Recently I asked a question here as follows...''Everyone went on about the cost of the Scottish Parliament. How much has Wembley stadium cost so far and when will it be finished?''
One response posted was as follows...
''Both projects were unnecessary, at least at Wembley English money is going on an English project rather then on the blood sucking leech of Scotland.''
My new question is now this. Why do so many English people get racist towards Scots, and why are we described as blood sucking leeches when in fact all of our income from oil, agriculture, fishing, tourism, whisky exportation, medical research, forestry, invention and innovation goes into British coffers?
2006-10-28 13:36:21 · 12 answers · asked by electrobuddha 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Firstly, I'm Scottish... everything from here on in opinion, so please take it as such. I'd like to generalise the issue if I may.
I think the problem of racism works both ways between Scotland and England. There are, I believe, 2 factors involved. The first is education, and the second is the media (although you might say that it is the media's failure to educate).
How many UK citizens could tell you 1) What each country in the UK contributes to the whole? or 2) What the impact would be on the UK, if any individual country seperated? I suspect the answer to this is "not many" (I can't). In school, how much education do we get about the UK and its dynamics? In my case, the answer is "not much". So what do we base our opinions on?
My best guess is: Media influence.
Now, I am unable to comment on how Scotland is represented from an English perspective, but I can do the reverse. In a sweeping generalisation, I would say that the Scottish view (or stereotype) of England represents the nation as arrogant, self-obcessed, and ill-informed about it's UK counterparts.
And the reason I say this? It's all about the UK media. Turn on any "UK" news channel, read any "UK" newspaper, and look at the representation given to each of the countries. I couldn't even tell you the last time I saw a news item in UK news about Wales (I'm not living in the UK any longer mind you).
My personal gripes normally fall under the reporting of sport in UK news broadcasts. English sport comes first, Scottish sport gets a 1 min mention at the end, and nothing is said of the Welsh or Irish leagues. Scottish sportsman does well, he's British. English sportsman does well, he's English. Scottish sportsman does badly, he's Scottish. English sportsman does badly, he's British. Don't even get me started on "British football hooligan" reports when (a minority of) England fans start kicking up a fuss.
So, to answer your question with another question - what does the average English person learn about Scotland and Scottish people on a daily basis from anglo-centric UK media outlets?
Without information, without being informed of any benefits to England brought about by the existance of the UK, is it any wonder the view of Scots as "blood sucking leeches" is so prevalent?
2006-10-28 14:19:54 · answer #1 · answered by chickentikkachasni 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
As a Scot who lived in England for many years I found the Scots are far more racist towards the English than vice versa. Now back in scotland I must agree with the West Lothian question.
2006-10-28 20:56:07 · answer #2 · answered by gill63 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
probably because the idiots who say that crap don't personally know any Scottish people & have certainly never been there. I know loads of lovely, charming, intelligent Scottish people, I love their directness, no bulls***, sense of humour & ability to have a really good laugh & drink.
What I will never understand the conflict re sporting issues where the Scottish hate England so much they would rather support ANY other team but us but I I don't think that is a good enough reason to prevent friendship/respect - if it's a tricky subject then avoid it, there are plenty of other things in life to discuss.
I don't think Scotland leeches of of England in any way & there is a hell of a lot of difference from building a new parliamant which represents a significant representation of one part of the UK than the p*** poorely managed construction of a sporting arena
2006-10-28 21:19:23 · answer #3 · answered by Mari C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my sisters BF is from England and he said that the scots and english still have some bitterness towards each other.... celt vs. germanic is what id guess. he told me that the Gaelic Scots and Anglo-Scots take their aggression out on the Glasgow Celtic vs. Ranger matches, but Remember tho, English dont like the Irish, Scots, Welsh or any Norman descendants. Another thing is Scotland as well as Ireland have HUGE percentage of red haired and/or red bearded people, gingers, and you know they get picked on regardless... Im one of those red bearded scottish americans laddy.
btw...
I'm of HUGE scottish descent...my last name is the place where the most influeuncial poet in nordic white culture wrote alot of his best work, Mauchline. BTW all whites, celtic and germanic alike should know who im refering to.
2006-10-28 20:53:35 · answer #4 · answered by Pool Of Macha 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's a shame we can't learn to live with one another. But you do have to realise that this is yahoo answers! Can you imagine any one in their right mind saying that to you in person? It wouldn't happen. The people who say that are uneducated twats having a rant on the internet because they are too much of a coward to say it out loud... why? Because they know it's a load of rubbish!
Don't let it anger you. These people know they are idiots. they aren't happy in their own lives. You know what they are saying is garbage so smile and take it in your stride and just think about how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful country!
2006-10-28 22:03:22 · answer #5 · answered by Purple 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am scottish and i have to agree that there is many scots the same way about the english, (me included) but it's down to history and upbringing and education.... it is just the way humans are we are so jealous of everything that we haven't got and its the same with countires.........
brian
2006-10-28 20:48:32 · answer #6 · answered by Mr It 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well my grand fellow, I believe that you are correct Wembley is a stinker, went to see the Stones in it and that was the best football I can remeber 11 years ago in England! indeed those agricultural tattie making English should do what there best at making turnips and selling them off a horse and cart!
your question is why do they hate us!.... because we invented everything and because we are attached as a land mass they have raped our society and caused our misdemeanour,.... long live the UK... sorry I meant yuUcK~~~!!!!
2006-10-28 20:49:15 · answer #7 · answered by fluxpattern® 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because English people consider Scots to be a bunch of skirt-wearing, r-rolling, inebriated, unshaven, no-account hooligans.
Not that you ARE, mind you, but that's the way you've been thought of for the last thousand years. It's a long-standing tradition.
That, and they forget that if it weren't for Scots, there'd be no Great Britain.
2006-10-28 20:45:42 · answer #8 · answered by Brian L 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
As long as you are a good person why let it bother you? My mother comes from London and my father comes from the Island of Mull, I was born in Perth. SO where does that leave me in the battle of who's the better.
2006-10-29 08:41:03 · answer #9 · answered by Roxy. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its not the Scots who are blood sucking leeches, its the Welsh.
2006-10-28 21:02:18 · answer #10 · answered by fizz 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋