Winning Friends and Influencing People
I witnessed two separate examples of bizarre behaviour in Glasgow city centre yesterday from supporters of the AUOB (All Under One Banner) march for Scottish independence.
The first involved some young men in their twenties who shouted over to a group of drinkers/smokers minding there own business outside a pub in West George Street:
"Have you heard of Scottish independence - how come you're not on the march?"
The question was clearly regarded as none too friendly and, unsurprisingly, the marchers were simply ignored by the pub goers.
Half an hour or so later, on the High Street, two young teenage girls challenged a chap (who was walking in the opposite direction from them) with the question:
"Did you vote Yes in the last independence referendum".
"Yes", came his answer without hesitation.
"Would you vote Yes again?"
"No", the man (in his 50s) replied.
"How no?", his inquisitors demanded before leaving the scene and without any effort to engage with a potentially valuable supporter.
Turned out the chap was from Govanhill and his very reasonably held view is that there are many more important challenges facing the country than another independence referendum.
But I can confirm that he was very surprised and irritated to be spoken to in such a rude, unfriendly fashion.
