Post by Waverley on May 23, 2012 12:02:02 GMT 1
Leading on from where our Beth is feeling with the pangs of home sickness out in South Africa I would like to know how the rest of you feel re ex-patriots.
I will pick and choose my words very carefully here as I know I once caused a real stooshy on another site several years ago when I raised the subject about Scots who live abroad...it widnae be liked me to be controversial noo wid it
For me there are two kind of ex-patriots. There are those who through necessity or economic reasons decided to uproot their sticks and plant them somewhere faraway from the place of their birth. Others simply do it through choice, the choice being they want to get as faraway as feckin possible from the area they were raised or simply to get as faraway as possible from their family. There is also an exception to the rule on here like our Amethyst who simply emigrated for LOVE.
I have many friends and relatives dotted all over the world on the map which was once painted pink and on which the sun never set. They come in all shapes and forms and some colourful characters amongst them who could be described quite simply as 'Jocks On The Run' who had no other option than to leave Glasgow or take up residency in 'the Big Hoose' at Riddrie. ;D
What I cannot get into my napper is how so many of my former acquaintances when growing up always criticised anyone or anything which smacked of 'Scottishness' i.e. St.Andrew's Day, Burns's Night, Glesga life or even attending the fitba on a regular basis. In fact they seemed to classify any signs or compassion of Scottishness as 'a thing the feckin teutchters dae' but certainly not them or theirs..
So I now laugh when I see them posting photos on sites such as this with their 'see you Jimmy bunnetsand wigs' , cheap Paki kilts fae Aldi's, Glesga Street scenes and paintings adorning their house walls and all of a sudden they are the biggest Tim or Billy on God's earth and how much they miss the Gers or the Celts.
What is it that brings this sudden rush of 'tartan mania ' intae their heids once they cross the equator.? If only I knew I'd market it and sell it in cans and become the richest Jock on Earth!
Up until a few years ago I had a great ambition to travel and see a wee bit of the world before I popped my clogs and moved on to that big mhanky tenement in the sky but the notion has went off me in recent months. Travel broadens the mind as they say but to go and live in another country without fully knowing or trying what is available in your own country seem hypocritical to me - but there again that is only my opinion.
I once had a friend who moved to South Africa and they were really at ease with the apartheid system which operated there at the time. You need to bear in mind these two were a couple of 'numpties fae Barrafield' who all of a sudden thought they were the 'chosen few' and the Great White Hope.
Now we are faced with the decision in the next few years to decide whether we wish to remain as part of the Union or vote for an Independent Scotland. Me personally would seriously think about migrating to England or elsewhere if Independence ever becomes a reality as I believe that not only do the majority of these 'tartan taliban' bampots hate the English they hate us 'Glesga Keelies' even more. Unless Glesga can muster up some decent politicians and councillors of true skill and polical greatness the future for this city under a Nationalist city is grim.
Strange how the Egyptians in Scotland will allowed a vote in their first ever National Elections this week and also the right to vote in a Indepence For Scotland Referendum but Scotls living in England will be denied this self same right to vote in 2014.
Poor Beth is undecided as whether to come hame or go to Australia to see her family. Sadly Beth the Glesga that you used to know is no longer and me personally would opt for the family option any time...keep your memories of Glesga sweet and in your heart but keep your family closer.
I know how you feel hen and my heart goes out to you. I am in still in a quandery as to whether or not to sell my house and move back to Parkheid. My wife used to say 'you only sleep in Riddrie, but live in Parkheid'. Never a truer word was said, but do you know whit Beth I am staying up here amongst 'the Toffs of Riddrie' rather than letting my heart rule ma heid.
I will pick and choose my words very carefully here as I know I once caused a real stooshy on another site several years ago when I raised the subject about Scots who live abroad...it widnae be liked me to be controversial noo wid it
For me there are two kind of ex-patriots. There are those who through necessity or economic reasons decided to uproot their sticks and plant them somewhere faraway from the place of their birth. Others simply do it through choice, the choice being they want to get as faraway as feckin possible from the area they were raised or simply to get as faraway as possible from their family. There is also an exception to the rule on here like our Amethyst who simply emigrated for LOVE.
I have many friends and relatives dotted all over the world on the map which was once painted pink and on which the sun never set. They come in all shapes and forms and some colourful characters amongst them who could be described quite simply as 'Jocks On The Run' who had no other option than to leave Glasgow or take up residency in 'the Big Hoose' at Riddrie. ;D
What I cannot get into my napper is how so many of my former acquaintances when growing up always criticised anyone or anything which smacked of 'Scottishness' i.e. St.Andrew's Day, Burns's Night, Glesga life or even attending the fitba on a regular basis. In fact they seemed to classify any signs or compassion of Scottishness as 'a thing the feckin teutchters dae' but certainly not them or theirs..
So I now laugh when I see them posting photos on sites such as this with their 'see you Jimmy bunnetsand wigs' , cheap Paki kilts fae Aldi's, Glesga Street scenes and paintings adorning their house walls and all of a sudden they are the biggest Tim or Billy on God's earth and how much they miss the Gers or the Celts.
What is it that brings this sudden rush of 'tartan mania ' intae their heids once they cross the equator.? If only I knew I'd market it and sell it in cans and become the richest Jock on Earth!
Up until a few years ago I had a great ambition to travel and see a wee bit of the world before I popped my clogs and moved on to that big mhanky tenement in the sky but the notion has went off me in recent months. Travel broadens the mind as they say but to go and live in another country without fully knowing or trying what is available in your own country seem hypocritical to me - but there again that is only my opinion.
I once had a friend who moved to South Africa and they were really at ease with the apartheid system which operated there at the time. You need to bear in mind these two were a couple of 'numpties fae Barrafield' who all of a sudden thought they were the 'chosen few' and the Great White Hope.
Now we are faced with the decision in the next few years to decide whether we wish to remain as part of the Union or vote for an Independent Scotland. Me personally would seriously think about migrating to England or elsewhere if Independence ever becomes a reality as I believe that not only do the majority of these 'tartan taliban' bampots hate the English they hate us 'Glesga Keelies' even more. Unless Glesga can muster up some decent politicians and councillors of true skill and polical greatness the future for this city under a Nationalist city is grim.
Strange how the Egyptians in Scotland will allowed a vote in their first ever National Elections this week and also the right to vote in a Indepence For Scotland Referendum but Scotls living in England will be denied this self same right to vote in 2014.
Poor Beth is undecided as whether to come hame or go to Australia to see her family. Sadly Beth the Glesga that you used to know is no longer and me personally would opt for the family option any time...keep your memories of Glesga sweet and in your heart but keep your family closer.
I know how you feel hen and my heart goes out to you. I am in still in a quandery as to whether or not to sell my house and move back to Parkheid. My wife used to say 'you only sleep in Riddrie, but live in Parkheid'. Never a truer word was said, but do you know whit Beth I am staying up here amongst 'the Toffs of Riddrie' rather than letting my heart rule ma heid.