Scottish outlook on kilted Americans?

**Alan H** · 3rd December 12, 12:03 PM

This subject, again????

...with all the divisiveness, rancor and ill-will that this subject generated last time, can't we give this subject a rest?

**auld argonian** · 3rd December 12, 12:13 PM

Sorry, Alan....it would appear to be the kilted elephant in the room. I was surprised to see it come up again but most of the postings in this thread have been pretty un-rancorous (?) so it's been of great interest to me. It's sort of like Clemenza's line about gang wars in The Godfather: ".... These things gotta happen every five years or so, ten years. Helps to get rid of the bad blood." As long as level heads prevail, let it run its course....better out than in, as Shreck said....

Best

AA

**ThistleDown** · 3rd December 12, 12:14 PM

New folk need old answers, Alan. Open a new thread about throwing an old something, or something

**Alan H** · 3rd December 12, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

Sorry, Alan....it would appear to be the kilted elephant in the room. I was surprised to see it come up again but most of the postings in this thread have been pretty un-rancorous (?) so it's been of great interest to me. It's sort of like Clemenza's line about gang wars in The Godfather: ".... These things gotta happen every five years or so, ten years. Helps to get rid of the bad blood." As long as level heads prevail, let it run its course....better out than in, as Shreck said....

Best

AA

I didn't actually read through the thread, figuring it more than likely that it would follow the path of the last one, which very nearly saw two or three of our Scottish friends leaving the forum. If it's going down more civilly this time, then that's great.

**Phil** · 3rd December 12, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by CDNSushi

At the risk of sounding insensitive, and realizing fully well that 13 pages of comments have been posted since this original question was posed, I offer this answer from neither a Scottish nor an American opinion.

When I put on a kilt, I neither stop to ask permission from a Scot whether it is alright to do so, nor do I care what any Scot thinks about my choice of attire.
When I put on a kilt, I don't care what any American, Canadian, or any other nationality thinks either, for that matter.
When I put on a kilt, I do so because it pleases ME to do so, and life is too short to live by adhering to the rules of anyone that would presume to judge me based on my appearance.
When I put on a kilt, I do NOT put on its history, nor any historical or cultural baggage associated with it. If I did, it would be far too heavy to get through the day.
When I put on a kilt, I don't stop to think, "What will people think today if I do?"
When I put on a kilt, it's not because I happen to be (or not to be) in any particular geographical location. I've worn kilts in all sorts of countries around the world.
When I put on a kilt, it's just another choice in a closet full of clothes. The kilt is not a magical garment, but it is one I like to include in my rotation of daily wear.
When I put on a kilt and somebody laughs at me for doing so, I laugh back at them harder at their own ignorance.
When I put on a kilt and someone asks me if I'm Scottish, I proudly say: "No, I'm Canadian!" and let them figure out the rest.
When I put on a kilt and children stare at me, I just stare back at them. It's a fun game, really.
When I put on a kilt, I look good and I know it.
When I put on a kilt, I feel great and it shows.

That's pretty much it. While I have nothing but the utmost respect for traditions, history, and culture, when it comes to having an opinion on kilts, everyone's got one -- and the only one that matters is my own. I've read through a number of these threads before in the past, and they've generally depressed me and made me at least a bit upset, knowing that there are (presumably) many Scots whose opinions are very distant from my own. But I've had to make the conscious decision that those opinions aren't worth the pixels on my screen, and at the end of the day, the OP's question really deserves the only answer I can give: why care or worry about what someone else thinks? Just simply, don't. Wear the kilt if it pleases you, and stop wearing it if the burden of being unique, or different, or standing out from a crowd of people (whether they be Americans or Scots) is too great.

An honest post and one I find myself in agreement with. There does seem a little bit too much 'tradition' tied up with wearing a kilt and if you want to do so then why not?
The majority, if not all, Scottish kiltmakers, joined by their sub-continent newcomers, have for many years massaged so-called clan tartans to satisfy the widest possible market. No-one in Scotland has seen fit to try and restrict this trade in the way that Parma ham, Arbroath smokies or Melton Mowbray pies have succeeded so why anyone should now complain is beyond me.
If anyone wants to wear a skirt then so what? Just because it is made of tartan material doesn't really make a lot of difference. Let us all celebrate this form of dress and 'deil tak the hindmost'!

**tpa** · 3rd December 12, 05:38 PM

I have not read all the threads either, but to get back to the original question I wear a kilt because I find it comfortable, I like the feel and the freedom of it and I would encourge anyone to wear one. I don't think a lot of people who only wear one on rare special occasions, and frequently hired at that, get the opportunity to appreciate the practicality of everyday wear. If travelling I'll wear it to travel so space is not an issue and it is a lot more comfortable than trousers, especially for those of us with larger than normal rear ends.

**CDNSushi** · 3rd December 12, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by neloon

Indeed. And it isn't your opnion that the OP is asking about. So how have you helped him?

If the OP didn't want anyone buts Scots and Americans responding to his question, he should have cleared stated that fact. But before we start running around shouting, "Sit down and shut up, this doesn't concern you, because you're neither an American nor a Scot," it may be best to realize that over the past 13 pages of thread, there have been many members who have participated and responded herein, who are neither American nor Scottish. It would be impractical in the least to start shushing all the non-Scottish, non-American members, not to say contrary to the spirit of this forum. XMarks is, and always has been a global forum, and all are (and always have) been welcome to voice their opinions.

As for how I've helped him? I've suggested in no uncertain terms that he not live his kilted life seeking opinions from the peanut gallery (be it a Scottish or American one) because no one man can speak for the Scots as a people, neither can any one man speak for the Americans as a people. The question itself seems to be a plea for permission to wear the kilt, and to which my answer is: seek none and follow your own path.