To Wear A Tartan.

[Mike1]

Imagine, though, how the clans with really unattractive tartans must feel, though...I mean some tartans are just pretty darn out there visually...everybody wants the pretty ones but who wants the weird ones?

I think this is where you start to lose me in your explanation. Whether non-traditionalists like it or not, some of us proudly wear the tartan that we are entitled to wear, because it identifies us for who we are.

Personally, I don't give a whit what tartan people choose to wear or not wear. I wear a tartan that is identified with my family. And whether someone thinks it is attractive or not makes no difference to me, it is the tartan of my family.

My surname is only five letters and is always mis-spelled and mis-pronounced, so does that make it 'wierd'? Maybe to some it does, but it is my name and I don't care to have a 'prettier' one.

Since we're putting voice to our opinions, I am of the opinion some people spend entirely too much time debating non-issues.

[macwilkin]

I think this is where you start to lose me in your explanation. Whether non-traditionalists like it or not, some of us proudly wear the tartan that we are entitled to wear, because it identifies us for who we are.

Personally, I don't give a whit what tartan people choose to wear or not wear. I wear a tartan that is identified with my family. And whether someone thinks it is attractive or not makes no difference to me, it is the tartan of my family.

Hear, Hear, Mike.

Regards,

Todd

[auld argonian]

I think this is where you start to lose me in your explanation. Whether non-traditionalists like it or not, some of us proudly wear the tartan that we are entitled to wear, because it identifies us for who we are.

...but, once again, I said that in jest and just can't bring myself to stick those cute little winking smiley faces in the text.

But it does draw the distinction between those with serious intentions like yourself and those who approach it on a superficial level. There are those who research this because they have a genuine desire on a deep level to get in touch with their ancestry and use the knowledge to support their identity. But there are those who just want another tag to pin on themselves...another bit of windowdressing to make them "special". I see this a lot...lots of people who claim an ethnic identity and when you start discussing it with them you see that they know little or nothing about the history of their people or - worse yet - have a shipload of misinformation about them.

My quip aside...yeah, if it's your tartan, it's your tartan...I respect that, wear it well.

As to whether this is a "non-issue" or not...it's a discussion. While you may feel that it is unimportant, it's obvious that there are participants who do want to express their views and who want to read other participant's views on the subject. It's obvious that there is no one correct answer here but it's interesting to see where everyone is coming from.

Best

AA

[Aggie]

James,

Your first post didn't cover all the territory of good tartan manners which left me somewhat confused. Just how close must a family relation be to justify wearing a particular tartan? I can tell you that I do not refuse to attend a family reunion or talk to certain family members because they are on my mother's side or because they're too distant in their relationship. So I have no problem considering myself family to all relations of my great grandfather on my mother's side no matter the distance. You and I may disagree on this.

You have repeatedly made the point that wearing of the clan tartans should have meaning and connection and I agree with you. I support your right to make that point again and again even though more than a few here think your beating a dead horse. Realize when your making your point that most here feel much the same as you and we are not all that far apart. However, not being exactly the same attitude as you does not make everyone else unmannered.