Kilt wearer banned...

[JerseyLawyer]

I'm assuming, since I can't see the article at work, that he's just wearing a "regular" kilt of some variety, in which case calling it "fancy dress" (that is, a costume, and in the Dracula for Halloween, not in the "it's our national costume" sense) is offensive. Like many kinds of trousers, a kilt can be "smart" or casual or downright sloppy depending on the accessories.

Now, if he has a swath of plaid fabric draped around him, is barefoot, not wearing a shirt, has his face painted, and is festooned with highland weaponry, then I might agree that it's fancy dress and not entirely appropriate. (You know you've seen these people at highland games. Don't deny it! ;) )

[Captain Karrot]

To me, wearing pants is just plain stupid, so wearing the kilt is smart dress!

[Rampant Lion]

The article that the link links to seems to be cut off. The article for me gets cut off at:

"The pub’s manager said: “The dress code at the weekend has changed since the refurbishment three weeks ago. We now don’t allow any "

Then it just goes to the comments.

[O'Callaghan]

Pubs always used to be split into mutiple bars, normally at least a public bar and a saloon. It was always understood that you could wear literally anything in the public bar, but that you could be asked to leave the other bar if you weren't smartly dressed. The modern trend is to knock through the dividing walls to make one large bar. Usually this just means you can't wear work clothes that are dirty and might mark the furniture, which has always been OK in a public bar. OTOH, actual smart clothing has only ever been required where there is another separate bar, AFAIK, until now at least.

I have never before heard of anyone being told that he wasn't in smart dress because he was wearing a kilt. Boots, yes, and I understand he was wearing boots, but not because of wearing a kilt. In the past you would just move to the public bar and grumble if they didn't like what you were wearing, but being thrown out completely is on a different level. Putting it into perspective, even bikers in leather jackets and jeans can use the saloon in most places, although being relegated to the public bar or even not served atall is not unknown. With so many pubs going broke there are new chains coming in and buying them up, and I think this particular chain is trying to change existing (and in fact quite ancient) customs concerning dress code.

[gilmore]

I received this from an email I sent to several executives of the Newcastle City Council:

"Dear XXX,



Our website provides information for the benefit of tourists and visitors, but does not endorse particular premises. I hope you can find an alternative place that will prove enjoyable on your next visit.



David Slater

Executive Director of Environment & Regeneration



Newcastle City Council

Civic Centre

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE1 8QN



T: +44 (0) 0191 277 8900

F: +44 (0) 0191 211 4935



email: david.slater@newcastle.gov.uk

website: http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/



Please consider the environment before printing this email.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: XXXXXXX
Sent: 29 September 2008 06:35
To: Slater, David
Subject: stop anti-Scots discrimination



I am disappointed to see that the Newcastle City Council's website lists a pub, Blackie Boy, that discriminates against Scots, according to this article: http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/new...Tartan_bitter/



I will certainly take that fact into consideration when travelling in NE England.



Most sincerely,



XXXXXX"


I was surprised at the tone. Most civil servants and elected officials here in the US would have been a quite a bit more conciliatory.

[Tommy Hunt]

I'm afraid that report is over eight years old, Tommy! Howie was making pockets for mobile phones, etc. in his '21st Century Kilts' some time before that article was published - it wasn't exactly hot news then.

Take care,
Ham.

Well I guess those pockets are quite a bit smaller now heh heh...