First impressions last
Dave Broom mulls over recent world events, the stereotypes that influence first impressions and the ties that bind us all. The world to rights over a glass....
Even now itâs like a dream, the feeling youâve been sucked into a film set. Then the papers come and reality thunders in. They reinforce the old saying that one of the first victims of war is truth. The second is the simplistic demonisation of the enemy, in this case anyone who dissents or belongs to the âwrongâ religion. My thoughts are with friends in New York, people I know, the families of the victims, like the barmen, waiters and busboys of the Windows on the World restaurant. But the events of September 11th made me remember another story, giving it new resonance.
On holiday in Tunisia Iâd been coming up against a language problem all week. âWhere are you from?â Iâd be asked in French. âEcosse,â Iâd reply. Blank stare. Iâd then embark on a garbled geography lesson straining my brain for the words north, snow, haggis, trying to act out kilt and cold. It was no use.
We couldnât help noticing the table of large shaven-headed men in their late 20s behind us in a restaurant. Soon, they started talking to us â you get used to it. Curiosity as to the names, occupations, and birthplaces of strangers isnât an intrusion, itâs an extension of hospitality. Where I was from came up almost immediately. Once again, the Ecosse gambit failed. âWhisky!â I said eventually, a note of irritation creeping into my voice. It was greeted with huge smiles and backslaps. âWhisky! Scotchland! Johnnie Walker!â England conforms to normal linguistic parlanc.....
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By Dave Broom
Section : A dram with Dave Broom
Page number : 8
