Clan Tartan Appropriateness

[Riverkilt]

Okay,

I would think it an unreasonable expectation of myself to expect that other people would have any clue about my clan tartan being "my" tartan, and honor the traditions they've never heard of - or even care about my traditions.

So, what starts the ball rolling for me is my expectation that the other guy would even have a clue. So the "problem" would be my erroneous expectations of others and any anger or irritation that would arise from those expectations.

Better just to accept that others have no clue and be glad to see the tartan flying in public than to get into a twit over what I think the other guy should do.

Some years back at a highland games a guy came up to me and berated me for wearing my Macdonald Lord of the Isle kilt. He said that was reserved for the head of the clan and I had no right to wear it. My response was a common two word response to insults. I mentioned that someone must have forgotten to tell the mills since the tartan was woven in quantity and made up into kilts, neckties, et.al. on a regular basis. I have a necktie in the tartan that I bought back in the 60s.

This guy's expectation was that I would somehow know his version of tradition and honor it and when I didn't, it angered him....his issue, not mine.

I did follow up with the Clan and all the officers assured me anyone can wear Macdonald Lord of the Isles tartan. I learned a couple years later at the same games that he'd been asked not to come around the clan tent since he was so judgemental of others based on his own unusual expectations.

Point is, it starts in me - my expectations of others...it doesn't start with them doing something "wrong" with intention.