Food For Thought

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I have one amendment to Rocky's list. If you plan on asking people how much they paid for their kilt, I would also ask when they purchased their kilt. Whether they purchased their kilt last year, last decade, or forty years ago would have a major bearing on what they paid for it, and knowing when they purchased the kilt would help to better interpret the data.

[Jock Scot]

Alright Rocky and Matt I think I can get most of your points woven into the questionnaire without getting too long winded. It is 1325 hrs Jock time, I will be going to press in two hrs time, so, anything else?

[piperdbh]

Yes, Jock: pictures, please!

[Jock Scot]

Yes, Jock: pictures, please!

I think not, firstly, I will not be on parade for the "do" as someone has to baby sit and secondly I am having real trouble with photobucket at the moment. Sorry.

[Sir William]

I have one amendment to Rocky's list. If you plan on asking people how much they paid for their kilt, I would also ask when they purchased their kilt. Whether they purchased their kilt last year, last decade, or forty years ago would have a major bearing on what they paid for it, and knowing when they purchased the kilt would help to better interpret the data.

I understand the intent but what would it prove other than the price of kilts have gone up over the years.

In addition, some people don't like being asked what they paid for something (even if the answer is anonymous), or may not remember (I certainly don't recall what I paid for my first kilt in 1982 or any of my other kilts for that matter).

Perhaps a better question is when is the last time they got a "new" kilt and if it was purchased, a gift or an inheritance.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I understand the intent but what would it prove other than the price of kilts have gone up over the years.

In addition, some people don't like being asked what they paid for something (even if the answer is anonymous), or may not remember (I certainly don't recall what I paid for my first kilt in 1982 or any of my other kilts for that matter).

Perhaps a better question is when is the last time they got a "new" kilt and if it was purchased, a gift or an inheritance.

I mainly brought it up as an addendum to Rocky's question. If the questions are to include the price of the kilt, I think it would be necessary to include the question of when the kilt was bought in order to make the data at all relevant.

If Jock paid £350 for his kilt and Sandy only paid £95, that data might be relevant to how much different people are willing to spend on a kilt if both were purchased last year. And it would also speak as to the comparative quality of the kilts. But if Sandy bought his in 1962, while Jock's is only five years old, that data only tells us that the cost of kilts has gone up in the past 50 years, as you pointed out.

Personally, I don't care if cost is mentioned on the questionnaire or not; I'm just saying that if it is included, then knowing how long ago the purchase was made would help put those figures in context.

[Sir William]

I mainly brought it up as an addendum to Rocky's question. If the questions are to include the price of the kilt, I think it would be necessary to include the question of when the kilt was bought in order to make the data at all relevant.

If Jock paid £350 for his kilt and Sandy only paid £95, that data might be relevant to how much different people are willing to spend on a kilt if both were purchased last year. And it would also speak as to the comparative quality of the kilts. But if Sandy bought his in 1962, while Jock's is only five years old, that data only tells us that the cost of kilts has gone up in the past 50 years, as you pointed out.

Personally, I don't care if cost is mentioned on the questionnaire or not; I'm just saying that if it is included, then knowing how long ago the purchase was made would help put those figures in context.

As I said Matt, I understand the intent, and I agree that if the price is asked then it should be put into a time context to provide perspective. No argument that two are linked.

I just don't believe it a question that need be asked in the first place unless it is linked to how the cost effects their wearing of a kilt. More critical to our understanding might be when they last acquired a kilt, not what they paid for it.

[Jock Scot]

I agree Matt, whilst I can see the interest of costs, it will make the questionnaire complicated for the very reasons you mention. I also happen to think that asking the cost of something is a little impertinent.

I am going to have to rely on people's good nature to fill out this form and doing a survey in the middle of a dinner dance is hardly the place! So user friendly has got to be the way to go. I intend to "persuade" some of the house guests who are staying with my sons during the days before the bash to fill out the forms beforehand and hopefully they can whip up enough enthusiasm and interest to encourage others(the majority by far) to have a go on the night too .

The questionnaire will be open to all kilt wearing males of any nationality attending here during the next week, starting tomorrow and will close on the 3rd of January. So what with threatening to withdraw the baby sitting service, gentle cajoling, persuading, arm twisting and thumb screws I should have at least three forms completed by the end of it! In the interests of fair play, I will not attempt to answer the questions.

[CMcG]

Thanks for taking such care with this... and for even doing it in the first place.

Giv'r Jock!

[creagdhubh]

I think not, firstly, I will not be on parade for the "do" as someone has to baby sit and secondly I am having real trouble with photobucket at the moment. Sorry.

I was having trouble with them too, Jock. Must be their website - obviously.