An observation or two.

[Micric]

Just read through Jocks, "Just because we can?" thread.

I read it and found myself deep in thought.
Still thinking on how to respond, I saw the thread closed.
This is not an attempt to open said thread, but just to put in print a few observations that came to mind;

It appears from this forum, that even if it is not widely admitted, there is an air of excitement about wearing a kilt.
Excitement is something that would only be sought outside the Highlands, (other than a young lad out with the lasses for the first time!)

Just looking down the threads, we have "kilted Fridays" and one about first time flying in a kilt.
I am not out to disparage these threads, but again they would never be committed to print "back home", where they would be viewed largely as strange or odd, even immature.
To me, these threads say more about our reasons for wearing the kilt than answering Jock's questions.

It would appear that some seek to wear the kilt in various and unusual circumstances as a kind of "dare you!"........(even when common sense dictates otherwise!),
but require (or hope) the rest of us will act as a kind of "support Group" to encourage them to take the plunge, (Maybe even literally!) into New levels of kilt -wearing.
Seeking support would not normally be sought above the Highland line, and again underlines the differences.

Such reasoning as the above only brings to the fore -front the totally different mind set between that usually to be found in the Highlands, and rest of the world, and I don't think that these views can be reconciled.
I have not come to any conclusions on this, and it is not meant to rub anyone up the wrong way, merely one chaps observations.
I will go now and quietly close the door behind me. :-)

[ratspike]

Just read through Jocks, "Just because we can?" thread.
It appears from this forum, that even if it is not widely admitted, there is an air of excitement about wearing a kilt.

Of course there is. It's an internet forum devoted to a very specific, niche interest. What sort of discussions would you expect to find here? I also read forums devoted to other specific, niche interests like photography, quilting, cycling, and cooking. The level of geekery one can find over, say the best brake cable housing or a good kimchi recipe makes xmarks look pretty sedate by comparison. More arguing and colorful use of language too. Same deal here, a group of very different people brought together by a common interest that they're super stoked on.

I guess I could worry that some of our threads would be viewed as immature back in the old country, wherever that is, but seriously?

[Jock Scot]

Alright then Mr. Ratspike, just what do SMH, FFS and GTFO mean?

[Lady Grey]

Jock please use this link & type in the letters
http://www.urbandictionary.com

I was also enjoying the last thread and wrote my observations and opinions but alas it was closed.

[Jock Scot]

Jock please use this link & type in the letters
http://www.urbandictionary.com

I was also enjoying the last thread and wrote my observations and opinions but alas it was closed.

Ah right! Thank you. Hmmmm, at the risk of being accused as being out of touch with the modern world etc. and I am no prude, but what a shame such language spoken, written, implied and thoughts are such common currency these days. One can only wonder just what terminology is used by the younger generation when one hits one's thumb with a hammer these days?

I too was sorry that that thread was closed as it was interesting, but sadly it was heading in the wrong direction and I thought it best to stop, before we went over a cliff.

[Father Bill]

I too hate acronyms used indiscriminately, and respectfully, I see no reason why I should be tasked with looking them up or learning them. What you're really doing is akin to whispering to one person while you're in a group of three or four.

...and hey Americans, nobody outside the Excited States knows the difference between MA, MI, and ME. It took me years to realize that those and other two-letter things were states. I have no reason to try to memorize fifty unclear symbols to know where you are.

Speak English folks!

[Jock Scot]

I too hate acronyms used indiscriminately, and respectfully, I see no reason why I should be tasked with looking them up or learning them. What you're really doing is akin to whispering to one person while you're in a group of three or four.

...and hey Americans, nobody outside the Excited States knows the difference between MA, MI, and ME. It took me years to realize that those and other two-letter things were states. I have no reason to try to memorize fifty unclear symbols to know where you are.

Speak English folks!

With tongue placed firmly in my cheek.

MA= Master of Arts?
MI= A Motorway Heading North from London UK?
ME= A Messerschmitt aeroplane?

[Tarheel]

A varied group of folks from around the world, being all ages and backgrounds have met to rally around a garment.

A Buddhist adage comes to mind. Three blind monks are trying to describe an elephant. One says it is a rope while holding the tail, one says it is a snake while holding the trunk, one says it is a wall while touching the body. A Guru tries to describe the elephant to the monks. A peasant boy rides by on his elephant (on his way to work).

I am here for the people of XMarks, the kilt remains a garment worth rallying around.

[Father Bill]

With tongue placed firmly in my cheek.

MA= Master of Arts?
MI= A Motorway Heading North from London UK?
ME= A Messerschmitt aeroplane?

Aye; you make my point well. These things mean different things to people about the world, so it is somewhat churlish to assume that we all have or should have the same understandings of them.

[jumary]

Just read through Jocks, "Just because we can?" thread.
It appears from this forum, that even if it is not widely admitted, there is an air of excitement about wearing a kilt.
Excitement is something that would only be sought outside the Highlands, (other than a young lad out with the lasses for the first time

I believe the "excitement" may be partly due to the cost many of us incurred in buying a kilt and the associated items. Speaking for myself, this was quite an investement and something I thought about for quite a while. I have been piping for four years before acquiring my kilt in the past several months. I will mostly wear it when piping, but there will be some additional times, as my supervisor supports me wearing it at work. As a teacher, the kilt brings up some interesting questions and an opportunity to share something different with my students.

My purposes, and if I may attempt to speak for other Americans, are certainly different than Highlanders, but I am trying to do it with respect. To that end, I am happy to have found XMTS.
I know this is not true for all. Rental outfits do not do a great job with traditional Highland attire, but from what I have read here, that seems to be the case in the UK as well.