Just reading an interview in today's newspaper about John Barrowman who was born in Scotland but was brought up in the states, one or two interesting things he says in the interview, firstly he talks about being proud of his Scottish heritage and background ' A lot of people when they go to the States to live and work find that they're stronger abot their heritage'
he goes on to say' I wore a kilt to my high school prom at a time when they basically thought I was turning up in a skirt - they're just idiots in the American mid-west'
Would this still be the attitude to day to a young person wearing the kilt at school? You hear reports every now and then about kilts not being welcome at school!
Lastly, the star of Torchwood and Doctor Who (incidently the new series of Doctor Who started last Saturday) says that Torchwood in the States is a far bigger hit than Doctor Who, is this the case?

I haven't had any negative comments wearing my kilt while living in the midwest, but I'm in a college town and people are mostly used to some things being out of the ordinary. Most folks just ask if I'm in a pipe band or something. I think calling mid-westerners idiots is unfair. I haven't read the article, but I'd wonder if he lived in a smaller town? I also grew up in the South, and find that it's not a Southern or Midwestern thing to be suspicious or discounting of "outsiders" or strange clothing. It's more of a small-town thing, where folks don't tend to get out and see much of the rest of the world. At least, that's been my experience.

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Originally Posted by Jimmy

Just reading an interview in today's newspaper about John Barrowman who was born in Scotland but was brought up in the states, one or two interesting things he says in the interview, firstly he talks about being proud of his Scottish heritage and background ' A lot of people when they go to the States to live and work find that they're stronger abot their heritage'
he goes on to say' I wore a kilt to my high school prom at a time when they basically thought I was turning up in a skirt - they're just idiots in the American mid-west'
Would this still be the attitude to day to a young person wearing the kilt at school? You hear reports every now and then about kilts not being welcome at school!
Lastly, the star of Torchwood and Doctor Who (incidently the new series of Doctor Who started last Saturday) says that Torchwood in the States is a far bigger hit than Doctor Who, is this the case?

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His comments about expats being stronger about their heritage certainly agree with the sentiments of my Scots expat friends who active in scottish organisations, games, etc.

However, as a Midwesterner, I find his second statement condescending and insulting, especially since my Scots ancestors settled in the Midwest.

ignorance knows no geographical boundaries.

Regards,

Todd

I would agree with Todd about acceptance and ignorance; they both occur all over the States.
As to the kilt and prom, I would think there would be more acceptance now than when Barrowman was in high school, at least I hope so!
As for Torchwood, I was a huge Dr Who fan but have gotten more into Torchwood (as has my fourteen year old daughter). I think all of the actors are pretty topnotch.

Cheers!

Paint with a broad brush, much? It's unfair to label people in any one part of the country as anything, like they were some sort of heterogeneous group.

That said, every year there's at least one or two stories about some kid who tried to wear the kilt to his prom and got turned away or refused. So, there isn't the sort of widespread acceptance you'd expect.

I hear a lot of crap when I wear mine to school. Got lifted at prom last year. First thing I usually hear in the morning if I wear pants is, 'Hey! Where's your skirt?' It tends to be more accepted if I go visit friends at their high schools for dances or plays. I'm getting so sick of hearing the stuff that Ive just stopped wearing them to school for the most part. Im gonna wear one to graduation this June though, thats for certain.

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Originally Posted by JerseyLawyer

Paint with a broad brush, much? It's unfair to label people in any one part of the country as anything, like they were some sort of heterogeneous group.

That said, every year there's at least one or two stories about some kid who tried to wear the kilt to his prom and got turned away or refused. So, there isn't the sort of widespread acceptance you'd expect.

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In 1965 I attended three high school proms in the LA area. Went kilted to all three and had no problems. No smart remarks. Nobody upset. No problems. But then I didn't have an "attitude", something that a lot of high schoolers seem to have these days-- especially when kilted. I suspect that attitude, and teenage angst, which is all part of growing up, has a lot to do with it (just look at the rants we endure on X Marks from time to time).

Regarding acceptance and ignorance-- it's universal, and it shows extreme ignorance to suggest that it only exists in the USA. Someone should tell John Barrowman (whoever he is) to wake up and loose the attitude. It's that kind of attitude that probably got him tossed from the prom in the first place.

And isn't there a "Dr. Who" website out there? (My rant. :) )

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Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

But then I didn't have an "attitude", something that a lot of high schoolers seem to have these days-- especially when kilted. I suspect that attitude, and teenage angst, which is all part of growing up, has a lot to do with it (just look at the rants we endure on X Marks from time to time).

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I would humbly suggest that your comment about high schoolers, especially kilted ones, is written with a fairly broad brush, similar to Mr Barrowman's. :wink:

Now I'm 44 years old and hardly a high schooler AND I don't necessarily disagree with you, I'm just saying...

kids these days... so darn ignorant!

I just wish he would be kilted more often.

He does very well on TV on Saturday and Sunday nights over here hosting an adult v kids quiz and being a judge on "I'll do anything" which is a search for a new Nancy and Oliver to appear in the West End musical of the same name.

Since his Civil Ceremony I haven't seen him kilted. :(