The conclusion has been reached: Scottish politics is a funny old business.
Obviously politics in general is a terribly bizarre battleground with unlikely alliances and sometimes even more unlikely fractures appearing over almost any given issue.
Yet, while backroom deals may go on between rebels in any given party and pleasantries shared between opposition members who happen to be friends when “off duty” an extraordinary antagonism accompanies proceedings, which for many extends to outside chamber too.
Just look at Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons. It’s hard to imagine Messrs Cameron and Miliband going for a pint after that pantomime trading of insults, isn’t it?
I know, I know, that requires imagining those two going for a pint at all, which could in itself prove the big stumbling block, but let’s get back on topic.
There is an argument, of course, that Scottish politics is just as tribal. There are certainly plenty of examples the further down the food chain you go.
A quick scan through some of the online diatribe a disappointing amount of which comes from elected representatives shows hatred of opponents can scupper any chance of good judgment.
And there is very little cross party mingling in Holyrood’s bar, with one party even known to congregate outside the venue if it’s busy rather than be forced to socialise with those not of their own. There are honourable exceptions but unfortunately their number is few. Pretty sad, I know.
The venue is nicknamed Margo’s in memory of Margo McDonald, an MSP who could chat to anyone, regardless of their political leanings. There’s perhaps a lesson in there.
Of course, First Minister’s Questions can also get raucous. Passion floods from all sides of the chamber as heated argument and debate flow from the leaders and their back benchers.
However, it is those at the head of the respective parties who are showing the way to behave when outside the heat of the moment.
Hold onto your hats, folks, here comes praise for political leaders all of them, in fact.
Nicola Sturgeon, Kezia Dugdale, Ruth Davidson, Willie Rennie and Patrick Harvie have all shown themselves more than capable of stepping back, being a bit sensible and, dare I say it, fun when the time is right.
The most recent example of that came this week as the bosses of the SNP, Conservatives and Lib Dems, plus Labour’s deputy leader, agreed to go shoe shopping together for charity.
While that is a wonderfully hilarious image, it also speaks volumes about the way the quartet conduct themselves.
It all began as Davidson was getting some stick on Twitter for the UK Tories’ secretive Black and White fundraising party, during which “wonderful” prizes such as dinner with Chief Whip Michael Gove and a cup of tea and book review with London Mayor Boris Johnson were on offer to boost the party’s coffers.
Given one of the prizes on offer at this frankly ludicrous sounding gala dinner was a shopping trip with Home Secretary Theresa May, it only seemed natural for some online to see if Ruth would sign up to a similar deal.
After a wee bit of to-ing and fro-ing, although it must be said it didn’t take the First Minister long to agree to the suggestion with some enthusiasm, all the leaders agreed to auction off a joint trip to the shops in aid of Cash For Kids.
In the wake of a jovial exchange of Tweets about Andy Murray’s Australian Open semi-final and the possibility of sacking off FMQs to go watch the end of the match in the Sturgeon’s office this behaviour is both lightly entertaining and hugely important.
It shows we don’t have to be at each other’s throats all the time.
We are racing towards another general election, where there will be plenty of yah-boo and Punch and Judy politics.
That’s fine. It’s what’s expected as passions run high.
However, if we’ve learned one thing from the referendum, I would hope it’s that people are more important than politics.
Argue the issues and argue them passionately. That is necessary and healthy. Just remember that when all is said and done, we need to live together.
That has broadly happened since September but, sadly, the grievances of some otherwise fine people have left them at odds with folk in a way which is mighty difficult to understand.
Friendships should not be spoiled by differing views on how the country should be run.
I’m not saying our political leaders are pals, but they are leading by example. On this at least, we should all follow.