The Importance of knowing the Rules of Kilted Fashion

[macwilkin]

Jock, have you not realised yet? We are two nations separated by a total lack of tradition, never mind a common language. You and I know perfectly well how to dress because that's what our parents and those before them showed us by their example. If you have ever been to America you will begin to realise that nothing is what it seems to be. French dressing (apologies here to Ancienne Alliance) in America is not a subtle blend of olive oil, wine vinegar and herbs - no - it is a raucous tomatoey concoction like nothing you have ever tasted before. The World Series superbowl isn't actually played in the world, only in America but, what the hell! Our traditions and values are not those found across the pond but instead are those created by a people divorced from their heritage by thousands of miles and hundreds of years at a time when interaction was impossible due to the communications of the age. So when you see the farragoes that purport to represent Scottish culture and tradition you must understand where they are coming from. I used to regularly encounter American tourists in Edinburgh in shorts, flowery shirts, swearing expletives uncontrollably - the whole panoply of execrable dress and behaviour and quietly shake my head in pity. And yet they probably thought they were the greatest thing since sliced bread because everybody in Poughkeepsie dresses like this and for the greatest country in the world, well that must be good enough for everyone else.

Phil -- not everyone in America is like that, though. I cringe whenever I read such stereotypes of Americans, because quite frankly, I resent that I am represented by such folks.

I do hope you didn't mean this post to sound condescending towards your American cousins, but it sure does read that way.

Todd

[Phil]

Phil -- not everyone in America is like that, though. I cringe whenever I read such stereotypes of Americans, because quite frankly, I resent that I am represented by such folks.

I do hope you didn't mean this post to sound condescending towards your American cousins, but it sure does read that way.

Todd

Todd, I sometimes get carried away with myself but it is more down to frustration and certainly not condescension. I admire everything that America has achieved and many of my ancestors emigrated there so I have a vested interest too! The frustration comes from ignoring the traditions I was brought up with but I understand too that other societies have to evolve their own traditions in their own ways. Whether I agree is another matter and on that we may agree to disagree!

[macwilkin]

Todd, I sometimes get carried away with myself but it is more down to frustration and certainly not condescension. I admire everything that America has achieved and many of my ancestors emigrated there so I have a vested interest too! The frustration comes from ignoring the traditions I was brought up with but I understand too that other societies have to evolve their own traditions in their own ways. Whether I agree is another matter and on that we may agree to disagree!

Phil,

My point though was that not everyone in America ignores tradition. Many of us admire the customs and traditions of Scotland (and the rest of the UK, for that matter) and strive to keep them out of respect to the land from which they came.

Regards,

Todd

[Phil]

Phil,

My point though was that not everyone in America ignores tradition. Many of us admire the customs and traditions of Scotland (and the rest of the UK, for that matter) and strive to keep them out of respect to the land from which they came.

Regards,

Todd

Well then we truly are "brithers" as Burns would have said.