Glaswegians To Get Mickey Mouse Lessons, Charm school for Commonwealth Games Options

[mlconnelly]

This is all true but do you honestly think the people who are interviewing applicants for jobs are going to give them to someone who speaks like a ned. I dont thinks so, so therefore the lessons on how to meet and greet are totally irrelevant. If the right people are employed for the job then our visitors will receive a right warm welcome regardless of our accent. Mary

[elaine24]

Business in Glasgow/Scotland is telling us that candidates presented for inerview are unemployable. In the service industry - particularly hospitality, eye contact and customer first skills are mandatory. We cannot get enough native young people with these skills. Surely anything that projects Glasgow and its population in a positive light is to be recommended. We want the world as well as the commonwealth to see us as a progressive city with a fantastic and talented workforce.
Also dont forget we have the Ryder cup in 2014 at Gleneagles. Big year for Scotland - lets showcase what we have here in our amazing country.

[elaine24]

Well said Isobel.

I too was the product of a housing scheme - but was taught to speak clearly and appropriately. ie there was perhaps the 'slang' we spoke in the playground (and I dont mean offensive words - just colloquilisms) and the lanquage we used in the classroom etc. What I am saying is that we knew which was correct and acceptable in which situation - because we were schooled by our parents and teachers. I am a proud Scot with an accent - probably softened by years overseas and in different parts of UK -but have live the majority of my life in Scotland and sometimes when I am in Glasgow, cannot understand what is being said! eg in the car was I had to ask 5 times what the chap was saying (no he was not Polish) and he was asking me if I wanted my wheels washed! This goes back to my previous post about unemployable youth - I mean if they cannot make themselves understood!! I am not confusing this with braw Scots and our traditional Scots words and dialect which we should always try to keep and be proud of.

[Elma]

I was raised in a housing scheme (Ruchazie) All our neighbours were working class folks like our selves.We had a Glasgow accent ,however it did not include,breed,naw,canny,waz, hoose ,I think you get the picture.

Last visit home I was blown away with the slang I was hearing in the city. Its sad really because Glasgow folks are friendly folks ,but many of the young ones have been brought up listing to all this slang and don't know any better.

Perhaps a few lessons at the primary level in school would help.Maybe a refresher at high school.You can have a nice Glasgow accent and still speak proper English.

Well said Isobel, after 40+ years in Canada I think I still have a Scots accent but I do not and never have spoken in a Glasgow or Scottish dialect. I use normal, Queen's english words and have had no problem being undertood anywhere in the world and I too, find it very difficult to read posts written in a Glasgow dialect.

[helen wallace]

What a cheek, and lessons in Ediburgh only adds insult to injury. Glasgow is known as the friendly city, the language of friendship is universal.

[Heather]

A one day Training Event will not change a Glasgow accent, but those attending the Course might be advised not to use glesga slang and slow down when speaking as we Scots are inclined to speak quick fast which makes it difficult for foreigners to understand what we are saying.

Like Isobel, I was never allowed to use glesga slang at home, our dad always corrected us and told us to speak properly.
No I don't have a posh voice as I grew up in the Cowcaddens & Barlanark, but would never think to call bread- bried, house-hoose or food- grub, but I do have a habit of saying, 'aye right' when agreeing or kidding with someone.

Our dad also grew up in the Cowcaddens and Hamiltonhill, so he did not have a posh voice either.

[GG]

One thing that occurred to me, and which the quango bosses in Edinburgh or Glasgow probably have not considered, is the amount of non-Glaswegians who now work in the customer-facing service industries in Glasgow, especially tourism-related. I was in Frankie and Benny's at the Fort last week, and almost all the waiting, serving and cooking staff were (I assume) Polish. Only the manager was not east European.

The Fort is located in Easterhouse, an area with huge youth unemployment problems, so there is no lack of potential staff living locally.

GG.

[john.mcn]

But GG, are the local youth willing to work at Franky and Benny's ?

[Doug1]

So many of you are missing the point. This isn't just about word choice or accent. It's about image. And there's nothing at all wrong with seeking improvement.

[Doug1]

But GG, are the local youth willing to work at Franky and Benny's ?

Probably not john and thats why the east Europeans get the jobs

[wee davy]

'Charm School fer wegians' - aye right!

I have to admit, I deliberately stayed out of this thread - knowing where it might lead.
As one of the 'guilty party' who oft use wegian parlez, I thought better of it.

Let me make it clear, I do it for no other reason than to provide some light heartedness to somewhat straight laced discussion. Also to 'trigger' dialect which has otherwise remained dormant, since leaving Glasgow in 1969.

I think the child in me, (still) likes to relate to fellow Glawegians. Therefore I will continue to use the language of 'the dunny' and the 'midden', with a genuine pride.

Dae ye get a free Mickey Mouse costume, wie this course?
If so - sign me up NOO!
In fact, I'll even DELIVER IT fur ye's LOL

wee davy

[*Guest*]

I have travelled the world and now live in Canada and no matter where I went my Scottish accent was loved and I am and always will be a Glaswegian.

[JAGZ1876]

I think the child in me, (still) likes to relate to fellow Glawegians. Therefore I will continue to use the language of 'the dunny' and the 'midden', with a genuine pride.

Gaun yersel wee man

[droschke7]

It does seem that we do tend to talk to fast, in fact when I learnt German the Germans asked me to slow down as I was talking to fast.

[Scotsman]

So they are going to spend a quarter of a million quid on these lessons.... plus add in the same again in the fact that those public employees who attend will not be doing their jobs.... and all of a sudden you have a half million being spent on this nonsense that they will probably forget within a couple of days.

Now.... if you were to think about what kind of things visitors to the city actually do get upset and annoyed about does anyone really think it is the Glaswegian accent or a wee bit of patter?? No!! What really annoys tourists and everyone else is the state of the place.... spend that half million quid on cleaning the city centre up and making it more presentable and that will be far better than wasting money on some daft lessons. Outisde the Central Station would be a good place to start!!