By: Sheridan Kate Murray, foreign correspondent

At the time I’m writing this, I have been in the sweet land of kilts and wooly Highland cattle for a little over a month. Settling into my life here in Scotland has been a whirlwind as I explore the nuances of Scottish culture while also attempting to investigate my own position within Glasgow’s vibrantly diverse makeup.

An element of Scottish life that immediately stuck out to me upon my arrival was the unique methods of greeting that many Scots employ. For one thing, smiling at strangers on the streets is frowned upon – pun intended. During my first week in Glasgow, I would greet each passerby with a nod and a bright smile. Immediately upon presenting this gesture, I would be flooded with head tilts and perplexed looks in return. It wasn’t until I asked a friend I had made on campus about this phenomenon that he explained the faux pas I was making. To the Scots, smiling at them on the sidewalk is effectively equivalent to laughing at them.

While this Southern method of greeting is certainly unwelcome in Scotland, they have their own ways of bringing comfort and reassurance to both friends and strangers alike. While going about your business, it is not uncommon to hear “Hi! You alright?” from people you encounter. This statement is meant to be a blanket greeting as well as a way to check up on friends you see. This subtle turn of phrase is intended to reassure the person you’re speaking to that you genuinely care about their wellbeing, and that you are authentically excited to see them.

In that same vein, Scottish citizens utilize the word “cheers” in just about any context that involves human company. Are you holding the door for someone? Did you pick up a pencil that someone dropped, or hand back loose change that’s fallen out of someone’s pocket? Expect to get a hearty “Cheers!” as a response. I have to admit, this colloquialism is the one that puzzled me the most. While we utilize this term purely when toasting a drink with someone, the Scots employ this rhetorical device as a one-size-fits-all greeting to thank someone or to send them along with well wishes.

While ultimately Scottish culture differs from Southern hospitality in many ways, knowing that little greetings and soothing phrases like these exist makes me feel very at home. While we may be different, the Scots value human intimacy, kindness and close friendships just as much as your average Southern belle. And I’ll say “cheers” to that.