After yesterday's [Conde Nast] publisher Si Newhouse doesn't-like-garlic-so-is-he-a-vampire debate, someone writes in with a Si-is-not-a-vampire vote and explains how it's possible that a Conde Nasty could not know that he's the "old man" with whom Vogue editor Anna Wintour can be seen lunching: "Folks frequently don't know what Si looks like; he uses this as a weapon. One time at the old 350 Madison location, an outside sales rep and someone with her were headed up to Vogue and were trash-talking Anna. Si happened to be on the elevator with them, but they had no idea, since he was likely wearing one of his torn sweaters and looking like the janitorial help. Si doesn't like hearing anyone talking like that about his people, so he got off the elevator, went into his office and called security, asking that the people be tossed out of the building."

"Also at 350 Madison, before there were electronic security gates and the security folks were idiots (only a mild upgrade there once we moved to 4TS). PETA walked into the building one evening around 5:30 with signs and a bullhorn,
went right past security and into the elevators. Up they went to Vogue, where
they found Anna still in her office — with Si. They proceeded to use the bullhorn right in his face.

Suffice to say, the next day we had electronic security gates.

He's actually a sweet man, for what it's worth. I've had the opportunity to speak with him a number of times, and you don't get any real attitude from the man. When he speaks, it's VERY timidly. You'd never know this guy is worth bajillions of dollars."