While I was watching some telly last night, some US imports like CSI or something similar, I couldn't but notice that all the people portraying the various jobs were covered in big badges of one sort or another. I mean sown on badges, not 'buttons' as North Americans call them.

I just wonder if I'm on to something in that, it seems to me, that North Americans, in particular, seem to have this need to display who they are and with whom they have association, even if it's just the NYPD etc. On the box, they seemed covered in, e.g., an NYPD badge on their front, both arms and on their cap; a stars & stripes all over too etc.

Now, don't get me wrong, even a British bobby has a patch saying 'police' on his chest and a cap badge, but not a lot else if I recall correctly. I don't see anything wrong in having pride in your employer, your country etc, but it just looks a bit OTT to British eyes, I feel. I think it's a particular peculiarity of 'modern' nations, but I admit I could be reading more into all this than is meeting my eye. Good ol' British reserve is just as easy an 'accusation' from your perspective!

Having said that, I was born in Torquay, Devon as was my father and it was his father who was the last one born in the Highlands. Exiles like myself, I don't feel English in any way, are always the more fanatical in their patriotism, so I fully understand how come overseas folks with Scottish ancestry (and those with just a liking for it all) can get so worked up and want to do things with a flourish. I just wonder if this explains some of the more OTT outfits I see emigres wearing, kilts included?

Slainte

Bruce