Perspective

[Panache]

I also agree with Chas about context. I wear what I like, but there are several tartans I would love to wear (like the Leatherneck tartan), but because of their connections I do not feel entitled to wear them. I am ex-army (Royal Logistic Corps) and wouldn't dream of wearing RAF as I did not serve in that particular branch of service.

Hmmmm...

I wonder which exchange is more likely


#1

Marine: "I see you are wearing the leatherneck tartan"

Kiltwearer: "Is it? I didn't know the name. I saw the tartan and really thought it was the best looking tartan I had ever seen so I wanted a kilt in it"

Marine: "The leatherneck tartan was designed in honor of the US Marine Corps. You are right about it being the best looking tartan. It is a handsome.
Wear it proudly and remember the men and women of the Marines when you do"

Kiltwearer: "Will do. Thank you for your service"

(The two fellows smile at each other and go their separate ways, end of scene)


or



#2

Marine: "I see you are wearing the leatherneck tartan"

Kiltwearer: "Is it? I didn't know the name. I saw the tartan and really thought it was the best looking tartan I had ever seen so I wanted a kilt in it"

Marine: "The leatherneck tartan was designed in honor of the US Marine Corps. If you aren't a Marine you don't have any right to wear that tartan."

Kiltwearer: "Err...is it a Marine uniform or something? I didn't realize we had kilts as part of military uniforms in the United States? If no one but Marines can wear it why was it offered to me as an option in the kilt shop?"

Marine: "I don't give a crap that you bought it with your own money. You aren't a Marine and have no right to wear it. That is OUR tartan!"

Kiltwearer: "Well I bought it and I'm going to wear it. But you have taught me one thing"

Marine: "What's that?"

Kiltwearer: "Marines are jerks!"

(fistfight ensues, the police are called, and we fade out on this sad scene)





My money is on that #1 would be the way things would go 99.9999% of the time

Cheers

Jamie

[Tartan Hiker]

Hmmmm...

I wonder which exchange is more likely

<SNIP>

My money is on that #1 would be the way things would go 99.9999% of the time

Cheers

Jamie

Jamie, I am betting that you are right. I personally would not wear Leatherneck, US Army or other service tartan because I don't want to give the impression that I am claiming to be someone who I am not.

Interestingly, I don't feel the same about clan tartans (I have owned kilts in Robertson and Wallace, to which I have no known familial ties). This could certainly be interpreted as hypocrisy, but thre is an emotional ledge in there somewhere and, for me, it lies somewhere between military branch tartan and non-related clan tartan.

I would also guess that someone with a lot less family connection to military service than I do might find there ledge somewhere else, and that's just fine by me.

My $.02

Bill

[Stilletto_Rebel]

... I personally would not wear Leatherneck, US Army or other service tartan because I don't want to give the impression that I am claiming to be someone who I am not.

That's what I was trying to say. Thanks, T.H.