Please explain...

[Racer96]

All I have to say is,

1) I have no need to explain why I wear a kilt.

and

2) If it ticks you off (original poster) , well, I feel pity for you.

Mike

[Mike1]

OK, it appears it is time for me to rant a bit.

This forum is made up of individuals that wear only tartan kilts, individuals that wear only contemporary, non-tartan kilts, individuals that wear both styles of kilts and even those individuals that wear no kilts at all.

Scarcely a day goes by without a member posting how he is looking for tolerance from today's society, as he wears his kilt/s.

Yet, every time this discussion crops up (and it seemingly happens all too often, in my not-so-humble opinion), all of these individuals seeking tolerance from others turn into intolerant, bickering nags.

"That's not a kilt, kilts are made from tartan."

"That's not a 'real' kilt, as 'real' kilts are all hand-sewn."

"That's not a kilt, as 'real' kilts are all made in Scotland."

"That's not a kilt, a 'real' kilt costs $600+."

There are days when this place sounds like a hen house with all the clucking going on. Somehow, a community that was designed for men who wear and appreciate kilts becomes a bitch-fest for those that want to cram their personal opinions down another's throat.

We all have our own opinion of what constitutes a good meal, a good evening on the town, good music, good art and every other aspect of our lives that we are blessed to be able to make our own choices about. And from where I sit, that includes the personal definition of a kilt.

I own a charcoal Freedom Kilt that is every bit as much a kilt as my tartan kilts. In my own opinion, of course. Perhaps you have a different opinion, but the truth of the matter is your opinion means nothing to me. <shrug> You're quite entitled to have your opinion, just as I am, myself.

However, when you cross over the line of common courtesy to tell me my charcoal kilt is not a kilt, stand prepared for the equally impolite response you will hear. When you start paying for my garments, then I'll consider wearing what you want me to wear. Until then...

We are all different. That's part of the design process, we were meant to be that way. As such, we all have different likes and dislikes. Get used to it. Or get over it. Either way, learn to get along and tolerate another individual's opinions and choices.

I'm curious about something - every time one of these contentious 'What makes a kilt a kilt' or 'What makes a Scot a Scot' threads shows up on the forum, can you hear the collective groan coming from the forum staff members?

So please take the time to think about any response you want to add to this thread. If you feel it is remotely contentious, then do everyone a favor and keep it to yourself. It's all about tolerance.

[davedove]

I'm curious about something - every time one of these contentious 'What makes a kilt a kilt' or 'What makes a Scot a Scot' threads shows up on the forum, can you hear the collective groan coming from the forum staff members?

I don't think the groaning comes just from the forum staff, Mike. I think a lot of the regular members groan as well.

[Jerry]

"Groan" Personally, I have yet to wear a tartan kilt which doesn't have a connection to my family(McNeill and Gordon). I do own a Stillwater black shadow tartan kilt, a Stillwater solid black economy and A Blackwatch Sport kilt. The last two are worn around home for tasks such as feeding my poultry flock and such that I wouldn't wear my Mac Newsome Macneil of Barra to do. Personally, I feel that they are kilts. Would I wear a Utilikilt, or the Hot topic thing. No I would not. Does this make them not kilts. No it doesn't, they are just kilts that I do not like for myself. Would I wear other contemporary kilts. Yes, I would love to have a Freedom Kilt Dress model, and if I ever get off my u know what and start on it, I have 5 yards of heavyweight gray denim to attempt an Xkilt. Would I wear the Xkilt out anywhere. Well, that depends on how well I do at putting the thing together. As many others in this thread and in many many others since I joined here in '04, wear what you want and if others choose to wear something different or for reasons other than yours, then respect their choices.