I think this place has developed entirely too much angst...

[Bugbear]

I've read this thread just now, Rex, but decline to comment further on the grounds that I will piss off at least a third of the entire site. Suffice it to say that Panache is reasonably accurate with his analysis, though I well understand that nobody on this forum or anywhere else, no matter what title they may have, or may pretend to have, can tell me....or anybody else...what they will wear. Everyone where is entitled to express their opinion regarding "kilts" as long as it's done with a reasonable degree of civility and respect for others.

I think it best if I retire to the Athletics forum, with occasional forays into the DIY.

Good luck, Alan. I know first hand how difficult it is to limit oneself to a small part of the forum, or even a couple of threads.

[Jock Scot]

ALAN H.

I think it would be a real shame if you limited yourself to certain parts of this website. Your post here has generated a lot of food for thought and I for one have enjoyed the cut and thrust of a very interesting discussion.You have your thoughts ,as we all do,and I think that sometimes it is healthy for some one to be brave enough to voice what some of us may actually be thinking,but for various reasons have not got round to voicing. Eleven pages of discussion, not argument, can't be bad, can it? Keep going laddie!

[Redshank]

Though I have never met him, I like Alan H, I like him a lot, he is a very genuine man, stands proudly for his beliefs and doesn't suffers fools gladly, and there are a great many of those in the world. Alan H speaks his mind, and quite rightly so, he has my upmost respect as he has sided with my outspoken opinions on more than one occassion in the past, so I will throw in my 2 cents worth having taken the time to thoroughly read through this thead from start to page 11, I cant help but notice 1 thing, a thing that has struck me and bugged me ever since joining this and other kilt forums, and scorn and vitriol will no doubt follow my comments, but it's blatantly apparent to my eyes that there are 2 distinct schools of thought on this forum, 1) The American Way, 2) The Scottish Way, neither are wrong in their ways but it's what causes the conflict, those that live, work and play in their home country of Scotland know and understand the conventions of tradditional highland dress, and if they so choose to flaunt or bend these so called rules it's more or less accepted, few here in Scotland would consider it or realise it was bad form to wear the PC at a 2pm wedding, it's our National dress, we respect it, wear it, mostly incorrectly, but we enjoy it, but the American way can be overly pretentious, way to correct and not relaxed, part of this oh so politically correct world I suppose, I just wonder if there is a forum here in Great Britian that caters for C&W music fans and if they have the same pretentious attidudes to wearing the Stetson hat, levi's and Colt 45 Oh the great pond, Oh the great divide, few will meet in the middle, but those that do have the right attitude, Alan H's attitude........... RELAX

[Panache]

I dance, sometimes sing, and teach swordsmanship ( Japanese style mind you ) but I would never ca,, myself a gentleman. LOL.

Well you just need to work on your poetry skills and then you will be all set!

I believe there was a phrase concerning the samurai about the need to balance one's martial skills with those of composition. As I recall it translated to

"pen and sword in accord"


Sadly I can't recall the book I read this in, it may have been in the forward to my copy of The Book of Five Rings.

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[CMcG]

<snip>

I think it best if I retire to the Athletics forum, with occasional forays into the DIY.

That would be a shame because, I for one, welcome the voice of opposition, even on the traditional side of the forum. I may be new to posting here but I've been following the discussions for quite some time... it seems that it's something like a democratic necessity to have alternative viewpoints. This is especially true for the leagues of folk who arrive at XMTS as their point of entry into the world of kilts.

[dfmacliam]

Redshanks, I believe you hit the nail on the head.. People are trying to connect with their roots, and try very hard to be sure they get it right.. and at times, overkill is the result.. its not a bad thing, because they want to show respect.. just not always practical.

[Snowbear]

When I grew up I had a lot of martial arts training from the very beginning. I leard something there that actual reflects the way I'm wearing my kilt (or anything else). When you dress up for meeting someone, you make sure to do it well and that it looks good. The reason is to show respect to yourself and to the others. When you dress nicely you will show respect and gain respect. (this also works with everything else, such as language, friendlyness, etc.)

[kiltedwolfman]

Hehe, Jamie I've actually had poetry published some years ago, but it has been ages since I've written in earnest. Perhaps I should get back to it.
Musashi Sensei said in his 8 rules that a warrior must know the ways of all worlds in order to be considered a complete warrior. This has often times been interpreted in a strict martial sence but it also means that a warrior needs to be a romantic ( and not in the lovey dovey sence LOL) as well as a fighter in order to truly appreciate the fullness that life has to offer.
Now back to the topic at hand. I often wonder if those who first took up the plaid and wrapped it around themselves would in any way recognise the garment that has caused such a stir in so many people? Years and years ago someone thought that if they put a large heel on a boot it would stop it from slipping through the stirrup of a saddle, thus began the "cowboy" boot. And like the kilt I wonder if the first actual "cowboys" would recognise what we consider a cowboy today? IMHO I think they would simply sigh and exclaim " I never saw it going that way!"

[Smayniac]

Well you just need to work on your poetry skills and then you will be all set!

I believe there was a phrase concerning the samurai about the need to balance one's martial skills with those of composition. As I recall it translated to

"pen and sword in accord"


Sadly I can't recall the book I read this in, it may have been in the forward to my copy of The Book of Five Rings.

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

I have to believe you are right about it being from Musashi, I was rereading it recently and remember that quote as well. Scooby has been flexing his poetic muscles each week in a spelling exercise and is really enjoying the process.
Bob

[MacRobert's Reply]

Isms are not all bad

Rules can sound like dogmatism;
Labels, like consumerism;
And
Kilted fundamentalism,
All stifle individualism.
But
Learning from traditionalism,
Avoids excessive egoism;
And
The kilt is a Scotticism,
Rich in ancient symbolism.
But
Let’s avoid colonialism;
Make room for expressionism;
And
Celebrating modernism;
Foster kilted pluralism.
So
Some will council gradualism;
Others promote radicalism;
But
Let’s season both with witticism –
Ensure this thread does not cause schism.

IMHO

PS My singing and dancing also leave much to be desired.