I posted to this earlier, but apparently it got lost in the noise, so I will try it again to hopefully at least hit the high points.

Sushi, once again you brilliantly captured the concept.

But there is a bit of a difference. Years ago when I was in government service, we worked with a lot of foreign agents/reps from many countries, all of which showed up with empty duffel bags that they filled, when asking us to take them shopping, with Levi jeans, cowboy hats and boots to take back for themselves, family and friends. This amused us, as they seemed to think that we were all cowboys. So I sort of get it. But I was never offended.

Sushi points out that in his area, the local kids want to look "gangsta" without knowing what it means, only because it looks cool.

I can assure the folks in Scotland that in my area, the kilt is anything but cool, or a trend. Many of us who wear it are doing so in an effort to gain some sort of connection to our past. There are a lot who want to wear traditional kilts, and really want to learn how it it is "supposed" to be worn, and are here trying to "connect" without being disrespectful.

My son and many of his high school classmates wear kilts quite often, not because they are trying to make a fashion statement, but because they have a heritage that they want to connect to, and and are very proud of that heritage. They take a lot of heat for it, but they don't care. I wish I had the nads my son has when I was his age.

I can only ask this of the Scots who disapprove: When you are wearing a kilt, how often do you hear laughter and cowardly comments as you pass? How often are you looked at with open disdain and scorn from elderly men? I don't wear a kilt because it is "hip". I take the crap because I'm proud to wear the kilt.

In my area, wearing a kilt is certainly not viewed as masculine, or even acceptable in many cases. I only get positive comments to my face, but when it comes to the people who do not speak to me directly,it is often a different story. But my family continues to wear the kilt because we are proud of our heritage and want the world to know it.

It is a bit annoying sometimes to hear how we are "playing at being Scottish" when in reality, it is occasionally (often) rather painful to simply wear a kilt here. I can't speak for all areas, but I can say that in my area, it takes a lot of minerals to wear a kilt.

It isn't a game for many.