Two Telling comments? The Answer Perhaps?

[S Mitchell]

Awhile back, reading a similar thread (I don't recall which) I felt pretty demoralized, as an American wearing the kilt, in much the same way as Allen and sailortats have expressed.

Nobody wants to be taken as foolish or seen as inept.

But, my feelings have changed.

I still don't want to be taken as foolish, mind you. But, if I ever make it to Scotland, I'll definitely, at the very least, bring my kilt. I might not have the courage to wear it! But, that's got nothing to do with fear of being taken as hapless.

I wear my kilt a lot. I wear it for any occasion. I wear it on date nights with my wife. I wear it to the tavern with friends. I wear it to parties. I wore it to Disneyland.

I'm still occasionally self-conscious wearing it, but less and less so.

In Scotland, I'd surely be very self-conscious, worried the locals would think I harbored some mythic, romantic idea of Scotland, but I wouldn't feel hapless. Hopefully, by the time I ever have a chance to wear my kilt abroad, I will have developed an ease and comfort which will be apparent. Maybe I never will. Hopefully I will.

I can't pretend I'm not an American in a kilt. The locals might still think I'm playing the Scot (which there are worse things one could be accused of) but they'd maybe recognize I'm not playing at wearing the kilt, much the way mac mhór ón Abb can tell someone who really wears western attire from someone who's trying to fit in.

I'd be back to being viewed as eccentric but harmless which, I'm sure, is how I'm often viewed here in the states. As a matter of fact, while most people I've met have been very positive, there are, even in America, especially in America, people who view the kilt as an embarrassingly needy attempt at attention.

Worst case scenario, even if the Scots still thought of me as that hapless tourist, it doesn't matter so much. If they're wrong about me, (and they'd be half right!) they're wrong about me. By all accounts, politeness and courtesy would still prevail and I'd have the opportunity at least, with my behavior, to raise myself in their estimation a bit.

As far as the Scots on this forum, I appreciate their honesty and take it in the spirit with which it's offered.