Event: Press conference by a telecom major in Muscat.

No of journalists attending the event: 10

No of extras attending the event: 30 and more (extras include marketing guys, brand executives, circulation folks, hordes of photographers and every one other than journalists)

Reason: The telecom giant is known to dole out delicious freebies (read gifts) as part of their press conference event.

…and now compare this to a press conference at a ministry.

No of journalists: 3

No of extras:Zero

Reason: Other than tea and biscuits, nothing else is ‘served’.