The Scottish Are Mean ?

Some of us have a reputation for being tight with our money.....which could also be called mean....

I'm not going to name area's, or people, as I'm far too polite.

I don't really see the Scots that hang about on here being short of a bob or two either....

Certain areas bread rather gruff/brazen people, but then I guess that's the same for most places.....it's just due to the size of the population it seems more concentrated.....in certain areas.....

Again, I couldn't possibly comment on those whereabouts.....

Cheers,
Ali

I believe we have to thank Harry Lauder for the popular image of the penny-pinching kilt-wearing Scot with a funny walking stick and big silly hat. In my experience we are pretty much like any other people. There are some arseholes but most of us are quite nice. In fact, per head of population we give more to charity than any of the other UK nations. I would say however that we are less impressed by ostentation than most.

An Aberdonian was walking down Union St in Aberdeen when a penny dropped out of his hand and rolled into the middle of the street. He immediately chased after it and was flattened by a passing bus.

After a very short Fatal Accident Inquiry the Sheriff declared that it was "death by natural causes"....

Couldn't resist...

Jim

Dear Jim,

Only a Scot could get away with that! George

George

Only an Aberdonian... :-)

Jim

LOL! G

PS: As a half Norwegian, I think I can get away with the observation that though they are usually very polite they can be excessively formal, and even distant!

George,
I don't think "formal" is quite the word (although you may mix in different circles from me). I'm not into small talk and confess I'm suspicious of people who immediately talk to you as if they've known you all your life. If we get through that barrier you can rest assured I'll be a genuine friend but I'm not interested in forcing a conversation with somebody I've nothing in common with, and whom I'll never meet again. I'd rather be listening to my music!

I'm your typical dour Scot I guess.

Dear Tom,

It is an odd one, because in Norway I get taken for a Norweian being wiry, fair and not so very tall, and they are much less distant if they think you actually are Norwegian! I have enjoyed the two trips I had to Scotland, where I found that generosity was the main fault! When pouring the drink! I was quite happy to join in!

Now when I was in Poland, most recently at a lovely wedding almost a month ago, I never found such a contrast as to being in Norway. It remains true that Poles love the British, and also I was a well respected friend of both bride and groom on this occasion, but I had one hell of a two day party meeting people who at least some of them, I stand next to no chance of ever meeting again.

I started out in Norwegiuan mode, quietly drinking in the atmosphere, and was frog-marched off to join the top table in alsorts of japes! There are differences I am sure. I am happy for people to be themselves, whatever that might be! I would never go to live in Norway though. I prefer the less clinically black and white attitude of the Poles, who know what loyalty is, and yet know how to have a fun day today, for who knows what tomorrow may bring. So I am not really typically Norwegian or even typically English. But I have really enjoyed the company of the Scots I have met!

ATB from George

quote:

I started out in Norwegian mode, quietly drinking in the atmosphere

George, I knew a few Norwegians quite a few years ago just before and after graduating. Back in the 70s many foreign students studied engineering and applied sciences at Strathclyde University. It may still be the same nowadays. My experience was that they were, to a man (or woman) extremely fine folk but none of them "quietly drank in the atmosphere". They were more than happy to take advantage of the relatively cheap booze in the UK and when we had a party in our flat we generally had at least one Norwegian carted out and put to his bed elsewhere. Fine folk who enjoyed a good time and I really enjoyed their company.

Dear Tom,

I suppose that I must confess that I am talking of my Norwegian family and their aquaintances, who seemed to me legion! And also my time spent deliberately not in their company while staying there as well. When it comes to drinking Norwegians certainly have a historical record of being seriously prone to over-indulgence! That is why the sales of anything alchoholic other than weak beer is throught the Statvinmonopolet, where the price is seriously high enough to discourage over indulgence! £70 for a bottle of good spirits! Etc!

But they are generally polite and quiet in public, though I have never sampled the delights of a Norwegian nightclub! I do not even know if such a thing might actually exist!

ATB from George

quote:

Originally posted by Exiled Highlander:
George

Only an Aberdonian... :-)

Jim

Yep it could only be an Aberdonian- from one North Eastern Scot to another.

Having lived in Scotland for a while I would say folk from Yorkshire are far more "careful with their pennies".

Plus I thought Fifers were more penny pinching than North Easterners?

"Lights the blue touch paper and retires"

Ewemon

Are you in Australia or NZ or still in Scotland? Was trying to figure that out from your Location info....

Cheers

Jim

Sorry to interrupt..


Did anyone here the story about the Scotsman who lent an Irishman a half a quid.



... Thats right,...you never heard about it because IT NEVER HAPPENED, har, har...

We Yorkshiremen also get this levelled at us. As always these stereotypes are nonsense when applied to every individual Scot/Yorkshireman/A N Other region.

We're not alone though. I worked in Seville for a few months and due to my Spanish pronunciation (S's pronounced ce instead of th) they called me "the northerner". However when I put my hand in my pocket for a round they all joked that I couldn't be a northern Spanish person becasue they are "all mean".

Maybe its a northern thing!

Jonathan

Definition of a Yorkshireman?

A Scotsman with the generosity squeezed out...