Standing out

Sitting in Edinburgh railway station today, I was struck yet again with how kind and generous the folk of this city are. With just one spectacular exception (which I’m bound to write about at some point), the people of Edinburgh have really stood out.

Today the sandwich bar had run out of my kind of tea, so they refused to charge the sit-in fee, despite my protest.

At a follow-up appointment this morning in Edinburgh hospital, the consultant said it was on my notes that I was on my great O E… so lovely to be treated as a person, not just a triage number!

And the traffic… considerate drivers who gave every appearance of looking after each other. Giving way when they didn’t have to, letting others in, and giving space. Just lovely.

Maybe it’s the warmth of the stone in their buildings, or the lovely mature trees everywhere, enhancing the residents endorphin intake, but Edinburgh really is friendly and polite.

Speaking of polite, I had the pleasure of meeting an extraordinary young man on the train to Inverness today. Brody is just 9, and has been passionate about golf since 5 years old.

This is no ordinary passion. Brody competes on the kids world tour, and was world champion at just 8 years old. He plays in various countries, including long stints in the USA against friends he’s met on the circuit. He travels with his own golf clubs; professional kit of a serious size. None of his school friends play golf. What makes a child at 5yo take up something so seriously? His mother said he’ll go out into the snow to practice despite her objections.

Brody is supported by his parents and baby brother who travel with him. His parents are able to work remotely which helps. Dad said the circuit costs them roughly 160,000 pounds a year. (Gulp).

Yet this lad was no spoilt wonder kid. He had just one lolly on the train 4-hour journey, and his manners were impeccable. He played with his brother, and seemed quite happy to be told he was having an early night in readiness for school tomorrow.

I’ve met many sport-dedicated wonder-kids, most of whom seem to be living the parents dream, or who are quite demanding. This young man stands out. I couldn’t help feel that wherever life takes him, he’ll be like the folk of Edinburgh; warm, friendly and genuine.