The famous "why do you wear a kilt? You are not Scottish"

[SadisticMedic]

My usual response is to either ignore it, or if they persist, I ask, "why do you care what I am wearing?" That usually ends the questions.

[TheOfficialBren]

That would make sense in a way.

Consider this: Scotland was allied with France in the past. The "Auld Alliance" no longer exists since the union of the crowns, correct?

Carlo, very cool. The Swiss people that I have met have all been very gracious. Also, your country is very beautiful, my friend.

[Nighthawk]

Personally? I like a very simply "Because I felt like it." Or there is of course the other simple reply of "Why not?"

[BCAC]

Here what I found. But it is not completely true. Even French people have different opinions about the two words and when to use them.

The word ancien is used when it doesnt exist anymore
the word vieux means aged.

Example : un vieux professeur means an aged teacher but un ancien professeur means that this person was teacher before. This is about a period that is old and doesnt exist anymore.

Un ancien immeuble : its not a building anymore
un vieil immeuble : it is still there but very old.

Sorry, I just caught this thread.

Having lived in France (or in a French speaking overseas community) for the last 30 years, I would totally agree with your analyse. Well done.

[Carlo]

Sorry, I just caught this thread.

Having lived in France (or in a French speaking overseas community) for the last 30 years, I would totally agree with your analyse. Well done.

Since jeanfor is french I obviously agree with him aswell .
Then I think that for many people in Scotland and for some in France the auld alliance still exists. That would explain why they use la vieille alliance. That at least would explain why it is used on wikipidia and many other websites.

[WillowEstate]

My usual response to the question is "Because I have it and if it's worth keeping, it's worth wearing."

[McClef]

I do remember being kilted in the RSM in Chambers St back in the 70s and talking to a French visitor and using the word vieille when referring to the Alliance, but then it was the only French word I knew that sounded anything like the Scots word auld. He did not correct me but he may just have been polite.

The difference between the usages of the word is intriguing. Once Scotland ceased to be responsible for its own foreign policy then technically it could be said to have ceased to exist although it does remain in a historical context.

[Derek]

I really enjoyed watching the expressions of some youngsters and their families at a party or whatever quite a while back now. When I was asked the question, I said 'Because I am interested in Astronomy'. There was a slight silence for a good few seconds after amid some confused looks ..
Iechyd Da
Derek

[BCAC]

Since jeanfor is french I obviously agree with him aswell .
Then I think that for many people in Scotland and for some in France the auld alliance still exists. That would explain why they use la vieille alliance. That at least would explain why it is used on wikipidia and many other websites.

Carlo, the fact that jeanfor is French has very little bearing on the discussion at hand. As he so rightly said himself "Even the French people have different opinions about the two words and when to use them".

I was simply agreeing with what he said.

[Llama]

I find it annoying when my wife and some people we know get to tell me that I am just looking for attention...

Surely you can find a table-turning moment to use here. Perhaps your wife is a fan of expensive and flashy shoes? Surely she doesn't wear them because they're comfortable.

You wear it because you like how you look and it makes you feel good. Too few things in life do, so grab hold of them when you can.