This man called out to us as we were strolling down a Shanghai street.

He wandered over, stiff with age and the confines of his padded jacket, but all eagerness to talk.

He wanted to know where we were from, where we were staying in Shanghai, and how we were getting about the city. In impeccable English, he regaled us on everything from the recent sale of a 'Scandinavian villa' in Shanghai to the need for us to get ourselves a copy of yesterday's newspaper.

'I like your earmuffs!' I gushed, already half in love with this bouncing, English-speaking eccentric gent.

'Yes!' he beamed. 'They're made by a very small company ... not in business now. But they keep the ear most warm!'

*Heart offcially melting*

Can I keep him, Mum?