Linda0515

I'm going to Scotland (Glasgow, Stirling, and Aberdeen) on a business trip. I'll have a little free time at each stop and I'd love to stop in some local pubs for a pint of ale and something to eat. Is this something single women do in Scotland, or will I be viewed as "loose"?

adrienne

Single women on their own are completely accepted in pubs. It's not the same as going into a bar in the States.

Dlemma

I'm a female from the US, and I was in Aberdeen on a business trip a couple of years ago. The hotel I was staying in had a nice pub, where I regularly ate dinner and had a nice pint. I felt very comfortable there. I always took along a book to read, and was never bothered.

I've been to pubs many times in London on my own - in general if I saw other women eating/drinking there (accompanied or not) I would go in and think nothing of it.

Please, go out and visit a pub or two. The beer is too good to miss!

Linda0515

Thank you both! Very reassuring...

sheila

IF this bloody thing lets me!! I'll try to give you a slightly different answer.

There are pubs and pubs. Some are OK, and some (a minority) are not. A hotel bar is not a pub, and hotel bars should be fine. Lots of pubs are also fine, but I can think of a dozen or so in Aberdeen that I wouldn't go into, mobbed up, never mind on my own.(and I am no shrinking violet) In Glasgow, more so.

If you know where you'll be staying in Aberdeen I can point you in the direction of some good ones that you might like to try. Anywhere near a University will be OK, as a rule of thumb; and if the food's worth eating the place will be OK.

This is not something to worry about. You'll know (believe me) as soon as you stick your nose round the door. Just leave if you stumble into the wrong sort of place.

ira

Hi Linda,

Just remember that "NO" in Scottish is "NAY".

SiobhanP

I have to agree with Sheila. Some pubs for example I would go to lunch in by myself during the work week. Also if I am early and waiting for a friend I would also go in and read the paper and have a drink. Others places are more like "bars" at in the U.S. and it would not be comfortable to be by myself having a drink or food without a small bit of hassle. As Sheila states you will know when you pop your head round the door.

Also don't make the mistake of thinking people are just being friendly. Most people are but use the same instinct as you do at home.

sheila

No it's not (she said, in a slightly agrravated tone)

It's NO if it's the answer to a question "Is your name Fiona?" Answer "no"

It's "nae" (not nay) if it's an adjective viz:- "do you want to come to the pub with me" answer "Nae wye".

If you don't speak a foreighn language, don't try. Thanks to MTM everyone here speaks American

Ira, give back that copy of "Brigadoon" to the video shop and get yourself a copy of "Trainspotter"

adrienne

In thinking about Sheila's and Siobhan's responses I think I automatically check out a pub (or restaurant) before I do in and sit down; I just hadn't thought about doing so before. You do know immediately if it's the type of place you want to go into. Thanks for putting it so succintly.

By the way Siobhan - how do you pronounce your name?

SiobhanP

It's Irish. My real name has been taken so I resorted to another name of mine. Its pronounced:
Shih Vaughn
Or Shove On!

There is no V in the Irish alphabet so two letters are put together (bh) to make the sound.

adrienne

What a nice name! I never would have guessed how to say it from the spelling - thanks for the Irish lesson. I've come across the name Siobhan in novels and have always slurred over the character's name. Now I can mend my evil ways!

SiobhanP

It's the equivalent of my name in Irish. My mother was discouraged to give us Irish names and I ended up with the most common name the year I was born in the U.S....thank god it's not so common in Ireland now!

I can imagine how people would pronounce Siobhan (Sigh oh bahn!)if they did not know. I think this is what my mother was avoiding

adrienne

I did know that the "si" is pronounced "sh" probably because of the name Sean. But that "bh" I never would have figured out.

Now I'm intrigued - what is your name?

SiobhanP

I cant give it away...its a very common name in America the year I was born. I was always stuck with 2-3 gals in my classes with the same name. It's not an Irish name but my granny had the same name...guess!

Judi

Google can answer almost everything, right, J?

Linda, I hope you have a great time in Scotland.

Sylvia

Sheila, my husband has never seen Brigadoon. That's probably just as well because I wouldn't want him to suffer a stroke!
I think I'd place those "Scottish" accents even above Dick van Wotsisface's "Cockney" one!

sheila

Sylvia! I'm shocked! You're married to Ira?? How did I miss that?

Actually the worst ever was a movie called "Wee Geordie". It's my tip for today- avoid at all costs.

SiobhanP

Sheila, my favourite worst movie is Darby O'Gill and the little people. Sean Connery stars with the most brutal Irish accent I have heard and...he even sings in the movie (slightly better than the accent). It has to be seen to be believed. He was absolutely georgeous wilth all of his black hair!