Relationships

The Scots may have charmed Boston in more ways than one.

Share

Send this article to your social connections.

You’re reading Meredith Goldstein’s Love Letters newsletter. Each week, Meredith shares tales of human connection, thoughts on public policy and relationships, and behind-the-scenes stories about the Love Letters column and podcast. Sign up to get the dispatch.

For more than a week, Boston has been flooded by Scottish people in town for the World Cup.

These tourists have been everywhere – and it’s clear Bostonians have loved the experience. 

I have loved it. 

It’s been delightful to watch an international community gather at City Hall Plaza to hang out and have fun. The Scottish people have been very social, and there have been lots of smiles.

I do not care about soccer. But I love hanging out. I also love kilts.

On Friday night, I went to the Haven, a Boston-area restaurant that’s 100 percent Scottish. It’s run by a Scottish person. The menu features haggis. The Haven even celebrates New Year’s at 7 p.m. – because that’s when it’s midnight in Scotland.

The place was packed with men in kilts watching the game against Morocco. Right after Scotland lost – and I must say, the fans were good sports about it – I felt the need to 

ask a few visitors whether they were successful at finding love (or just sex) during their stay. 

Was everyone hooking up? Were they finding some company while in town?

A group of men from the Highlands told me very quickly that Scottish men are loyal, so anyone already coupled would not cheat. (Yes, this is a huge statement to make about an entire group of people, but they felt confident with their generalization.) 

They said that if a Scottish man is single, he will tell you immediately. But if not, fidelity is key. 

I can’t speak to this, of course.

All I can say is that these men told me I looked 34, so, basically, now I love Scotland. 

My conversations have led me to a question:

Locals, did you meet or fall in love with a Scottish person while they were in town? Are you going to attempt to stay in touch? If so, I would like to hear about it – even anonymously.

World Cup romances are real, and I want to track them. Reach out by responding to this email. Tell friends they can reach me at [email protected].

You’re invited

Our podcast guest today is Olivia Wilde. Maybe you’ve heard of her.

She has a new relationship-focused movie called “The Invite” that follows one awkward, dramatic dinner with two couples. 

I have seen the film. I laughed and squirmed in my seat.

Wilde was in town when the film screened as part of the Independent Film Festival Boston. She stopped in to see Love Letters and talk about long-term relationships, marriage, and what movies we’d put in a relationship-movie film festival.

We also discussed our shared fascination with Esther Perel, the psychotherapist and podcast host who has been on Love Letters and served as an adviser on “The Invite.”

Enjoy the conversation, which is about much more than a movie. Listen here.

June 30th is next week

A reminder that Love Letters is having a free event at the Boston Public Library on June 30th at 6 p.m.

We’ll be talking about the Love Letters BPL Tell-A-Booth, our phone booth installation that allows people to leave anonymous questions for the column.

The night will also feature a discussion with historian Mary Beth Norton, who wrote the book, “I Humbly Beg Your Speedy Answer,” which is all about a centuries-old advice column. It’ll be a very fun night and like I said, it’s free. Join us. Say hello. RSVP here.

Also remember: You can send us a letter about any relationship question. When you ask, you help other people wondering the same thing.

I’ll leave you with a look at the aftermath of Scotland’s visit. You may have read that the Scots left orange traffic cones on top of statues all over town. 

I walked through the Boston Common and Public Garden over the weekend and wondered, as I saw cone after cone, “How are they going to get these things down?” I also thought: “This one looks kind of phallic.”

Looking forward to meeting more tourists from all over the world as the games continue.

— Meredith