martinlittle.com

Wednesday July 26 2006 at 23:02 GMT

One of the biggest differences I notice between Glasgow/the village I'm from outside Paisley [west] and Edinburgh [east] is how much friendlier Glaswegians are. I use the various cycle- and canal-paths around Edinburgh that stretch for miles and miles, and from the numerous times I've used them, I can probably count on one hand the number of "hello"s or smiles I've got from strangers. When I ran at my parents house, which is admittedly way out of the nearest city (Paisley), every single person acknowledged me with a smile, wave or hello.

I'd come to the conclusion that it was due to me being a runner that Edinburghers didn't like to say hello, so two weeks ago when Hazel and I walked along a cycle path in the sunshine at 5pm, it was even stranger when no-one said hello or even looked at us directly!

Cut to one week later, when I met my parents for a Monday afternoon visit to Pollock Park, a country park just outside Glasgow city centre. Again, the sun was shining, people were out with their kids/dogs/friends/picnics, and every one of them at least smiled, with most remarking on the weather. When dad stopped a guy, who looked remarkably liked Bez from the Happy Mondays, to ask about the local area, he gave us the full rundown and more besides before wishing us a great afternoon.

Come on Edinburghers, find your voice and say hello ... or even smile. It won't kill you!

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Comments

Yes being born and raised in Edinburgh I agree with what you say. If you go into a pub in Glasgow alone someone will always talk to you, if you go into a pub in Edinburgh alone occasionally someone will talk to you but generally they are from Glasgow.

Andy | Wednesday July 26 at 23:07 GMT| Comment permalink

Have you ever considered that us Edinburghers just don't want to talk to you soapdodging weegies as chances are you're up to no good, casing the place for some crime to feed you buckfast or meph habit? We can smell where you are from you know.

Simon | Thursday July 27 at 09:24 GMT| Comment permalink

Andy -- that's a good point, and one I've experienced myself.

Simon -- ...

Martin Little | Thursday July 27 at 12:54 GMT | Web| Comment permalink

As the famous song goes (to the tune of "you are my sunshine")
You are a weegie a dirty weegie, your only happy on giro day. etc etc....
Must have been a benefits bonanza when you were through mate!!!

Deek | Friday July 28 at 14:27 GMT| Comment permalink

I'll definitely say hello to you if I se you. I bike home along the Water of Leith to the aqueduct and then along the canal and I sometimes say hello to people and I always at least smile to elicit a hello, especially if they have a nice dog. But yeah folks aren't that friendly and I'm from NZ, not an Edinburgher, so I don't count.

Justin | Friday August 11 at 20:00 GMT | Web| Comment permalink

I went over to Glasgow yesterday to check out the Kelvingrove museum instead of crowding into the meadows for the free festival. Nice museum, nice leafy park, nice tapas and beer at The Left Bank (which also has free wifi), but I see in the paper this morning that a body was found in the Kelvin yesterday afternoon around 3pm which isn't so nice.

Justin | Monday August 14 at 10:01 GMT | Web| Comment permalink

Justin, I'll be sure to say hi if I see you too. Given you're from NZ I'd expect Edinburghers to be more friendly to you ... so it's interesting that they're not.

Glad you had a nice time in Glasgow. Not so good about the body in the river. :-(

Martin Little | Friday August 18 at 00:12 GMT | Web| Comment permalink

I was going to chip in on this little discussion a while ago but I see I can rest easy. 'Body found in river!'. I'm sure the people that put the body in the river were very friendly. ;-)

rich lloyd | Tuesday August 22 at 07:29 GMT| Comment permalink

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