To not want to go to Scotland for work?

[ohyesido]

I have a job I love, I am manager level but don't manage a team (thank heaven)

I have a line manager who delegates a lot of work to me, which I am mostly fine with, but I have noticed lately that a lot of high responsibility level tasks are being completed by me.

The latest request is for me to travel to Scotland and undergo some training that I will then roll out to my manager's direct reports.

I don't want to do this as it's an environment that may not be particularly friendly as the Scottish office were an acquisition that wasn't welcomed by the employees in situ. I have Scottish parents and grew up in Edinburgh so I have nothing against the Scottish people, I just think they will not be welcoming me due to circumstances.

AIBU to refuse to go?

So you went, as a child, to Scotland 30 years ago and have unilaterally decided that it's a country whose people will shun you, be a rival to you, and not deliver training to you that they've agreed to deliver?

At Murrayfield?? Is this a wind up OP?

I never said that Scottish people are thugs, that's putting words in my mouth. I am concerned that this group of people might not be welcoming towards me and that my line manager has essentially made me a patsy

Apart from in sport when the English team are generally referred to as the Barsteward English there's no divide. Although we have better crisps - Golden Wonder and something made by Tunnocks has to be eaten every day by law.

You'll have a lovely time, even though it is Edinburgh and not Glasgow.

It sounds like a pretty feeble excuse from someone at management level. “Mom don’t make me go in case the other children are nasty!” Get a grip and go.

I’m English. The “anyone but England” sport mentality gets right on my last one but I have never encountered anything but a warm welcome and total professionalism when doing business in Scotland. The Scotland / England rivalry is a complete red herring.

I think the bigger problem is your boss…

Thank you @KIlliePieMyOhMy that's the kind of reassurance I need

YABU. If there are issues during the event then report to your manager/HR.

but don’t go there assuming there will be, or expecting there to be, as this will be obvious to those who you meet. Go with an open mind and be willing to make good contacts/ begin good relationships.

Go, do your job, don't be a jerk, and all will be good. Its not hard, you know.

Do you imagine you've gone through a time portal, ala Goodnight Sweetheart, to 1939?

patsy ffs.

Grow up

This

I’m genuinely intrigued as to what you think happens on a day to day basis.

e.g. Do you think there are no English tourists in Scotland? Do you not realise that many companies have teams from all parts of the U.K.?

Do you think we could try and support OP rather than berate her.
I know that it is MN policy to make people feel stupid and small, but maybe we could try a little harder today.

YABU, you said you’re manager level, that implies a certain amount of experience. You should be equipped to deal with situations like this by now, whether or not the office is hostile to you. It sounds like a great opportunity.

Support how exactly? By pandering to bizarre xenophobia?

From what I read on here Scottish folk often assume that the English have some kind of hostility towards them.

No English person I've come across gives two hoots about whether someone is from North of the border, why would we care?

Maybe the people will be hostile but they are hardly going to start a war with you

If you don't know how to 'support' someone perhaps you shouldn't comment.

Let me put it a different way.

What do you have in mind?

What do you feel might be supportive to someone who

-asked if she was being unreasonable
-has been told in no uncertain terms that she is being unreasonable
-and has said that being told that was helpful.

What support would you like to see beyond that being given?

Come off it,no one posts a thread like this in AIBU and expects fluffy hum like replies

How would you support OP without validating her xenophobia?

It's okay @KIlliePieMyOhMy you seem to understand my dilemma without needing to shoot a poison arrow. I appreciate that.

I came here for clarity not shoulder patting and I'm ard I can take the onslaught

Xenophobia bit of a reach really

And the vast, vast majority of Scottish people could not care less where you come from either. This thread is odd.

Not odd. Just asking for outside opinions on whether my boss is sending me into a lions den so they don't have to go themselves