Privacy and the Highlands Ethos.

[macwilkin]

I don't necessarily agree that respecting another's privacy can only be found in the South; you'll also find a good deal of it in the Midwest and the West as well.

As I read this thread I was thinking of the song "Iowa Stubborn" in Meredith Willson's The Music Man -- when Prof. Harold Hill asks the River (Mason) City undertaker what "people do for entertainment in this town?", he replied: "Mind our business."

While there is a good deal of truth in The Music Man concerning Iowa, in general, the people of the Northern Midwest are some of the most friendly and welcoming I know -- but I am biased.

T.

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

I used to be loud and opinionated, until I started working in a business environment. I imagine the "loudmouth" Americans have not exposed themselves to that milieu.

[Bugbear]

Are the Scots keeping part of their thoughts or feelings, etc, private so that these can not be attacked or taken away? A kind of inner protection.

If that's the case, I can relate to it. We have people over here who will demand that other people state their beliefs, and even insult someone for not being out spoken about these personal things. It's almost like they are uncomfortable about not being sure whether to hate you or not.

The other side of that is the people who are "in your face" about everything. I don't know which leads to which; it's more of a cycle of backlash.

[Phil]

Are the Scots keeping part of their thoughts or feelings, etc, private so that these can not be attacked or taken away? A kind of inner protection.

That may be part of it. Also Scots tend to disapprove of anyone who tries to set himself above his peers, either in word or deed. "Och, I kent his feither" (I knew his father) is a well-known put down and I have heard it used in connection with a few Scots worthies, Sean Connery being one. It is considered rude in the extreme to discuss your or your family's private business in public, particularly financial details or other aspects which will have been taught to you from an early age are not to be revealed in any circumstances. To boast of ones wealth or property, particularly to someone less well off is, as I said at the beginning of this, greatly looked down upon. It is said that "knowledge is power" and to freely hand such power to a stranger is tantamount to placing your fate in their hands. So you just don't do it.

[Bugbear]

That makes sense. Thanks for explaining it.