angusmacinnes
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National Characteristics
National Characteristics
There are many pessimists among us who will insist that in the fast moving, globalized, internet-world of today all things are becoming unified, and that all races are becoming standardized into a kind of gray and drab uniformity. They will tell you that even if there did exist in an earlier day certain qualities and attributes which were accepted as typically Scottish or Spanish or Native American or any other cultural minority, they have long been eroded by the evolutionary tide and global capitalism. We are asked to accept the hard fact that all traces of these traditional and distinctive marks of the Scots, and others, have now been lost and forgotten, and that nothing can wile them back. It is an old story.
More than a century ago, my forefathers were lamenting that the peculiar features of Scottish ways and customs were daily melting and dissolving into those of her sister and ally, England. Scotland, they declared, was losing much of the pungent wit and dry humor of sayings in her native dialect. Only the slighter shades of national characteristics remained, and Scottish life was becoming every year less and less distinguished from the rest of the world. If, on reflecting upon the effects of enlarged connections with " England and the Rest of The World " my forefathers could feel so disturbed, I wonder what they would have to say today if they could return to find themselves confronted with the unending " noise "of radio, cable and satellite television and the prolific internet. Imagine their alarm if they could have foreseen that in Scotland's largest city, Edinburgh, or on the remotest Scottish Hebridean Isle, the Scot would read, hear, and see what was being read and heard and seen in Paris or Pittsburgh, Sydney or Seattle; or if they would have thought it credible that Scots today would communicate twenty-four hours a day with folks from all over the world at the speed of light.
Well, it's " good to dread the worst, " as the old Scots saying goes, " for the best will be all the more welcome." But fears are often liars, though no Scot would deny that there have been changes in the domestic and social life of Scotland as elsewhere. But the physical conditions of the country and her unique history of unremitting struggle, have, for good or bad, left their settled marks.
Nature has been a stern foster-mother. But the adversity of climate, physical geography and history has had its compensations, and it is almost inevitable that there should remain enduring lines on the spirit of each succeeding race of Scots. The examples of national humour in this presentation should prove that there remains a distinct Scottish character with a well-developed, though often dry, sense of humor.
A race unconquered, by her climate made bold.
The Scot has never been very servile or " supple at the knee ", and it has I always been one of his striking characteristics to regard independence as the first of earthly blessings. His love of liberty has never been subdued. The past has taught him to stand firmly on his own legs and to look the world steadily in the eye. He has " a very good conceit of himself " and is quick to resent rebuke or even the mildest criticism.
But first, the most asked question:
"Is anything worn under your kilt?" to which the reply is,
"No. Everything is in perfect working order."
It is said that all Scots have a sense of humor
- because it is a free gift !
--- 
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6/19/2009, 15:19
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