Jeremy Paxman got himself into trouble with a subset of Scottish society a while back for referring to Burns' poetry as "sentimental doggerel". I would have used the phrase "sentimental shite", but it amounts to the same thing. There are many things I love about this country and some things I hate: that poster sums up much of what I hate. Not too keen on the weather either. I also hate Mondays, but not just Scottish ones...
Let Glasgow Flourish
5 days ago
As you know, I'm not wild about Burns either. I do like this photo though x
ReplyDeleteSpent my youth in Ayr being harrassed by American tourists who wanted picures of kids in school uniform next to one Burns icon or another. It was bad enough when the Americans did it, but now it seems as though we are adopting him as a symbol of national identity. It's all bollocks.
ReplyDeleteHm, yes, I see what you mean, but are you allowed to say this sort of thing in Scotland??!!! It's funny that he seems to be being used as an advert for a bus company. We have a similar thing in Pézenas, where Molière once spent a few weeks and it's never been forgotten! I never liked Burns, but didn't dare say it when he was part of my English (!) lit. degree!
ReplyDeleteAs a Geordie (aka Scotsman with his heed bashed in!) I am afraid that could never understand the attraction of Burns.
ReplyDeleteAs is so often, he is now just a handle for the Tourist Board people to hang things on!
I'm with friends! You know when you think 'Am I missing something?'....then you think 'nah, don't think so!', well that's me and Rabbie......I like haggis though!
ReplyDelete