Run in with "Kilt Police"

[SFCRick]

Last night I attended the 206th Saint Andrews dinner of Baltimore, not a bad turn out of 270 gents ( no ladies allowed at this one ) for a Thursday night.
While sipping a nice single malt- Glemorangie ( the distillery donated a bottle for each table) I had a man come up to me and tell me " you are not supposed to wear a Badger sporran with formal attire" I told him that is not true, that a full face badger is worn anytime and is fantastic formal wear. I then informed him that by the way, my sporran is a skunk not a Badger. He huffed and as he walked away and older gent ( who was a navigator in Lancasters during wwll) told me to forget that "he has always been a *** wan*er"
The second incident happened while I was with a friend that had feathers on his bonnet ( these feathers are about 5 " tall, only 2 and look like owl or hawk)
an old guy walked up and without an intro asked him if he was a chieftan, he said no "why?" he said if you wear feathers it means you are a cheiftan, I introduced us and told him that they are not Eagle feathers and not 3 anyway. He said he never mentioned Eagle feathers, that I did and that any feathers means he is a cheiftan. I told him he was wrong, he said he knows because he is a cheiftan, I laughed and asked him where his Eagle feathers are, he kept ranting and I told him to leave. I find my table for dinner and lucky me, both Kilt Police at my table, so I moved to the Wounded Warriors table and had a great night with our guest troops. Pics will be in another post.

[dadgad]

I think I saw you there. I was with the band (I'm a SASB member as well). Good looking sporran.

[auld argonian]

Probably those of us who frequent this forum know more about the particulars of dress than the fellas that toss it on once or twice a year and head out to a dinner...I'm just sayin'...

Not to cast asparaguses (Norm Crosby-ism) on the OG's but the cognoscenti here keep us all pretty much straight on what goes and what is right out. Great that you had your facts in order when challenged and to those who would take it upon themselves to castigate (there's that word again!) a kiltie for his apparel, sometimes it's better to just let it go. Better to keep yo' mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.

And big thanks to the experts here that share their knowledge with the tyros. We appreciate your giving us the benefit of your experience.

Best

AA

[SFCRick]

I think I saw you there. I was with the band (I'm a SASB member as well). Good looking sporran.

think I got a pic here, hey you must all be Cheiftans with those feathers!

[auld argonian]

All these chieftans and no indians...

Best

AA

[Jock Scot]

think I got a pic here, hey you must all be Cheiftans with those feathers!

Those are the complete set of tail feathers from a male Black Grouse, black cock(female--grey hen) and are very traditional with pipe band head wear in Scotland.

I just cannot get over how rude some of the people are that you chaps bump into. Whilst I think, it is fair game to discuss the finer points of kilt attire on a website such as this and on occasion we can even agree to differ, but to berate someone in public is increadably bad form and I have no idea how I would react in such circumstances.

[longhuntr74]

Sorry to hear your ordeal...sounds very much like my encounter with a self proclaimed kilt expert (wearing trousers, of course) during the Pleasanton Games back in September where I was told that my kilt was too short. The only difference is that you had it happen twice in one evening!! Apparently you had some sort of sign on your back that said "I need to be abused tonight...please find fault with my attire!" LOL

Ah well...glad you were able to find acceptable seating in the end. Ya cain't fix stupid!!

[Tobus]

I just cannot get over how rude some of the people are that you chaps bump into. Whilst I think, it is fair game to discuss the finer points of kilt attire on a website such as this and on occasion we can even agree to differ, but to berate someone in public is increadably bad form and I have no idea how I would react in such circumstances.

Sadly, Jock, I think this is a perfect example of American manners (or lack thereof). I don't know why this is, but man Americans tend to like running around telling others what's right or wrong, according to their own particular way of thinking. I've found this to be true in virtually all circles, regardless of the common interest they share (such as hunting, sports, kilts, etc.), and it all classes of people.

[Joshua]

Sadly, Jock, I think this is a perfect example of American manners (or lack thereof). I don't know why this is, but man Americans tend to like running around telling others what's right or wrong, according to their own particular way of thinking. I've found this to be true in virtually all circles, regardless of the common interest they share (such as hunting, sports, kilts, etc.), and it all classes of people.

From my admittedly limited exposure to other cultures, it isn't at all limited to us...

We just happen to be considerably less subtle and polite about it.

[dadgad]

think I got a pic here, hey you must all be Cheiftans with those feathers!

Tell that to the Pipe Major! I'm the piper whose face is obscured by the drone pipe.