Scottish hotel staff “dour and lazy”
An Australian hotel owner in Scotland has staffed almost the entire operation with staff from Down Under – because he says Scottish workers are “dour and shiftless”. Scott Poole, who bought the Dalmunzie Hotel at the Spittal of Glenshee, says he is keen to employ Scottish staff, but has imported all his workers – except one – from Hamilton Catering College, in New South Wales. The Times quotes Mr Poole as saying: “Back in Australia I was used to employing workers who were enthusiastic, friendly and treated hotel guests as if they were guests in their own homes, but when it came to Scotland, it was impossible to find staff who shared that outlook. “Scots seem to prefer being on the other side of the bar, propping up a pint, than working and serving other people.” He reportedly added: “The hospitality industry is quite an aggressive culture at home. Those who go into it are what we call young, keen, lean and mean. By contrast, in Scotland a career in hospitality is seen as a last resort.” The newspaper quotes Barbara Clark, head of communications for Visit Scotland, as saying: “What they say is not true. Research shows that visitors place the friendliness of the people second only to our fantastic scenery.” Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd
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