditional Greek alcoholic drink) and wants to know all about our agency. And about me. Especially my marital status and whether I'd like to go to Greece on a permanent basis. I manage to escape safe and not married to the Greek rep. Further on. Time is ticking. In half an hour we have the grand opening and I must prepare myself for the rush of potential tourists. The Israeli reps are comfortably formal and distant. Contract, handshake, smile, Shalom and I'm through with them. Last, but not least, the Bulgarian rep. He's a big, jovial man, with a reddish face, large smile and very limited knowledge of English. We manage to communicate in an ad-hoc Anglo-Bulgarian and with many gestures. No more time, the doors open and a huge wave of humanity engulfs the hall. Watching the general rush, one would assume that the event were called "Free Food For All - Eat All You Can" and not National Travel Fair. Hungry eyes and grabbing hands rove everywhere, snatching posters, catalogues and price lists. "Really, is this the best offer for Greece?" a middle-aged lady with a confused husband and two daughters in tow enquires of me. I just gave her the poster promoting a whole week in Paralia, the best Greek summer resort, with transportation and daily half-board included, all for about 75 dollars. I wish to scream, but I remember to keep smiling. "Yes, ma'am, it is a wonderful offer." ("Of course, you may swim all the way to Paralia and cut the transportation expenses", I say to myself). A boy of 10 wants photos of Indonesia and Taiwan - the most colourful ones we have. I explain that, as we have a limited stock, we only give them to other travel agents for advertising purposes. I offer photos of Greece and Turkey instead. He sulkily accepts them, while his mother glares at me menacingly. Now, who am I to spoil the poor darling's day?! An older couple comes by. I look suspiciously at them. They'll certainly ask for photos and the cheapest offers. They look at the offers silently. Suddenly, the old man reaches for the purse. Now what? They can't possible be offering me their business cards! My astonishment is complete when the man produces money from the purse. "We would like to buy that offer in Verona for 7 days at the 5 star hotel. You see, we decided to go in a second honey moon." And the woman adds: "We've been saving for quite some time, because we don't want to be cheap when it comes to our happiness." I make the sale quickly and efficiently and remain looking on after the happy, contented couple. After this special moment, I can face all the Greek reps and spoiled children with the most sincere smile I ever smiled.