Two Telling comments? The Answer Perhaps?

[creagdhubh]

I think we will all agree that there are bearings and manners that are recognisable as belonging to specific areas of the world, to certain cultures and to educational or occupational styles. The rolling gait of the American southwest is one example, the bearing that comes from certain countries' military service is another. There are facial expressions (or lack of them) that are also cultural identifiers. Jock has things about him that still photography doesn't expose. We just see what he looks like and how he is dressed. Steve and Kyle, as other examples, dress traditionally well, but their facial expressions reveal that they are not Scots, even though on the forum we don't hear their American accents. Jock spent many years in England and no doubt picked up some styles and manners that are English (along with his accent), but those are often-enough seen in the Highlands to make them almost native. Alex is a Lowland Scot even before he opens his mouth; I have lived in Canada on and off for so much of my life, that I have acquired mannerisms that I am sure are not Scottish.

We don't know much about Harry's background, but he now lives in the Highlands, so even if he is not 'native', he will be acquiring native traits just through association with others who are Highlanders. However he dresses, Sally poo-poos the suggestion that he looks like a visitor.

Really? Interesting indeed. I am rather curious Rex, what do my various facial expressions reveal about myself?

[Calgacus]

Really? Interesting indeed. I am rather curious Rex, what do my various facial expressions reveal about myself?

Likewise!

Maybe it's because you are generally smiling, Kyle, whilst we are not

Seriously, I would like to know what my bearing and expressions say about me, Rex.

[Jock Scot]

According to my sons, most of my later pictures show a doddering old boy propped up by his cromach by the photographer and I would fall flat on my face if it were taken away!

About time I thought about my will again, methinks!

[creagdhubh]

Likewise!

Maybe it's because you are generally smiling, Kyle, whilst we are not

Seriously, I would like to know what my bearing and expressions say about me, Rex.

That's what I was initially thinking, however...

[Father Bill]

Kyle, it just says that you guys like hanging out with older bald guys with big smiles!

[creagdhubh]

Kyle, it just says that you guys like hanging out with older bald guys with big smiles!

Hahahaha! Quite!

[MacThomas]

Please excuse me if your style of English gives me the wrong impression here. But no, I am not at all proud if I see a properly worn civilian kilt being worn by a foreigner. I do enjoy seeing the kilt being worn properly by anyone, that is for sure and I get upset if I see a Scot wearing the kilt poorly.

No problem Jock and sorry for my English (I'll do my best), I understand your opinion but believe me or not it happens to me several times to be "seriously" invited by scots (not every scot) to wear it and each they seemed to be pleased with the result. So it is not always problematic to foreigners.

[Jock Scot]

No problem Jock and sorry for my English (I'll do my best), I understand your opinion but believe me or not it happens to me several times to be "seriously" invited by scots (not every scot) to wear it and each they seemed to be pleased with the result. So it is not always problematic to foreigners.

Your English is fine! I was just being cautious in case I misunderstood.

[McMurdo]

I think we will all agree that there are bearings and manners that are recognisable as belonging to specific areas of the world, to certain cultures and to educational or occupational styles. The rolling gait of the American southwest is one example, the bearing that comes from certain countries' military service is another. There are facial expressions (or lack of them) that are also cultural identifiers. Jock has things about him that still photography doesn't expose. We just see what he looks like and how he is dressed. Steve and Kyle, as other examples, dress traditionally well, but their facial expressions reveal that they are not Scots, even though on the forum we don't hear their American accents. Jock spent many years in England and no doubt picked up some styles and manners that are English (along with his accent), but those are often-enough seen in the Highlands to make them almost native. Alex is a Lowland Scot even before he opens his mouth; I have lived in Canada on and off for so much of my life, that I have acquired mannerisms that I am sure are not Scottish.

We don't know much about Harry's background, but he now lives in the Highlands, so even if he is not 'native', he will be acquiring native traits just through association with others who are Highlanders. However he dresses, Sally poo-poos the suggestion that he looks like a visitor.

On the weekend at the Highland Games a gent from Scotland commented on the fact that I must be from Scotland as I had the face. By the way we talked for a while about all things going on over there and yes there were times he was smiling. I think his observation holds true because both my parents were Born in Scotland.

[Father Bill]

I think that part of the problem we're experiencing in this discussion is an erroneous and possibly unintended assumption on the part of some, that Scots think as a monolithic whole. That would be as silly as saying that all kilties think the same. This very forum, and in fact this very thread, give ample evidence that such thinking is patently false. Scots are a much more finely nuanced and varied group than that, something for which I respect them as I do any group. So, incidentally, are tourists and other visitors, with or without roots, but since we are usually fewer in number at any given time, it's easier to make broad assumptions about us than it is for the locals to make such assumptions about one-another.

While many Scots will likely think as do Jock and his friend, there are undoubtedly others with other opinions, nuances of thought, different reasoning, different experiences. I value the opinions of my good friend Jock and respect him as an individual, a model, and an observer, but I don't assume for a moment that he or any other Scot can speak for all Scots any more than I or any other Canadian can speak for all Canadians etc.

These are groupings of individuals with many similarities of experience and thought, and many, many fine, delicate, and critically significant differences and shades of meaning in their thought processes, beliefs, and perceptions. That's probably the reason that we're reporting varied experiences, BUT, Jock's perspective is helpful to me and, I would hope, to many.

The bottom line to me is that if you're patently a tourist and dress and/or behave in the ways of foolish, overenthusiastic or giddy outlanders, (no, I did not just say that all outlanders are foolish, overenthusiastic or giddy) if you do not show respect and circumspection, dignity and thoughtfulness, you'll likely be received as such: usually politely, usually patiently, but often with rolled eyes as you walk away. If you do so while sporting something that is symbolic, iconic, and near and dear to the hearts of the "locals," you may actually engender some low-level, silent, seething, and disgusted hostility, albeit mostly silent.

More than that, such behaviour paints a broad stroke against other more sensitive tourists and visitors and does nobody any favour. The "I'll do as I damned well please" attitude of some is hurtful to many others and paints the individual who takes that stand as a boor, an uncaring clod, and an uneducated fool. Yes, you are indeed free to behave that way. But as one who tries hard not to, you make my life more difficult as you create hard feelings and by doing so, it seems to me that you don't care about me or anyone else in the world other than yourself when you do so. As such, you get little respect from me.

Are there "national characteristics?" Undoubtedly so. In fact, it sometimes seems to me that the aforementioned "I'll do as I damned well please" way of thinking is a characteristic of some groups, possibly some nationalities, but it's foolish to suggest that any stereotype is universally true. Different tourists. Different Scots. Different peoples. Different ways.

Here endeth the sermon.

Father Bill+