A question for Scots.

richard craniumrichard cranium Posts: 4,388
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The Scottish actress Elaine C. Smith was interviewed and she mentioned that when she was in England she palpable felt she was in a different Country.

Of course technically she is correct, but for someone as Cosmopolitan and for one who spends a great deal of time in London I found it a strange thing to say.

Her rampant Socialist, Republican and SNP outlook may have something to do with her feeling but I've never have that feeling when in England.

OK, the Policemen have silly hats and shopkeepers scowl and tut-tut at my Scottish banknotes but I don't feel any different or unwelcome than when I'm in Scotland.

A different Country or just the same Country ?
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 110
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    Definately a different country, when I moved to England from Scotland 8 years ago, I was made to feel very unwelcome for quite a long time, some of the English think it's ok to just take the p*ss out of the Scottish because they're basically in 'the same country'
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 4,156
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    TinMachine wrote: »
    Definately a different country, when I moved to England from Scotland 8 years ago, I was made to feel very unwelcome for quite a long time, the English think it's ok to just take the p*ss out of the Scottish because they're basically in 'the same country'

    We're not all like that :( It depends on where you go. Tiny, insular villages will be unfriendly if you're not a local, and London can be very unfriendly, for example. And how do you mean 'take the p*ss' - like poke fun, or make life difficult?

    I'm an English girl living in Scotland and it makes me sad when Scots say the English are unfriendly or unwelcoming and so forth. I've met many unfriendly people in both countries, and met an equal number of friendly people in both countries.
  • burnesideburneside Posts: 2,951
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    TinMachine wrote: »
    Definately a different country, when I moved to England from Scotland 8 years ago, I was made to feel very unwelcome for quite a long time, the English think it's ok to just take the p*ss out of the Scottish because they're basically in 'the same country'

    And the reverse doesn't happen?
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 110
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    Finky wrote: »
    We're not all like that :( It depends on where you go. Tiny, insular villages will be unfriendly if you're not a local, and London can be very unfriendly, for example. And how do you mean 'take the p*ss' - like poke fun, or make life difficult?

    I'm an English girl living in Scotland and it makes me sad when Scots say the English are unfriendly or unwelcoming and so forth. I've met many unfriendly people in both countries, and met an equal number of friendly people in both countries.

    You're right, I shouldn't generalise the English, the majority of my friends are English, I've edited my last post :)

    And my life was made very difficult at one point, it was quite a lot more than just poking fun.
    burneside wrote: »
    And the reverse doesn't happen?

    I never claimed that.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 4,156
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    burneside wrote: »
    And the reverse doesn't happen?

    I haven't had much trouble in Scotland for being English (and I live in Glasgow, it's the one place where you'd expect trouble!) but I think it's because I know how to conduct myself as an English person here - e.g. unless you can easily defend yourself against an angry Glaswegian, stay away from the centre on Scotland v England days, or indeed any high-profile sporting event involving Scotland :D And always, always keep out of the east end...
    TinMachine wrote: »
    You're right, I shouldn't generalise the English, the majority of my friends are English, I've edited my last post :)

    And my life was made very difficult at one point, it was quite a lot more than just poking fun.

    Thanks :) And it's such a shame your life was made difficult. Where abouts were you?
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 754
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    Try being English and relocating to north Wales, the Scots are pussycats in comparison. It happens everywhere, if you aren't local you're a foreigner no matter what parts of this island you come from.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 110
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    Finky wrote: »
    Thanks :) And it's such a shame your life was made difficult. Where abouts were you?

    I was originally in a small town near Dumfries when I lived in Scotland and I'm now in Basingstoke.
  • pickwickpickwick Posts: 25,739
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    I don't always feel like London's a different country, but Cornwall and Yorkshire and things are. Hmm. Maybe that's just an urban/countryside thing.

    I don't think saying something feels like a different country is a negative view at all though! I like different countries.
  • MidiboyMidiboy Posts: 8,263
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    I've lived in both countries (Scotland for 24 years, England for 18). Both have their qualities and both have their drawbacks.

    I've been made to feel equally at home and unwelcome on both sides of the border - but by and large the weather's better down here (as are the job opportunities), which is why I stay.
  • pickwickpickwick Posts: 25,739
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    TinMachine wrote: »
    I was originally in a small town near Dumfries when I lived in Scotland and I'm now in Basingstoke.
    Ecclefechan!

    (Sorry, I just take any opportunity to say that.)
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 110
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    pickwick wrote: »
    Ecclefechan!

    (Sorry, I just take any opportunity to say that.)

    Not Ecclefechan lol other side of Dumfries in Dalbeattie.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 987
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    England and Scotland are different countries. Scots Law is different from English law, the money is different, the architecture is different and of course, the accent and use of the language is different. We share a joint history but it is perceived differently on both sides of the border and we each have our own unique history.

    I'm all for it, as the French say 'Vive le difference'. I'll continue to enjoy visiting Scotland and I'll enjoy the things that make it different from England and the things that we have in common.
  • ayrshiremanayrshireman Posts: 9,279
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    The Scottish actress Elaine C. Smith was interviewed and she mentioned that when she was in England she palpable felt she was in a different Country.
    Of course technically she is correct, but for someone as Cosmopolitan and for one who spends a great deal of time in London I found it a strange thing to say.

    Her rampant Socialist, Republican and SNP outlook may have something to do with her feeling but I've never have that feeling when in England.

    Not something, everything.

    Cant abide the woman, never have. Epitome of a 'professional Glaswegian'. Course, unfunny and with a massive Glesga-socialist chip on her shoulder.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 623
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    lived in england for 5 years before returning back to scotland and it never felt any different really. Although i did live on an army estate where everyone was from all over the place!

    One thing i did find different (and better) was the summers, bbqs would begin at 1pm and last till 3am, chilling in the garden in bikins lol, in scotland your lucky if you can have a bbq at all :D
  • You_moYou_mo Posts: 11,334
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    The further south I go, the more chance some have in understanding the accent. Most people are fine but you get the occasional 'Can't understand ya'. Never had a problem in what London people call the 'North e.g Newcastle, Liverpool etc.
  • ScottishWoodyScottishWoody Posts: 23,220
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    Does anyone else find the 'style' of houses different. They're either that coronation street terraced look, or nice 90/00s style houses in England, whereas in Scotland all the houses seem so 70s and out-dated or 90/00s but out of place.
  • jenziejenzie Posts: 20,821
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    "Her rampant Socialist, Republican and SNP outlook"

    yep, pretty much killed any sympathy with your argument there
  • SystemSystem Posts: 2,096,970
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    I sort of feel like I am in a different country because when I cross the border into Scotland after being in England I cry cause I am glad to be home:o

    When I have visited England though I was made to feel really welcome.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 3,521
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    I lived in Brum many years ago ( stayed 10 yrs) yeh! I felt like I was in a different country totally... Also the attitudes towards the Scots (from english people- not all of course) was a bit iffy. I left in 95, have only visited once or twice since. :( my English friends tend to visit me and have a far better time.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 162
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    Am a Scot who lived in England briefly and is now based in Edinburgh.

    I never considered myself foreign when in England and had a great time with the people I knew there. Yes, there were some anti-Scots jokes made at me but nothing malicious. The reverse situation happens with some of my English friends up here. It has never become vindictive or offensive.

    Unfortunately, no matter where you are in the UK there are going to be idiots who take it too far and make people from somewhere different feel awkward. i think this would occur almost irrespective of where that person has come from.

    Of course, within the UK we have differences both between the states and within them. But I would say though (as much as some people may hate to admit it) I feel the English, Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish are far more similar than we give ourselves credit for.
  • MidiboyMidiboy Posts: 8,263
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    Does anyone else find the 'style' of houses different. They're either that coronation street terraced look, or nice 90/00s style houses in England, whereas in Scotland all the houses seem so 70s and out-dated or 90/00s but out of place.

    One of the biggest differences I've noticed is more use of red brick in England compared with grey concrete render or pale sandstone in Scotland which makes everything look drab imo. That's probably why I like the red sandstone tenements so much in Glasgow as even on the dreichest day, they're still a splash of colour on an otherwise grey backdrop.
  • abarthmanabarthman Posts: 8,501
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    A different Country or just the same Country ?
    Same country.

    I've never been made to feel unwelcome in England by anyone who realised that I was Scottish, but I am sadly aware that many Scots do harbour an bizarre and totally unfounded resentment towards the English.

    Ironically, that resentment can quickly turn to idol worship if the Englishman happens to be a football player and scoring lots of goals for their team of choice! ;)
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 11,139
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    When I was in London for a very short bit, it felt a million miles away but when I was in Birmingham for the same length of a bit I felt amazingly at home.

    It's probably different for everyone and every different part of the country, and the length of time you spend there etc. I don't feel greatly qualified to comment because a week or so is as long as I have ever spent in England, and also on those occasions I've been mainly too young to comment on such things and also mainly confined to seaside towns and beaches and touristy places.
  • THRTHR Posts: 9,808
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    Finky wrote: »
    I haven't had much trouble in Scotland for being English (and I live in Glasgow, it's the one place where you'd expect trouble!)

    Why do you think anyone would have trouble because of his nationality in a major city? Isn't it rather the remote villages where people look askance at anything or anyone they are not familiar with?
  • Lego PigLego Pig Posts: 2,279
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    Try being English and relocating to north Wales, the Scots are pussycats in comparison. It happens everywhere, if you aren't local you're a foreigner no matter what parts of this island you come from.

    Try finding a Welsh person in North Wales :confused: all brummies and scousers.
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