Neither in Tartan nor in Scotland

**cessna152towser** · 3rd July 12, 01:07 PM

Today I was accosted by two 'mericans from Tennessee who asked me to pose for a photo. Nothing unusual about that, except I was neither in Scotland nor in tartan as the location was Carlisle, England and I was wearing my denim Union Kilt with a tee-shirt. Denim usually blends into the crowd. Is this a first or has anyone else been asked by tourists to pose for pics while wearing a non-trad kilt?

**fcgeil** · 3rd July 12, 01:19 PM

I suspect that many Americans consider the kilt to belong to the entire UK, not just Scotland, particularly since we often see the Royals kilted in the news. I also suspect that it is the garment, not necessary the tartan, that they found unusual, and were taking advantage of being tourists to make a request they would not make at home. Of course, since I wasn't there, and am not them, I may be completely wrong; those are my guesses, though. I've never had anyone ask to take my picture - thank goodness! I'd hate to have to replace their camera after it broke trying to image me...

**brewerpaul** · 3rd July 12, 01:23 PM

Darn colonist are a pesky bunch when they have a Kodak in hand.

**Mike in Dayton** · 5th July 12, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by brewerpaul

Darn colonist are a pesky bunch when they have a Kodak in hand.

We try our best to be a pesky lot.

**fcgeil** · 3rd July 12, 01:25 PM

^^^Yeah, what he said!

**Tobus** · 3rd July 12, 01:27 PM

I suspect that many Americans consider the kilt to belong to the entire UK, not just Scotland

Sadly, my experience has been that many Americans either don't know what the kilt is at all, or don't equate it with Scotland at all. By far the most common question I get when kilted is "are you Irish?"

**Deirachel** · 3rd July 12, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Sadly, my experience has been that many Americans either don't know what the kilt is at all, or don't equate it with Scotland at all. By far the most common question I get when kilted is "are you Irish?"

This.

**seanachie** · 4th July 12, 09:11 PM

Which based upon where you live in the USA may be a fair question. I can't speak to Texas but I know plenty of places this would be answered in the affirmative.

**creagdhubh** · 5th July 12, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Sadly, my experience has been that many Americans either don't know what the kilt is at all, or don't equate it with Scotland at all. By far the most common question I get when kilted is "are you Irish?"

*** (Sigh)

**Mike in Dayton** · 5th July 12, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Sadly, my experience has been that many Americans either don't know what the kilt is at all, or don't equate it with Scotland at all. By far the most common question I get when kilted is "are you Irish?"

I get the same thing. I was thinking this was more of a local thing as all the Celtic festivals around here are sponsored by Irish organizations. You tend to see kilts at those now. So outside of a parade that is the only place most people see a kilt. I am tempted to answer that question "no I am Japanese" and let them walk away scratching their head.

Mike