Scottish Hospitality
I know you have finished with this topic; I just heard all the
great stories, but I had to share this one: In December 1978 I
traveled from the London area where I taught in an American
school up to northern Scotland to spend Christmas with my
mother's aunt and cousins. It was my first trip to Scotland; my
mother had been dead for 8 years.
Well, I was at the railroad hotel in Edinburgh, it was 4:30 in the
afternoon and pitch dark outside. I looked out my window and
down to the street three floors below, and saw - and heard - a
Salvation Army band playing Christmas carols. I called room
service for my tea, and the woman recognized my Yankee accent.
"You're a long way from home" she said. "What are you doing here
at this time of year?"
"I've come to see my mother's people in Alness." I told her.
We chatted a few minutes while the strains of the trumpet and
carolers reached up through the window. Before long there was a
knock and the door, and I put the telephone down to see who was
there. A young man in uniform brought in a tray with a gleaming
teapot, sugar bowl and creamer , mounds of biscuits and gobs of
butter, a huge pot of jam, cold cuts, cheese and a savory relish.
I reached for my wallet and he shook his hands in front of his
face. "Nay nay!" he said, "compliments of the house, and a Happy
Christmas to ye!" I picked up the telephone and the woman in
room service said, "Now there, dear, enjoy your tea, and a happy
Christmas to you." I was never charged for that tea, and I will
never forget the kindness of my mother.
-Beverly
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