Headline - Scots shocked at kilt discrimination

[James MacMillan]

Quote - I was at the wedding of a good friend at the weekend in Abu Dhabi. As the friend was Scottish it was decided by three of the wedding party that we would wear our traditional Scottish attire, the Kilt. The ceremony was in St Andrews church follwed by the reception at my friends home.
Later we decided to go to our local bar in the Al Ain Palace hotel. To our shock and horror the three Gentlemen in Kilts were refused entry. Not because we had to much to drink or were being abusive but because we were wearing Kilts. We tried to explain to the duty manager that this was our traditional dress but he would not allow us in.
So alas the wedding party went ahead without the men in "skirts" 1 gentleman decided to go home whilst my friend and I went to the nightclub in the Novatel where we were welcomed with open arms. This is the first time I have heard or experienced a Scotsman being refused entry to a bar because he was wearing a kilt. - Unquote

Source - ..here..

[sharpdressedscot]

After reading that, my mind is thinking of words I ain't gonna say on this site.

That's a huge load......

Isn't discrimination illegal? Or is that another thing.....

[James MacMillan]

What really got me was the last sentence!!!

"This is the first time I have heard or experienced a Scotsman being refused entry to a bar because he was wearing a kilt."

Now I know that there are some of us who don't drink - But if there is one place that a Scotsman feels at home, it's in a bar......and to be refused entry! But I also see that they didn't go home and change, they just found themselves another place to have a dram!

[mbhandy]

Remember what part of the world they were in Abu Dhabi. Not a BIG surprise.

MrBill

[McClef]

It's an Islamic country and interpretation of dress codes can be very conservative. There are some that don't allow alcohol so there wouldn't be a bar to refuse entry in the first place.

[Galician]

What the article doesn't explain is the basis for the denial of admission. It makes even less sense in an Arabic nation, since the traditional male attire there is an unbifurcated robe, plus it is very common for men in festive occasions to wear a ceremonial knife.

Might it have been the length of the kilt, allowing the legs to show?

[McMurdo]

It is a question of differing cultures to my eye, having said that I do recall Hamish posting a story about a young man in full P.C. Regalia being denied entry into a nightclub in Newcastle

Here is the link to that story

[auld argonian]

I had a couple of friends who worked as teachers in the Middle East and they told me about all of the special considerations that they had to make in order to respect the cultural sensitivities of their hosts. After listening to them, I came to the conclusion that there was NO WAY that I would have accepted a position like theirs...no matter what the advantages...money...whatever...I would have just looked elsewhere because in this day and age in ANY nation on the face of the Earth there should be an understanding that people have different customs and that they should, within reason, be accepted/tolerated/appreciated.

Sadly, the concept of "cultural sensitivity" seems to be one that resembles a one way street these days. I am particularly amused by some of these nations who want to look like players on the world's stage and want all of the modern trappings and luxuries and then still act like the clock froze in the year 1200 insofar as social and moral issues are concerned.

I have the luxury of living in a large and rather international city. Chicago has always been chock full of different ethnic groups and continues to welcome new immigrants who add to the fabric of the city. It's not unusual for me to see many people in outfits that identify their ethnicity during one trip downtown. I try to respect that and often have to ask friends and family who make disparaging comments about it to stop and consider it from a more cosmopolitan point of view.

I remember having seen a TV documentary about some of the Middle eastern countries. The inhabitants scrupulously observed a dress code within the boundaries of their own nations and wore their djelebas and burkas and whatever...but once they got on a plane outta there, they raced to change into "western" clothing...and very recognizably EXPENSIVE DESIGNER "western" clothing, at that.

Fancy that.

Best

AA

[highlander_Daz]

As we are all ambassabors for the Kilt, and its a tough one to swallow, but if its a cultural issue
with the bare legs etc, Id be inclined to accept it.

I wouldnt bare the soles of my feet in Thailand or flash tatoos in Japan.

and a private club is entitled to impose its own rules. Its a tough one to swallow but not all countries have the freedoms we take for granted.

[Alaskan Kilted Guy]

In the best interest of staying within the rules I have agreed to abide by here at this forum, I decline to comment.