The World Cup Runneth Over
Paris is teeming with Scots, and I think they're all on our block. Gregg went to Franprix (the grocery store), where these three lads and a bunch of their countrymen packed the place.
(I wouldn't go there anytime soon expecting to find even a drop of alcohol left on the shelves.)
Gregg literally ran a gauntlet of Scotsmen on his way there. On his way back, he said, some were even laying down in the street, blocking the buses.
Gregg asked how they all got to Paris, and a kid -- a young, apple-cheeked blond in a kilt -- rapidfired, "We got here by train, by plane, and by automobile. Some of us kayaked, some of us swam, and some of us walked."
One guy projected that there would be 12,000 Scotsmen here by Wednesday night; a lot of them by the Eiffel Tower.
Gregg said:
It's like there are drunken male locusts sucking up all the beer in town, and if they get desperate enough, drinking the wine.But, it's not like they're annoying. It's just amazing that they have this permanent sense of celebration. It's not like somebody who paints their face blue on Sunday for a Dallas Cowboys game in hopes that the camera moves in on them.
These guys have this singular passion. They're laying down in front of buses, they don't care...the way locusts rub their little feet together, these guys scream at the top of their lungs every song they've learned.
It's 20 to midnight right now, and they're still out there, and the cops just stay away.
We don't read anymore about your stray luggage..
Does this mean that Air France finally caught up with you ?
Alain Q. at September 11, 2007 12:35 AM
Oui...I think I posted it in the comments on that post. But, the post did make Lexis-Nexis, which pleases me to no end. Companies ought not to get away with such a lack of concern for their customers without having that be known.
Amy Alkon at September 11, 2007 12:48 AM
Companies ought not to get away with such a lack of concern for their customers without having that be known.
Aye, that's the truth of it! And thanks for all the pics of men in kilts! Aye, it's a fine thing to wake up to, a man in a kilt...*sighs wistfully*
Flynne at September 11, 2007 5:32 AM
"It's 20 to midnight right now, and they're still out there, and the cops just stay away."
To me, that last bit the key to the whole post...not only are people having a fucking blast but they're not getting gassed in the streets and shot w/ rubber BBs for being loud 'n drunk in public. You just can't do that here in the U.S. and I really begrudge this country for that. Open containers in public like the kilt/boot wearing ladies? Only if you want to spend the night locked up. Forget open containers - you can get arrested for merely being intoxicated in public.
What is your take, Amy, on the more laid back police behavior? Do the people seem to be in great danger of harming themselves or others because they're all hammered? Or does it merely seem like a fun place to be if you're a fan?
Gretchen at September 11, 2007 5:33 AM
Why is Paris full of Scotsmen? (she asked knowing the question is sports related, perhaps soccer...)
Chrissy at September 11, 2007 5:54 AM
Heathens and hooligans,
Go on and get the hell out of here!
Bother someone else for a while.
Brother I could use a beer!
I don't need you and I don't need this.
I want to make this perfectly clear!
Listen up, heathens and hooligans.
Go on and get the hell out of here!
(Chorus to the song "Heathens and Hooligans" by an excellent band called Sol Dog)
Flynne at September 11, 2007 6:09 AM
What is your take, Amy, on the more laid back police behavior?
Well, all I know is what I observe from passing the revelers and from the apartment: I hear faint singing from the pub down the block late at night, but there seems to be no violence or hooliganism. Is this because they're Scots, or Scots in France, or because the police aren't hassling them? I really can't say.
Amy Alkon at September 11, 2007 6:28 AM
Those kilts look comfortable, and manly dammit. Amy, can you ask one of these merry revelers where a yank can get something suitable for mowing the lawn on Saturdays? My research to date turns up nothing but high-end formal wear and my attendance at the next Royal Wedding looks dubious.
Also, if you see those two bonnie lasses again, tell them martin leers lasciviously.
martin at September 11, 2007 6:37 AM
Actually, Gregg says the police have now put up barricades on the street to redirect the buses. It seems they realize people will be gathering and celebrating and they work with them.
Amy Alkon at September 11, 2007 6:48 AM
"It seems they realize people will be gathering and celebrating and they work with them."
...instead of putting them in jail and beating up on them? Whodathunk it?
Gretchen at September 11, 2007 7:14 AM
Hilariously, they're still there, out in the street, and they only seem to know about five songs.
1. Give peace a chance
2. Doe a deer
3. When the saints go marching in
4/5. A couple of Scottish anthems
They seem to be growing in number, and awaiting Mel Gibson's appearance in blue face paint.
P.S. I think men look darling in kilts.
Amy Alkon at September 11, 2007 8:03 AM
Sexy, even.
Amy Alkon at September 11, 2007 8:04 AM
Why is Paris full of Scotsmen? (she asked knowing the question is sports related, perhaps soccer...)
Rugby World Cup en Paris.
The Mad Hungarian at September 11, 2007 8:27 AM
Fek Aye! A fun time for all involved. The reason for everything good is the Kilt, it IS a permanent celebration. As a long time Nevada Kilt wearer, I can tell you except for work (Mid School Principal) I rarely wear anything but one of my kilts. The Scots and most Europeans have that community party thing down right. 8 years ago, my band was in Perth for the Games and after the competition we went to a local pub, with every other Pipe Band and friends. The party spilled out into two streets and slowed traffic to a crawl. A cop car started to make its way through the crowd and one of the guys slammed his fist down on the roof. The cop stopped, rolled down his window and asked what was up, the guy then asked when the cop got off duty and was he going to join the party. The cop answered and drove off. I really wish such could happen here, more community.
Piper at September 11, 2007 8:34 AM
Lawn mowing kilts:
http://www.utilikilts.com/
Piper at September 11, 2007 9:18 AM
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/
More options and places to ask advice. I sold UKs at events and LOVE my Leather, but some of these are better made.
Piper at September 11, 2007 9:25 AM
Men in Kilts:
http://www.fortunecity.com/bally/tallow/51/index.html
O_O
Flynne at September 11, 2007 9:30 AM
Mmmmm, I just love a man in a kilt. Thanks for making my morning, Amy.
Rebecca at September 11, 2007 9:41 AM
For those who haven't heard it, lyrics to The Scotsman:
http://www.thebards.net/music/lyrics/The_Scotsman.shtml
DaveG at September 11, 2007 10:52 AM
Blonde in aqua, top photo, center field.
Crid at September 11, 2007 11:01 AM
Cheater.
Flynne at September 11, 2007 11:10 AM
Oh, the Scots. They make the Irish look refined.
Lena at September 11, 2007 12:24 PM
It's 2am and they're still out there, still singing. They're amazing. No violence, no hooliganism, just a bunch of white men in skirts singing, drinking, and laughing.
Amy Alkon at September 11, 2007 5:05 PM
2. Doe a deer
I'd bet a plate 'o' haggis what they're actually singing is:
doe, a beer, a female beer
Ray, a drop of golden beer
Me, the name of who likes beer
Fa, long way to go for beer
So, let's have another beer
La, I sing when I drink beer
Tea, it's not as good as beer,
That will bring us back to beer, beer, beer, beer!
Doe, a beer... ad infinitum
And we used to sing "The Scotsman" at Ren Faire. (dirty fucking hippies!) That one and "Three Little Whores of Winnipeg."
No violence, no hooliganism, just a bunch of white men in skirts singing, drinking, and laughing. Lose the skirts, add bells and dancing and you've just described a Morris Ale.
deja pseu at September 11, 2007 7:05 PM
Methinks you're right (on the words to the song).
Amy Alkon at September 12, 2007 11:30 AM
This is what we used to sing in the Catholic grade school I attended:
[To the tune of "When the Saints Come Marching In"]
We are brave, we are bold
For the liquor we can hold
In the cellars of St Andrew's School
We will drink, drink, drink
Till we vomit in the sink
In the cellars of St Andrew's School
Run, run, run
I think I hear a nun
Hide all the liquor and run
If a nun should appear
Say, "Sister, have a beer!"
In the cellars of St Andrew's School
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