“Excuse me!”: a Geordie rarity?

Since beginning my studying at Newcastle Uni, I have found that less and less people I meet have the same accent as me. So few Geordies go to Newcastle Uni, it’s slightly frightening. But that’s ok! I’ve met people from all over: Northern Ireland, Cambridge, Lincolnshire, Birmingham, Glasgow and even Canada and Poland.

However, I have found that whenever I see someone push their way past me, whether it be I’m broad daylight or in a club, they are never from the North East. Ever.

Now, I hate stereotypes (like really hate them) and I don’t think that manners depend on where you’re from (on the contrary, I’ve met some beyond rude people from my home village which is so far north it’s practically Scotland) but I must admit there seems to be a theme!

The other day in a lecture, we were faced with the question about what we would expect from Northerners and Southerners and, as you would expect, many people called Southerners rude, arrogant and anti-social, while claiming Northerners to be friendly, well mannered and talkative. This seems to hold some truth but, as I say, all stereotypes can be broken.

So basically, what I am trying to say, is to all people: say “excuse me” if you want to squeeze through me and my friend to get to the bar and I am less likely to get pissed off at you for ordering your vodka and coke before my shot of tequila even though I got there first.

Maybe.

Say “excuse me” before you shout at me for not guessing that you wanted to be passed on your bike even though I am in the pedestrian lane and the cyclist lane is not even a metre to the left of me and I am less likely to do star jumps in front of you, henceforth not allowing you past.

Perhaps.

Say “excuse me” before pushing your way past into the toilets even though I am sure your bladder is just as able to wait as mine is and HELLO DIDN’T YOU SEE I’VE BEEN HERE FOR TEN MINUTES AND HAVE STILL NOT VISITED THE LOO!? and I am less likely to stick out my leg, making you fall down so I can loo before you do.

Probably (I’d never trip anyone over).

Just say “excuse me” please. I’d even settle for “‘scuse me”. I really would.

Love,
Benjamin x