“I work in customer support for a mobile banking company in Dhaka. I've been there for about eighteen months now, mostly helping customers who've had problems with payments or forgotten their PIN.”

“Mainly answering calls and online chats, and sorting out customers' problems as quickly as I can. I also have to keep careful records of every case, so that if a problem comes back, a colleague can pick it up straight away.”

“Probably the shift pattern. Every few weeks I have to work late evenings, and it's quite hard to switch off and sleep properly after a long session on the phones.”

“To the right kind of person, yes. If someone's patient and enjoys solving problems, it's a good way into the finance sector, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who finds it hard to stay calm with frustrated people.”

“I loved it. I was always drawing on the backs of old calendars, mostly boats and village scenes, and my mother still has a box full of them somewhere.”

“Hardly ever, sadly. Work takes up most of my time, so the most I do these days is doodle in the margins of my notebook during long meetings.”

“Yes, I'd love an original painting rather than a print. Something calm, like a landscape of the river at sunset, would be perfect in our living room.”

“I try to be, but I'm not always successful. With Dhaka traffic, a twenty-minute journey can easily take an hour, so I've got into the habit of leaving much earlier than I need to.”

“It depends on the situation. For job interviews or exams, people are very punctual, but for social events it's perfectly normal to turn up half an hour late, and arriving exactly on time can actually feel a bit awkward.”

“I check the traffic on my phone before I leave and always give myself extra time. I also lay out everything I need the night before, so I'm not rushing around looking for my keys in the morning.”

“Yes, for my cousin's engagement ceremony. Our car broke down halfway there, and by the time we finally arrived, the rings had already been exchanged, so I'm still teased about it.”

“In cities, I'd say it's mostly screen-based games on phones and tablets, along with branded toys linked to cartoons. But traditional games haven't disappeared — in villages and on rooftops you still see children playing cricket with a homemade bat, spinning tops, or playing old chasing games. So there's quite a divide, and it often depends on how much space and money a family has. And carrom is still hugely popular everywhere, in cities and villages alike.”

“The biggest difference is probably freedom. When my parents were young, children would disappear outside for hours and invent their own games with whatever they could find. These days, play tends to be much more supervised and organised — partly because parents worry more about safety, and partly because so much entertainment now comes ready-made on a screen. As a result, I think children today get less practice at simply making things up.”

“Not necessarily — in fact, I'd argue the opposite is often true. Expensive electronic toys usually do one thing very well, so the child just presses buttons and watches. A simple toy, like a set of wooden blocks, can become a house, a car or a bridge, so it pushes children to use their imagination. Of course, some expensive educational toys are excellent, but price alone tells you very little about value.”

“I think they should, but sensibly rather than strictly. Some games are genuinely good for problem-solving and even teamwork, so banning them completely seems unnecessary. The problem is when they replace sleep, physical activity or time with family. So rather than a fixed rule, I'd suggest parents agree clear limits with their children and explain the reasons, because children are more likely to respect rules they understand. Parents setting a good example with their own phones helps too.”

“In moderation, yes. Competition can teach children to set goals, work hard and, just as importantly, cope with losing, which is a skill they'll need for the rest of their lives. But if the pressure is too intense, or adults care more about winning than the children do, it can damage their confidence. So I think the key is balance — mixing competitive activities with ones where children have to cooperate.”

“Partly it's personality — some people simply get a buzz from winning, whatever the game is. But I think upbringing plays a part too. If someone grew up in a family or school where coming first was praised above everything else, they may find it hard to relax, even in a casual game. And sometimes it's about self-esteem: for a few people, losing feels like a judgement on them as a person.”

“I'd expect so. Teachers are already using quizzes with points and leaderboards to make revision more engaging, and as the technology improves, I can imagine whole subjects being taught partly through games — history through simulations, for instance. The risk is that learning becomes entertainment and nothing more, so I think games will work best as one tool among many, not as a replacement for good teaching. And of course, not every school will be able to afford the equipment.”