The Kilt Kops

[Taygrd]

When I was a child my Grandmother had a family friend come over to do minor repairs about the house. The man was not big in stature, however his presence always scared me. He was gruff, never smiled, rarely spoke, and carried a permenant scowl upon his face. When I asked my Grandmother about him she said not to worry he was "just from Wick." I did not understand this until I was a little older and my Grandmother explained to me the Scot's temperament. Another Scot, Mr. Morrison, described it as this:
"the thistle ....has a number of characteristics that are reminiscent of the Scottish temperament. It is prickly, persistent, wanders far afield, quietly moves in and takes over, and is considered by many to be a bloody nuisance. Yet, hidden behind its gruff exterior, is a kinder heart. "
This temperament has served the Scottish people well over the centuries and is still very much present today, it even shows up on this forum now and then. If we cannot accept each other for what we are, then all the smiley face icons and "geez you're a swell guy" is just fluff.