Your new local habits in Scotland

Hello Priscilla,

From my experience in the past (almost) 6 years here in Scotland, I would say that I am excited more and more about the customs of Scottish people and the way they see me as part of their community. Through my everyday interactions with the locals and my colleagues at work (some of whom are not Scottish but never mind that!), I get to realise how much all people are alike, and how only the place we were born at, our mother language and the way we were brought up differ us. Anyhow, I am now a perpetual consumer of White Tea and in the mornings, I do like to have a Full Scottish breakfast (psst, the best haggis I've ever tried is in the Northern parts of Scotland (Inverness-shire) - must visit and try!)

Since I've started living in Scotland, I notice how much more independent I have become, making serious decisions about my life and finding out ways in which I want to develop my lifestyle. Another aspect that has changed me is that I am eager to have more and more responsibilities, to help the community here as much as I can.

Living here can change anybody who's up for a bit of challenge. I have turned from a teenage girl into a grown woman, only by realising and learning from the difference between the customs in my own country and the ones here in Scotland. My life is now more organised, really.

Scottish people do surprise me, every day! Some are nice, others not so much (like others, too). However, it seems as if people in Scotland would never seize to get excited about foreign cultures and customs. Most Scots are positive, really chatty and cheerful! That's really amazing! And I have made some good friends here, too.

As of the language, hell yeah! "Fit like?" is the most common expression here, meaning "How are you?".  I did learn some expressions throughout the years and I am proud to announce that some people comment on my accent that it sounds a bit Scottish. Ha ha!

Something that I am really struggling with, though, is getting a professional doctor's advise - the GP's doesn't cut it, unfortunately! Whenever I have a problem, the only solution that the GP would give me is this - "take paracetamol and ibuprofen and it will go away". This is definitely not how it should be done. When a person is aching and curling up from pain (or not being able to move from such), that means they need to be given care and also to run full tests (microbiological, cells, hormones, blood etc.). Hopefully this will change.

And my last point...but not the least important, of course. There are a lot of people who abuse alcohol and drugs. However, there is also lots of publishing for solicited help - thus anybody who is struggling with such issues would know where and who to turn to. After all, we are here to make each other better individuals and we should embrace this with full force.

That is all from me for now, I hope this will open up a discussion and people will give more opinions from their experience in Scotland.

Thank you and write again!

Dear Tanya:

I am also very concerned about the doctor problem. Both my husband and I have medical issues. In your case, and this is coming from someone probably old enough to be your mother, have you done any research on-line? I don't know where you grew up but if you didn't grow up with socialized medicine you may not understand how it works. A doctor gets paid per patient seen. The more people he sees in a day the more the pay. First get a GP recommended by a trusted friend or co-worker (even one that has had medical issues) Maybe a woman would be best. Then go to that appointment with all your questions.  Also ask if they think you need a specialist (especially if tests get done). Be prepared to wait for this appointment. If all this fails or you are having one of these attacks go to an ER (I know they call them something else in Britan) From my perspective if it is "women issues" there can be a lot done. If that has been ruled out you have to look at digestive organs. Keep tract of what you are eating. These would require a specialist and further tests. Good luck my dear.

Megan

I would love to hear from others and their experiences with the medical system.