Cheers (1)

I was using the bathroom in Scotland and when I walked out the lady waiting in line for the bathroom said to me "cheers love". I have heard this the most as a general greeting and maybe even as a thank you. I have noticed the use of "pardon" instead of excuse me and whenever I say "thank you" they say "thank you" right back. Their version of "you're welcome". In England I have noticed that the letters "r" and "t" are either softly pronounced or not pronounced and they always kind of round their vowel sounds. The biggest difference in pronunciations from England to Scotland is in Scotland they always use really deep dips in their vowel sounds. They use a lot more slang as well (so a local explained to me).

I think that I mentioned in a previous blog how softly they speak in groups and in public. Well I'm pretty sure that only goes for England or at least the Grantham area. In Edinburgh, Scotland they are louder and much more outgoing and unreserved with their speech (and actions). It was mentioned by a local that certain curse words are generally used only when a Scottish person in truly angry. They proceeded to explain that the Scottish get angry quickly. Another interesting side note it that "heavy metal" music in Britain us not breakdowns and growling like in America but it is dance and techno music.

The Scottish nonverbal behavior is more "hearty" than in America. By that I mean I have observed more touching, hugging, smiling just at meeting. Even as they walk past some can't help but say "cheers" to each other.In comparing Britain and America I think that in general they are more polite to one another. Sometimes saying "hi" to a random person on the sidewalk in America will get you a strange or dirty look and a silent walk past. Here they respond happily to a random greeting. I think that in England the important things are staying off your cell phone and iPod in public. They even have signs posted indicating how rude it is and that you could get escorted out of public areas while using them.

The a cheery public disposition is something much more valued here than in America. The trend in America is to look put-out and anti-social. How many times have you been sitting in class before it starts and everyone around you is trying to fit in their last texts before the teacher comes in? People walking down the street don't even watching the concrete but watching their cell screens. How many times have you said "thank you" at to someone in America and they're response is silence. Maybe you don't notice because it's happens so often but here it would be rude. The human interaction is something that they still rely on here. It's still needed. The way that America is going we will eventually be completely out of touch with each other and isolated to our technology.

P.S. pictures coming soon