How Long to Make a Tradition

[Rex_Tremende]

Some number of years ago, I started going out with my friends for Chinese food and a movie on Christmas day. No one handed this down to me (though I admit I may have been influenced by my Jewish friends), and I don't have offspring who will someday forget why it's done, but still, Christmas just isn't the same if I don't. Is that a tradition, habit, custom, practice, preference, lifestyle, or a practice?

To answer this and similar questions seems risky, since what I value may be different than what a larger group of people values, and when you start assigning relative merit to such things, we end up straight down the same path we've trod many times here - the same battle between the traditionalists and the modernists.

Regards,
Rex.

[dfmacliam]

Well put Mr Ashton, I was thinking of the Christmas analogy myself, we all celebrate it, as a whole but within families the traditions vary. Much like the kilt, what is traditional? In respect to what family or clan? They very from clan to clan, social standing, ect. Not all were nobles, so proper etiquite in fashion were not observed

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I think I once read that "Today's fad is tomorrow's tradition."

Hardly. Fads, due to their very transient nature rarely last long enough to become customs, never mind traditions.

Here are a few examples: raccoon coats; the Nehru jacket; spats; platform shoes for men...

[Jock Scot]

The Wizard of BC.

Actually Steve, good point! Prince Charles wearing mixed brown sporran with black shoes is very traditional highland attire. In this neat and tidy, labeled, matching obsessed, compartmentalized, modern world that we live in, is far from traditional.In the highlands here, we are not that bothered about all this matching up nonsense. Most wear what they have, just like they always have, in fact, just like Prince Charles.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I'm with you Jock.

In the film REMO WILLIAMS actor Joel Grey, playing the part of a wise Korean sinanju master, says, "The watch is a confidence trick of the Swiss to deprive you of your money." I sometimes think that this could also apply to the high street kilt shops regarding the "matching tie and hankie" mentality here in North America.

It doesn't matter if your shoes are brown or black or match your sporran. What matters is that, black or brown, your shoes are well polished.

[Expat2011]

Hardly. Fads, due to their very transient nature rarely last long enough to become customs, never mind traditions.

Here are a few examples: raccoon coats; the Nehru jacket; spats; platform shoes for men...

Of course not all fads become a custom or tradition, but many traditions were a fad first.

Bill

[dfmacliam]

Well put Mr Ashton, I was thinking of the Christmas analogy myself, we all celebrate it, as a whole but within families the traditions vary. Much like the kilt, what is traditional? In respect to what family or clan? They very from clan to clan, social standing, ect. Not all were nobles, so proper etiquite in fashion were not observed

[wyldathart]

Just like a journey starts with the first step,traditions start with the first idea that "something" is worth preserving.

I agree with Jock. Even if it's just one person who thinks something is worth perpetuating and makes it a point to remember that thing. Even if it's wearing a t shirt that says " Have a nice Day"
At the same time though, that person or persons needs to expect that the "tradition" might be called into question by others and takes that with a grain of salt. I mean thats just gonna happen to any tradition.
So do what makes you happy and to hell with anyone who thinks otherwise ( sorry about the cuss word but I couldn't think of anything else that said what I was thinking.

[muirkirkca]

I agree with Jock Scot. Think we think too deeply at times about what is traditional and the ramifications of what constitutes the precision of dress.
From the pictures posted most members seem to have no difficulty on what to wear for a specific occasion.

[Laird O'the Cowcaddens]

I believe that if you are participating in a Tradition,perhaps it would be wise to be informed as to its origins and the event(s) that caused its inception. As a former soldier of the Scottish Division,I proudly participated in many a tradition, but I knew WHY i was doing so,(the Tarra said it was mandatory,and that was the end of it).LOL. "Rage against the dying of the light....".