thank you Robin

[Sherry]

Robin is a thoughtful person.

[Robin]

Geeh....uhh...thanks...I see myself as just slightly odd.

Happy though

[way2fractious]

I see myself as just slightly odd.

Aren't we all? I have gone over with my wife all but one of the reasons you advanced for wearing a kilt, and maybe a couple other reasons as well. The one I never owned up to was that I wear my homemade kilts as a sign of personal rebellion from the mass of expectations piled upon me by her, by family, and every other social structure defining my culture. It's my one bit of uniqueness that keeps me from sinking into and drowning in the sea of conformity. Though unstated, I'm sure she comprehends it.

Plus, they're really, really comfortable!

[Retro Red]

Yeah, I get asked this fairly often, too, but my view is you'd put most folks off with too involved or long of an answer, & personally, I think handing them a card might be a bit much.

I've worked my answer down to something short, sweet & to the point - "Comfort, freedom & individuality." - which I find makes for an easily digestible sound bite & I think covers the major points you listed. If the questioner exhibits interest beyond that, I might mention heritage, plus the health & well-being of the family jewels, but most of the time that would be considered TMI.
.

[Mike1]

-- but also raised Highland regiments like the Black Watch for service on foreign shores --

Mind if I amend this just a bit?

The Black Watch was originally raised for the purpose of watching over and enforcing the disarming of their own countrymen, within their own country. They were, for all intents and purposes, the long arm of English law in Scotland.

They were actually formed with the understanding that they were to be used for the express purpose of policing Scotland and that they would never be required to leave Scotland to fight for the English. Of course that was not true and the Black Watch fought its first real engagement at the Battle of Fontenoy, in Flanders, under the Butcher Cumberland.

While the Black Watch has distinguished itself well in military engagements all over the world, there are those that remember well the initial duties of Am Freiceadan Dubh was to impose English law on their fellow Scots.

[macwilkin]

Mind if I amend this just a bit?

The Black Watch was originally raised for the purpose of watching over and enforcing the disarming of their own countrymen, within their own country. They were, for all intents and purposes, the long arm of English law in Scotland.

They were actually formed with the understanding that they were to be used for the express purpose of policing Scotland and that they would never be required to leave Scotland to fight for the English. Of course that was not true and the Black Watch fought its first real engagement at the Battle of Fontenoy, in Flanders, under the Butcher Cumberland.

While the Black Watch has distinguished itself well in military engagements all over the world, there are those that remember well the initial duties of Am Freiceadan Dubh was to impose English law on their fellow Scots.

Quite true, Mike. I'm glad you pointed that out. My point was, however, that not all who wore kilts were rebels. Not trying to say who was right and who was wrong, just that the statement that wearing a kilt somehow makes one a "rebel" isn't always the case.

Cheers,

Todd

[Blu (Ontario)]

...... While the Black Watch has distinguished itself well in military engagements all over the world, there are those that remember well the initial duties of Am Freiceadan Dubh was to impose English law on their fellow Scots.

I won't wear Black Watch becuase it has such baggage attached to it. Nonetheless, it is a striking tartan.

... I've worked my answer down to something short, sweet & to the point....

I also believe that concise, succinct, wording is best. I'll throw in "Masculine, independant, proud."