I have been with my boyfriend for one year now. He is my best friend and the one person I trust with my entire life. Through the laughs, inside jokes, and a whole lot of happiness I find myself falling in love with him more and more every day, but this isn't going to be about our "love story." This is about all the things he has taught me in just the one year we've been together. Some may not know, but my boyfriend is from the beautiful country of, Scotland. Even when people meet him they automatically assume he is Irish, or sometimes English, and even sometimes people ask if he is Australian or German. That I don't quite understand, but to be fair I thought he was Irish when I first met him at our University. Since we both come from different countries and different cultures, we learn something new about one another all the time.
1. When he says that he is going to go to the pub for a few pints doesn't actually mean a "few pints."
Some people may not know, but the Scottish people know how to drink. As an American, I know that a few means three. Well, that's much different in Scotland. We would go to a pub and one beer goes by, two beers go by, now three goes by and I'm thinking we are about to go, but little did I know, that a 'few pints' meant 'a night out.'
2. Soccer is Football. Period!
Let's be honest, soccer is called football and I don't know why America decided to call it soccer, but we did. Football is very important, especially since my boyfriend has been playing since he was a toddler. Also, Celtic is the best football club ever. That is a fact.
3. I have learned how to be a translator, even though we are speaking the same language.
If you ever get the opportunity to hear a Scottish accent it's almost like hearing a different language.
A Scottish accent is so thick and in America, you really don't hear a true Scottish accent very often. So once you do, it can be very hard to understand. At first, it was extremely hard for me to understand what my boyfriend was saying. Over the year I have mastered the art of understanding the thick accent, yes it's that difficult. When I mastered it I started to notice how difficult it is for Americans to understand the Scottish accent. I began to realize that I had to translate for Americans because they truly didn't understand what my boyfriend was saying. We find it hilarious every time someone doesn't understand and I have to step in and help.
4. I have learned so much more about different cultures.
One of the best things about having a boyfriend that isn't American is that you begin to learn so many new things. You realize that everyone isn't the same as you and you begin to come out of your comfort zone. You are more open to different languages, food, and cultures. I started to realize over the past year that I've picked up on saying Scottish slang and that I have completely fallen in love with their food and way of life. The Scottish people are by far one of the most welcoming people you will ever meet. Don't believe me? Go to a pub in Scotland, because that was one of the best experiences I had while visiting. Most of the people didn't know me or had ever met me before, but they welcomed me with open arms, warm hugs, and a ton of cold beer!
5. A man in a kilt. Must I say more?
Yes, one of the things I've learned over the past year dating my incredibly adorable Scottish boyfriend; is that I now have a thing for a man in a kilt. Yes, a kilt. Some women have a thing for a man in uniform, but my butterflies get butterflies when I see him in a kilt. And trust me, ladies, if you saw a man in a kilt with a thick Scottish accent to go with it, you too would be falling head over heels.
I honestly wouldn't be the same person if I had never met my boyfriend or got to see his country and all the beautiful people and culture it has to offer. To add to that, I wouldn't be the same person if I didn't have Irn Bru in my life either! Truly, I have fallen in love with this man, his lifestyle, and his country. If you don't have a little culture in your life, "Ah
