Do Americans Love the Scottish?, and Why?

[scottishstew1]

I have been looking up the scotland.com guestbook and I cant believe most of the 1,353 guests who signed it are all American or Canadian giving out their love for our country. I was expecting it to be signed by fellow scots and telling us what we think about our country.

Scotland has its own nighttime radio show, where scots can phone in and talk about anything they like, when the topic is about America or the Americanization of Scotland, the phrase "The Americans are fond of the Scots" is always said, even my mum says that too. The radio show subsitute is an American from Texas, and she loves all things scottish. I get flattered when I hear the phrase because I love America myself and If I had the money and the job, I would live there, I have a relative who is scots-american and lives in New Jersey.

But Ive been hearing abusive comments about Scots by Americans, especially at the movies, "CaddyShack" is a major point as it has many abusive comments about Scottish people (I.E Shut up you lowsy forienger, I'll shove your bagpipes up your smelly butt), also our famous drink "Irn Bru" is banned in America, Im not surprised about that because its very bad for you.

I go to college and many of my collegemates are single, and when they talk about love, they say "If you cant find a girlfriend in Scotland, head for America" and I thought "Why America?,, Why not England, Wales or Ireland?", then one of my collegemates does a impression of an American woman saying "Your Scottish accent is soooooo heartmelting"

"do Americans Love the Scottish" I know it seems an obvious answer, but im only asking the Americans who REALLY know, and why do they love/hate us?

Ciao and god bless America

[GaelicGirlNYC]

Oi!
In answer to your question (and it's just my opinion...so whatever...)
I couldn't make a generalization about why Americans love Scotland. Some do, some don't, some couldn't care less I'm sure. However, speaking for myself...I can't truly put into words what I feel for Scotland. I have never been There, but feel a strange pull that has had me to the point of near obsession for many years (Wayyyyy before 'Braveheart' by the by.) As I get older (I'm 30 years old) this strange obsession grows by leaps and bounds. Why does anyone obsess about anything? Past life? A fantastical view of something mystic that is perhaps missing in peoples' lives??? Who the hell knows?
I am originally from Honolulu, Hawaii and I can probably relate somewhat to your situation. Millions of people FLOCK to Hawaii every year with a picture of paradise out of some tourist magazine or television program (Hawaii 5-0, Magnum P.I, etc.) and when they land, they are taken aback by the overpopulation,poverty, polution and commercilization that is Hawaii. It's not a slum by any means (though there are a few) but I constantly hear of people who were disgruntled with the REAL Hawaii. Perhaps people find it difficult to face the ugly truth that Hawaiians were raped, robbed of their religion and eventually smothered by the American government in their quest for money and a strong military hold in the pacific.
To me this smacks of Culloden. Native Scots trying to hold on to a peaceful, one-of-a-kind way of life only to be crushed by the machine that is greed. People kill what they don't understand.
I don't pretend to know, first hand, this kind of horrifying relocation and ethnic cleansing, but perhaps Americans wish to find a life that they remember as quiet, healthy and honest.
Am I digressing? Sorry to be so obtuse...I get riled up.
Subsequently, the United States isn't the 'Promised Land' that many people envision. We are pretty self centered and obnoxious for people who found those qualities so oppressive in the English and therefor broke away from 'The Machine' over 200 years years ago.
Perhaps people like me who, deep in their hearts, love and adore other cultures such as Scotland realize that we have had the wool pulled over our eyes for so long and have Forgotten Who We Are.
Thus, like many Americans who are obsessd with Native American Cultures, we are looking to Great and Strong people to emulate.
Yet even as I write this, I am reminded of the movie 'Trainspotting' where Ewan MaGreggor's character 'Renton' puts the brakes on Sickboy's plan to go for a hike in the Highlands. "Shyte being Scottish! We're the lowest of the low! We're ruled by wankers!"
What a sad statement to be made about such a strong, loyal, honest and vastly enterprising people such as the Scots.
Why do we all hate our own cultures and want to join another? It's not like one would find what one was looking for in another culture. Or is it?
I frequent a Scottish pub in New York City (where I live) and always feel at home when my friends and I go there. It is a rare place where I as a woman never feel threatened by any of the native Scotsman who work there and feel respected, always.
In my reading about Scotland I understand that it is not overpopulated and that kindness is the order of the day.
See? I wonder if you are shaking your head at that last statement.
I suppose we look to another culture for ideas on how to improve our own.
I for one try to change the view of my own obnoxious American stereotype by trying to be the best individual I can be, and I find that the qualities I have experienced in your own culture are more in line with my style of thinking.
We have no clan Tartans, we have Thanksgiving. We are mutts we are a very young culture. Scotland, very ancient.
Perhaps we wish to be accepted by such an old and respected people such as yourself.
Okay. I'm going to stop before this turns into 'War and Peace.'
Let me know what you think? I'm in Hawaii right now doing a show so I have lots of time to wax Scottish.
Here's to the New Parliament!!!
Izzy
P.S.: Don't worry about 'Caddyshack' we as Americans are made fun of ALL THE TIME!!!! Whatever..right?

[moonpie]

Hi there scottishstew1. I'm a lady from the US and I like it that you take interest in our country. I wouldn't pay any attention to comments like that especially from hollywood.lol Some ppl are just like to make fun of something different or someone not like them, you know what I mean? Some americans make fun of each other. I've noticed that all countries make fun of each other. I try not to be like that, I take great interest in other countries, especially the ppl. It's fascinating to me that although we all share the same earth we are so different, like cultures, languages, etc. Even though I live in the US where some ppl here think that we are the super power over other countries, I disagree. I keep in mind that we are all created equal under God. Ok enough of that eh? The reason that some women here take interest in you scottish men is, from my experience and what i've heard, you are by far more romantic and in touch with yourselves than the men here. Am I right? I knew a guy with alot of scottish background in him. He had the celtic features, likes celtic music, and he was different than the men i've known. He was a friend of my husband's. He could sing real good and he was known for serenading his loves, you know what I mean? I always thought if I wasn't married i'd be after him.lol. I've heard that alot of scottish men were romantic like that. Every woman wants a guy who isn't afraid to show her his love that's what I heard about the men there. Not many of them here. Tell me if I'm wrong. Email me if ya want. talk to you again. i hope.

moonpie

[scottishstew1]

I think you could be correct, because as I said in my last message, there is an american subsitute at our local radio show, she had 5 HUSBANDS, one of them was Scottish, and she said that scots are more romantic, BUT American Men are better at the foreplay.

Sorry to anyone who gets pissed off because of someone posting the same message twice, I posted it first to the guestbook and then to here because I thought the topic related more to personals.

CIAO

[moonpie]

I couldn't tell you about the foreplay part, because i've never had an intimate experience with a scotsman.lol. I was wondering why your friends said that if you couldn't find a scottish girlfriend head for america. What is the rumors about us? I also wanna know what scotland really thinks of us americans, do most of you love us or hate us? Sounds like the american substitute has bad luck with marriage. In america the divorce rate is very high, and the statistics point out that here about 60% or over of married couples fool around. To me that's pretty bad. How is the marriages there? I hope it's better than here. plz reply.

moonpie

[scottishstew1]

Us scots dont mind the Yanks, we would welcome the Americans to our country in open arms. But the only thing we hate about America is the Americanization of our country (I.E McDonalds, Kfc's, Pizza Hut, Dunkin Donuts and Baseball Caps), we believe we are losing our culture (the haggis, the kilt, the steak pie) and its all burgers, hot dogs, donuts and baseball caps, you know what I mean?. despite that though, I think many Scots believe that the Americans love the Scottish and thats why we respect you so much.

[scottishstew1]

Mmmmmmmm...... Yeah, I see what you mean about marriages, I see alot of "Hollywood" movies where couples divorce. (I.E Mrs Doubtfire) I dont think Scotland has a larger divorce record than America but Its still pretty high I think.