Scots eat junk food, are dangerous and difficult to understand, claims American travel writer - The Daily Record

Scots eat junk food, are dangerous and difficult to understand, claims American travel writer

Dec 7 2009 By David Taylor

A TRAVEL guide to Scotland has been blasted for suggesting residents eat too many takeaways, are violent and are difficult to understand.

Scotland For Dummies was written by a journalist from America - one of the most obese and violent nations in the world.

The book describes Scotland as "an administrative region within Great Britain" and warns would-be visitors to be on their guard.

Author Barry Shelby tells readers that, although Scots speak English, visitors may be unable to understand different accents.

He says: "With the local expressions, heavy accents and thick burr, it can occasionally sound like a foreign language.

"Even Scots from one region of the nation don't know what someone from another is saying. Ask those you don't understand to repeat themselves or to slow down."

In another of Shelby's guides, Frommer's Edinburgh And Glasgow, he says: "Like most big cities in the western world, Edinburgh and Glasgow have their share of crime.

"Knives present a problem, and fights can flare up unexpectedly, particularly in Glasgow during heated football matches."

And he advises visitors to claim allegiance to Partick Thistle to avoid trouble if challenged by a Glaswegian over who they support.

The book, intended for first-time visitors, is part of a series which has sold millions of copies worldwide.

It also dismisses Aberdeen and Inverness as "lacking in attractions".

Speaking about Scottish cuisine, Shelby adds: "Most of the population still seem to subsist on takeaway fish and chips."

Culture minister Fiona Hyslop said the guide was guilty of "sweeping generalisations and stereotypes".

But Shelby, who has lived in Scotland for more than 12 years and now lives as a crofter and freelance journalist on the Isle of Lewis, defended his book.

He said: "I'm a naturalised Brit and an adopted Scot, so it was certainly not my intention to offend anyone."

via dailyrecord.co.uk

A TRAVEL guide to America has been blasted for suggesting residents eat too many takeaways, are violent and are difficult to understand.
America For Dummies was written by a journalist from America - one of the most obese and violent nations in the world.
The book warns would-be visitors to be on their guard.
Author Barry Shelby tells readers that, although Americans speak English, visitors may be unable to understand different accents.
He says: "With the local expressions, heavy accents and thick burr, it can occasionally sound like a foreign language.
"Even Americans from one region of the nation don't know what someone from another is saying. Ask those you don't understand to repeat themselves or to slow down."
In another of Shelby's guides, Frommer's Edinburgh And Glasgow, he says: "Like most big cities in the western world, New York and Los Angeles have their share of crime.
"Guns present a problem, and fights can flare up unexpectedly, particularly during heated drug deals."
And he advises visitors to claim allegiance to God to avoid trouble if challenged by a Glaswegian over who they support.
The book, intended for first-time visitors, is part of a series which has sold millions of copies worldwide.
It also dismisses Houston and Omaha as "lacking in attractions".
Speaking about American cuisine, Shelby adds: "Most of the population still seem to subsist on takeaway pizza."
Culture minister Homer Simpson said the guide was guilty of "sweeping generalisations and stereotypes".
But Shelby, who has lived in Tennessee for more than 12 years and now lives as a cocaine addict and freelance crack cocaine producer , defended his book.
He said: "I'm a naturalised Yank and so it was certainly not my intention to offend anyone."

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