When I talk cynical it does not go down too well. It is met with shuffling-in-the-seat disapproval and a quick change of topic. This is surprising given that the Scots are very cynical people. But it struck me recently that though that is the case they don't so much talk cynical, they simply act it.

Cynicism is so deeply embedded in the fabric of the Scottish mentality that it forms the basis of its every action. Scots are so entrenched in the cynical that they hardly know it. As such they don't think it or speak it anything like as much as they act it. So when I pipe up and voice this I am really busting a taboo. That is why it meets with resistance. People don't like their taboos being interfered with.

I would call myself a cynical person now. But although I think cynical and put voice to it I don't so much act it. My actions are relatively uncynical compared to the average Scot. It is yet another thing that pisses me off about living here. The Scots benefit from cynical behaviour without having to deal with awareness of the fact. They can thus be less responsible just as they are in so many other ways.