Scots have best manners in Britain? Why, thank you!

THE stereotypical image of a well-mannered Brit is a bowler-hatted City gent with the kind of accent you only acquire at Eton.

But it seems the politest people in the UK are actually Scots – who say ‘thank you’ more than 5,000 times a year.

A nationwide poll found that those living north of the Border expressed their gratitude an average of 14 times a day.

This works out at 98 times a week, or 5,110 ‘thank-yous’ a year.

English people were not far behind, though, saying ‘thanks’ or ‘thank you’ 13 times a day – 4,745 times a year.

The least likely to offer the courtesy were Welsh people, who said it on average only 13 times a day – 4,380 times a year.

The study of 2,000 Brits by One4all Gift Cards found that we most often say thanks to delivery workers, postal workers, NHS and supermarket staff – as well as our own relatives and friends.

Aoife Davey, of One4all Gift Cards, said: ‘No matter how you show your appreciation to someone, whether that be saying thank you, giving someone a hug or buying them a gift, it’s clear that this will have a really positive impact on those receiving the thanks.

‘As a nation, we are now much more understanding about the power of thanking someone, especially to the key workers who have been working tirelessly through the pandemic and have been doing a remarkable job.

‘The effects of this will hopefully be long lasting, and people across the UK will understand the positive effects of showing your apprelife ciation to someone, no matter how simple the gesture.’

Psychologist Dr Audrey Tang said: ‘In an increasingly fast paced world, a thoughtful “thank-you” is an acknowledgement – a validation – that you have touched the of another person in some way. It says that you are not only relevant, but that you have been recognised.

‘How wonderful to take a moment to pause in the warmth of a meaningful connection.’

The study also found that Brits like to show their appreciation in other ways too, including giving someone a compliment (33 per cent), giving someone a hug (23 per cent) and treating someone to a gift (17 per cent).

Of those likely to be on the receiving end of a ‘thank-you’, the most likely candidates were NHS staff (52 per cent), nurses (47 per cent), supermarket workers (41 per cent), doctors (37 per cent) and delivery staff (33 per cent).

And nearly a third (29 per cent) of those who were surveyed said that receiving thanks made them feel appreciated.

Last year, Glasgow was named the second friendliest city in the UK, only just behind Newcastle, after an online survey by global travel site Big7.

While in 2017, the famed travel magazine, Rough Guide, named Scotland the most welcoming country in the world.

It said at the time: ‘Whether you’re propping up a bar in Edinburgh or trekking the hills of Glen Coe, you’re sure to feel a warm Scottish welcome from whomever you meet.

‘Whether you’re exploring the capital or discovering Scotland’s little-visited corners, you’re guaranteed a memorable trip.’

‘Meaningful connection’