When it comes to defining our sense of self the first place we start is our native land. For those like myself, who have been born in one country and raised in another, this becomes tricky. I hail from bonnie Glasgow, but was raised in charming Sandbach, Cheshire; half of me fancies tucking into a nice steak dinner at Grill on the Edge whereas the other half longs to stuff her face with a grease-sodden deep fried mars bar. Tricky indeed.
Growing up I have always suffered taunts from mis-informed people that I am “posh.” This is very much to the anger of the Rab C Nesbitt-esque character sitting on one shoulder howling “I’m not effin’ posh aye? I’m from Glasgee!” On the other shoulder sits a WAG, fake tanned to within an inch of her life, fretting that her fake nails are not quite as square-tipped as she would like. She is not too pleased about the proximity of Rab C Nesbitt and is Blackberry-ing her personal security squad so they can secure her safe return to her Alderley Edge mansion. My real sense of self lurks somewhere in between these two extremes and trying to determine where I truly belong has always been troublesome. Throughout my early years I developed a deep jealousy for my cousins’ lovely Glaswegian accents, having lost mine years ago to the Cheshire tone. I longed for that accent; a link anchoring me firmly to my homeland. It occasionally pops back randomly within normal conversations but my friends point in the direction of the lavatory when I “wee” and say bless you when I “dreich.” “Aye” is understood; we have Ali G to thank for that. InGlasgow my 90 year old Gran struggles to understand my English accent when, back at home, I am told I annunciate like an air hostess. Try to figure that one out, answers on a postcard please.
Both of my towns are famed for their fantastic sites and historical value.Glasgowis a city of culture, history, arts, incredible beauty and intellectual value. Sandbach has…..the ‘Saxon Crosses’ (pictured below.) No-one has quite yet figured out what their purpose is yet but we are bloody proud of them. We are proud of all our traditions, including the annual Transport Festival. Who says you only find culture in the city?
So I have had to accept my sense of self will always feel like two mismatched jigsaw pizzas. Two complete opposites, two absolute extremes of difference. Well, it’s better than being boring.
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