Dr Manmohan Singh is literally prime minister with a difference.
Before leaving for a three-day visit to Bangkok, Thailand, to participate in the first BIMST-EC summit, the economist-turned-politician asked his aides where his air ticket was.
He was politely told not to bother, as it was a special flight for him.
The staff was also puzzled when Dr Singh sought some foreign exchange to be at hand for his wife Gursharan Kaur to give tips to waiters and hotel staff during the visit.
Dr Singh, who is generally seen in pyjama-kurta, got a bandgala stitched only two days ago.
Asked whether the trip would provide a breather, Dr Singh said, "I do not think there is any time to relax."