Manners maketh


By Jenni Frazer
August 8, 2011
Share

Just when London and the metropolitan manners are getting truly awful, a timely reminder that there is life outside the Great Wen and, indeed, it is courteous.
I spent part of last week in Scotland, on the Isle of Arran and in Glasgow. The really striking thing about both places was the friendliness and politeness in shops, public transport, and restaurants. Not just regulation pleases and thank-yous; genuine, unforced greetings, people stopping in the street to help, incredible service in shops, whether we were buying or not. My friends and I asked someone the way in the street; she thought about it, told us, and then, realising that she had misled us, ran after us to re-direct us, and then waited at the place to make sure that we got there safely. Fairly extraordinary behaviour if one is used to the sheer surliness of the London commuter.
I'd like to swank and say that my fellow Scots are known for their devotion to politeness but I don't actually believe that to be the case. Rather, London is so full of bile that any departure from the "norm" is a much appreciated surprise. Almost certainly most places outside the capital are like this. We just forget, unfortunately.

COMMENTS

amber

17 August, 2011 - 10:07

Rate this:

0 points

I wouldn't holiday in an area which has initiated a boycott of Israel.

Neither should you.

jonathancohen

17 August, 2011 - 10:14

Rate this:

0 points

I believe the boycott was in West Dumbarton. My geography may be a little rusty but the beautiful Isle of Arran and the slightly less beautiful Glasgow are not in that area.
I sincerely hope that Ms Frazer availed herself of the local beverage. Slange Var!

amber

17 August, 2011 - 10:29

Rate this:

0 points

Are you sure? In addition, you should know that the boycott is backed by several figures of the ruling SNP. Why give them support at all? Scotland is generally viscerally anti-Jewish.

And I have lived there.

jonathancohen

17 August, 2011 - 10:40

Rate this:

0 points

And yes, I am sure the boycott was limited to the very silly council of West Dunbartonshire.

amber

17 August, 2011 - 13:23

Rate this:

0 points

I would rather go to Israel than Israel bashing Scotland.

Go to Dundee and help the Israel bashers if you want. Says a lot about you.

amber

17 August, 2011 - 13:24

Rate this:

0 points

In light of the fact that you want Israel to give land to Hamas for more violence in return, it's not surprising that you take such a view.

jonathancohen

17 August, 2011 - 13:29

Rate this:

0 points

Amber, are you the house troll? It isn't national Scottish policy. In fact, even Dundee, twinned, I believe, with Nablus, has shunned the boycott.
Having heard Ms Frazer several times on radio, I think she is originally from there. And while you present yourself as a single name, I have no way of knowing that you are who you say you are or have done what you claim to have done.

amber

17 August, 2011 - 13:46

Rate this:

0 points

No, it's just Scottish national policy to be hostile to Israel. Go and enjoy it there.

Please try to make new points, rather than cutting and pasting old posts.

POST A COMMENT

You must be logged in to post a comment.

MORE FROM THIS AUTHOR

LATEST COMMENTS