Why Do Some Take Such Offense...

[AN COIGREACH ALBANNACH]

Doc Canary,first let me say that I took the advise at the bottom of your page and looked at your photos,You really have a talent there,some brilliant pics.

As to your post,I do appreciate when someone is prepared to thoughrily explain his point of view,so thank you.

I would point out,however,that you have fogotten in your last post to make clear that the definitions by which you see the Scottish kilt and other similar garments are in fact your own view points.They most definately are not shared by all!

[Doc Canary]

Please note, my post begins with the words "In my humble opinion..." That was done with a purpose that apparently escaped your initial reading.
As stated, if one chooses to dismiss the definition of a word as given by a wold renowned and recognized source such as Webster's, it is their choice. Similar definitions are given by other recognized sources. Google it.
I fail to see the continued source of perceived offense. You know what you are wearing and what significance it has to you. I can't help but think some are looking for reasons to get their back up about something.
Life is too short.

[AN COIGREACH ALBANNACH]

Doc Canary,I am only too happy to stand corrected.
You did indeed start your last post with the words "in my opinion".
It was a long post and there were many full stops in it between making differing points,and I did not get the impression that you were so careful to keep up the flag saying"my view only"

However you have clarified that,and I say that it was my failure to recognize your honest and genuine effort to signify that it was your personal opinion.I apologize.

I also regret that you have felt that I am affronted or otherwise upset by your views.I have enjoyed the chance to 'chew over' this issue which means so many differing degrees of 'care or care not' to so many members.I am glad you have come back and mentioned that you don't want to see tension,because in truth I was under the impression that you were getting pernicketty!

Differing views,and men who can talk about it without backing down if they see no need,but also without descending into name calling.I respect that.
We've found the happy medium of not pulling punches,yet sticking to the rules of the ring,so to speak!

The 'new world' views of what the kilt means,symbolizes and looks like may not have made a dent on my Scottish family influenced view point,any more than my view point has changed yours,but as I can see that you are saying that it's only your opinion right across the board,I can salute you for that!

Long live the freedom and ability to have a right solid debate!Thank you Xmarks.

[Nick the DSM]

Differing views,and men who can talk about it without backing down if they see no need,but also without descending into name calling.I respect that.
We've found the happy medium of not pulling punches,yet sticking to the rules of the ring,so to speak!

The 'new world' views of what the kilt means,symbolizes and looks like may not have made a dent on my Scottish family influenced view point,any more than my view point has changed yours,but as I can see that you are saying that it's only your opinion right across the board,I can salute you for that!

Long live the freedom and ability to have a right solid debate!Thank you Xmarks.

That's what this forum should be like, and 98% of the time it is.

You have great posts, especially about what the Scottish Kilt means to you and how you don't "flame" on others for different opinions. That's why I respect the members of the forum so much.

Cheers.

[Teufel Hunden]

Honestly, it's not the word skirt that offends me, it's the lack of common courtesy that does. Generally speaking, when people ask me about the skirt I'm wearing, it's coming from a person meaning to offend me slightly, and not someone genuinely curious.

It's the same sort of attitude when someone comes up to me while I'm wearing my Marine Corps dress blues (arguably one of the most recognizable uniforms in the world), and asking me how long I've been "In the Army." When I correct them and say Marine Corps, they reply, "Whatever... same thing." They don't really want to know how long I've been in, they knew I was a Marine, they know the Army isn't "the same thing," they just wanted to hear their head rattle for a little bit, and reveal their decision to travel through life as a jackass and not a decent person.

While my uniform being insulted usually puts someone only one or two missteps away from being sent home with a broken jaw, someone poking at my kilt like that is seen as a minor inconvenience. Sure they're probably trying to subtly insult me, but I try not to feed the trolls too much.

[NeightRG]

They knew I was a Marine, they know the Army isn't "the same thing," they just wanted to hear their head rattle for a little bit, and reveal their decision to travel through life as a jackass and not a decent person.

That just doesn't seem fair. Granted, it's not fair to say they're the "same thing" but mistaking a uniform from one branch for another is easier than you'd think.
Serving in the military (thank you for that, by the way) you're well studied on the matter. Just as almost anyone on the forum could tell a Utilikilt from an Alt. Kilt, plenty of people who appreciate kilts but haven't really stopped to look could never tell the difference between the two - plenty of people who appreciate the military have never noted the difference between branch uniforms.

[Nick the DSM]

There's a big difference between the Army Dress and the Marine Dress, colour is the main one.

[Teufel Hunden]

That just doesn't seem fair. Granted, it's not fair to say they're the "same thing" but mistaking a uniform from one branch for another is easier than you'd think.
Serving in the military (thank you for that, by the way) you're well studied on the matter. Just as almost anyone on the forum could tell a Utilikilt from an Alt. Kilt, plenty of people who appreciate kilts but haven't really stopped to look could never tell the difference between the two - plenty of people who appreciate the military have never noted the difference between branch uniforms.

If we were talking about service uniforms, like these:



I'd agree with you. Each branch has many different uniforms, some of which are rarely seen in most parts of the country. That uniform there is the Marine Service "C" uniform, and I wore it all of a handful of times in my entire career. Unless I was in a Marine town like San Diego or Twentynine Palms, I'd expect almost no one, except prior Marines, to distinguish my branch of service from that uniform alone.

However, any American who doesn't recognize these men as US Marines is one who either grew up in a deep dark cave in the mountains, OR, who took serious steps to remain ignorant of the world around them.




On that same token of uniform recognition, I'd guarantee no one ever asks this gent how long he's been in the Air Force:




But, the people who legitimately don't know these things (or the people who don't know what a kilt is), aren't generally the ones who cause trouble for others. People who will ask scathing questions about your skirt have probably heard the word kilt before, they just lack that common decency. Much like the person in my above scenario, if they really cared about my answers, they wouldn't have brushed them off in a disrespectful way, and it's the disrespect that annoys me not the lack of knowledge.

[Kilted Cole]

womens skirts open to the left i thought and kilts to the right.

[Meggers]

I used to get mad when I would wear mine and people would be like "cute plaid skirt!" because, to them, I looked like a catholic school girl when, to me, I looked like a Scot-American in a dang kilt!

got on my nerves a bit

It's the same sort of attitude when someone comes up to me while I'm wearing my Marine Corps dress blues (arguably one of the most recognizable uniforms in the world), and asking me how long I've been "In the Army." When I correct them and say Marine Corps, they reply, "Whatever... same thing."

Ooooooo....even having a Marine for a dad and reading that made me a little annoyed.