hate crime....

[Kid Cossack]

When I was with Ann on holiday in the south of England a few years back a young man took exception to my Scottish accent and punched me in the face and came out with a load of racial abuse. Well I'm not a fighter but I did have a lot of stamina and I just stood there and screamed abuse back at him and dared him to hit me again now that other people were watching. He slunk away in the crowd. I reported it to the police but of course he couldn't be traced. Happily people like this are in a very small minority and most English are friendly towards Scots. It happens the other way too, that while 99.9% of Scots will welcome English visitors, there is always the one bad apple who will destroy his country's good reputation by bad behaviour.

I hope that by "a few years back" you don't mean just two or three! I don't think much of fighting to begin with, and fighting across generational lines is just (as the English might say!) "bad form."

[windowlikcer]

thats just like the english isnt it... although for some reason i doubt they were "intimidated" by some english girls singing stupid songs...

[turpin]

Somewhere in this story there is a Monty Python skit waiting to get out. I see a French soldier taunting King Arthur......

[David Dalglish]

This was probably the most Exciting thing that has happened in Aspatria in 3 generations

[beloitpiper]

I've been mocked more times than I can count while wearing my kilt. I've learned to ignore it, and, at rare times, strike back. I've become quite good at it, and when it becomes necessary, I'll strike below the belt.

[Retro Red]

"They informed us that during the parade a group of young people - predominantly young girls - made anti-Scottish comments towards them and sang some anti-Scottish songs," he said.

Perhaps the girls were really bad singers & the pipe band, being musicians, took offense to their caterwauling???
.

[emolas]

Just today, in fact, I was out walking my dog and passed a group of about 5 young teenage girls when one of them said "Nice skirt" whereupon they all started laughing and/or giggling. I replied to them "Actually it's a kilt but thank you for the compliment anyway" and went on my way. I really do love ignoring sarcasm

[Peter C.]

I have never seen a junior pipe band without at least one adult with them, usually the Pipemajor.

I am English and have lived in England most of my life. I have spent time in Wales, Ireland and lots of time in Scotland. I have never experienced this discord that is meant to exist between these three coutries and England. I have had friends in all three coutries. The best friend I ever had was Scottish.

I have walked through Colchester in England at 1 o'clock in the morning on new years eve, in my kilt, with my bagpipes, when the Black Watch were stationed there. So you can imagine I came across more than a few young Scots who had had a few too many to drink. They were great. They just wanted to wish me a happy new year and for me to play them their favorite tune, which after a few too many at 1 o'clock in the morning is usually The Black Bear. They were gents.

I don't know why people think that just because we had troubles 2 or 3 centuries ago, that we don't like each other now. WE had trouble with the Germans just 60 years ago and we love them now. I lived there for six years in the military and it was the best six years of my career.

If you visit the British Isles, please don't go with preconceived ideas, or you will see what you expect. Go with an open mind and you will see it as it really is.

Sorry to ramble on.

Peter

[Kid Cossack]

I don't know why people think that just because we had troubles 2 or 3 centuries ago, that we don't like each other now.

Well said!

[gseven1]

I think the problem here is that the pipers haven't spent enough time in a network marketing company. After successfully alienating all your close friends and family......

Actually, my feeling is that we, speaking collectively, hold to tightly to our expectations. We expect people to behave in a certain way because of our preconceived notions, which may or may not be correct. Life became so much better when I dropped my expectations and just accepted people for who they were, regardless of their actions. It also gives one a better position for understanding since it helps keep negative emotion in check.