Dear Deirdre - Am I too sensitive?

**English Bloke** · 11th October 08, 08:09 PM

Well today was a blast. Went to the shops with my beautiful wife, my super son (20y/o) and gorgeous daughter (2y/o - as previously seen on show us yer pics!). I was wearing my Black Watch and usual scruffy bloke stuff.

Met a nice English Bloke who came up to me to ask why I wasn't wearing a sgian dhu and what was the legality there-in. Told him that as it's a three inch blade it's OK but the hassle of explaining to the 'Old Bill' why I need to carry it is the hard part and combined with a personal aversion to youth knife crime means I never wear one. He told me he used to own a factory that made ladies jackets and skirts and Black Watch was thier most popular line... I didn't take it personally.

I next met a Scottish woman who rushed up to me to ask if I'd been watching 'the game' (Scotland / Norway) when I replied 'No' she looked me up and down with disgust and said "yurrr not even scottish". I acceded to this without further debate. Couldn't really be arsed!

Proceeded to the Supermarket and fortunately the spinning heads and double takes didn't require any immobilisation of vertebral fractures or emergency Resus. One bloke was right on the edge of verbal abuse but I think he bottled it when returned 'the eye'!! No actual confrontation but a look is a look and it was enough to stress me. I hate people who look down thier noses at others particularly when those others are me.

Beautiful wifey and I went out later to watch a pub gig. Decided to go in trousers following the afternoon's near miss. Didn't fancy a repeat while I might possibly be full and my lovely wife thought it better not to 'push the envelope' (and other PC management speak) She's right of course. It would probably have gone horribly pear shaped. Wish I had gone Kilted though as a great night was had in what in hindsight would have been a very kilt friendly environment.

No accounting for some peoples tastes eh?

So wassup with somefolks?... It must be just MY midlife crisis!!

**george7** · 11th October 08, 09:34 PM

That doesn't sound like the England portrayed in American cinema. I think you had a fluke day and I bet you can remember back to a day when you had three compliments instead of insults.

**randal** · 11th October 08, 09:37 PM

Seems like in my area of Oregon (REDNECKS), people think the kilt is really cool when it's worn for a special occassion. Yet try and wear it to the market... well that's another story! I feel your pain.

**English Bloke** · 11th October 08, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by Carolina Kiltman

... I personally feel that ... If you are looking to be insulted or offended, then you will be.

Carolina Kiltman (an opinion I respect greatly) has captured it beautifully on another thread.

See? It was my bad day and MY midlife crisis.

How much is a Harley Davidson?

**george7** · 11th October 08, 10:03 PM

Funny thing is, midlife crisis here usually involve acquiring an antique British motorcycle or sportscar... so that's where the antique American Harleys have gone to.

Originally Posted by English Bloke

Carolina Kiltman (an opinion I respect greatly) has captured it beautifully on another thread.

See? It was my bad day and MY midlife crisis.

How much is a Harley Davidson?

**Highlander31** · 11th October 08, 11:34 PM

I've had a few like that. I have come to consider those moments as a test of my ability to hold my temper.

**Tetley** · 11th October 08, 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by English Bloke

... One bloke was right on the edge of verbal abuse but I think he bottled it when returned 'the eye'!! No actual confrontation but a look is a look and it was enough to stress me. I hate people who look down thier noses at others particularly when those others are me.

Remember, people's perceived notions of superiority are perceived only by them. Be gently with these poor misfortunates, he was probably having a bad hair day on top of it all.

This probably applies to the Scottish lady as well.

**ChattanCat** · 12th October 08, 05:51 AM

With my stature, I only get rude comments directed at my back. They're too afraid to look me in my eye. If they did, they would get a hole burned right thru to the back of the skull. It's all about attitude.

**beowulf67** · 13th October 08, 10:34 AM

I can understand being slightly offended by the Scottish ladies actions, or the looks some people can give you, but I honestly don't see what the first guy said that would be at all offensive. Was it because he said the ladies preferred Black Watch for their items? I fear I'm missing something subtly British here.

**Dirk Skene** · 13th October 08, 10:55 AM

The former fellow may have just been refering to the fact that the Black Watch was a popular pattern and he ment nothing by it. Don'no you are the better judge. The woman seemed to be offended that you wern't her countryman but had on her countries traditional garb. That confuses me becauses I am exactly the opposite.

We're mavericks. It'll be a nice day when most or at least a lot of men go kilted and it is not so much an oddity. Untill then I guess we'll just have to put up with ignorance and stupidity

I am kilted so often now that folks find it odd when they see me in trousers. If you see me in them I am either on my way to work, at work, or I haven't been home from work yet.