Bonnets and badges at Burns dinners.

[Sir William]

I'm going to approach this from a slightly different perspective.

I have decorations awarded for both military and civilian service. By regulation they cannot be worn together. I wear the military ribbons at military related events, to include SAMS functions. I wear my civilian awards at formal (black tie) non-military functions.

Steve's observations are spot on. I live in a region with a much larger than average percentage of the population that is currently serving, is retired from, or has served in the military. Around here it is customary, if not expected, to wear medals or pins to show that service.

Friends and relatives asked me why I didn't wear my awards to formal events like others did. I've compromised by wearing some of my civilian awards (not all have a miniature version). An added benefit is that these awards are not well known or as commonly seen as military awards, so it greatly confuses the Medal Spotters.