Mr Smith read with interest the exchanges between American President George Bush and new British Prime Minister Gordon Brown MP during their first joint press conference in Washington, in which Mr Bush gave an interesting insight into the stereotypes which exist about the typical Scotsman, and the fact that these don't apply to Prime Minister Brown.
In response to a question about "what's changed" with the arrival of the new British Prime Minister, Mr Bush responded "... Besides toothpaste? (Laughter.) ... He's a Scotsman, kind of a -- he's not the dour Scotsman that you described him, or the awkward Scotsman; he's actually the humorous Scotsman, the guy that -- we actually were able to relax and to share some thoughts."
Prime Minister Brown's response was: "I think your understanding, if I may say so, of Scotland was enhanced by the fact that you went to Scotland, you told me, at the age of 14, and had to sit through very long Presbyterian Church services in which you didn't understand a word of what the minister was actually saying. (Laughter.) So I think you came to a better understanding of the Scottish contribution to the United Kingdom from that."
The "special relationship" is alive and well (and Mr Smith likes the helicopter.)
In response to a question about "what's changed" with the arrival of the new British Prime Minister, Mr Bush responded "... Besides toothpaste? (Laughter.) ... He's a Scotsman, kind of a -- he's not the dour Scotsman that you described him, or the awkward Scotsman; he's actually the humorous Scotsman, the guy that -- we actually were able to relax and to share some thoughts."
Prime Minister Brown's response was: "I think your understanding, if I may say so, of Scotland was enhanced by the fact that you went to Scotland, you told me, at the age of 14, and had to sit through very long Presbyterian Church services in which you didn't understand a word of what the minister was actually saying. (Laughter.) So I think you came to a better understanding of the Scottish contribution to the United Kingdom from that."
The "special relationship" is alive and well (and Mr Smith likes the helicopter.)
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