Kilts And Giving Service - Is There A Connection?

[dfmacliam]

I think once you experience life at its worst... you really do not care what others think about your choices... sometimes I think so many want to be kilted, but are hesitant, because of what others might say... so they don't..
If you been around kilting all of your life, or if its a common sight around your childhood.. the choice of wearing a kilt is not that big of a deal..
If you live in rural areas of the States, or any other place in the world, where anything other than whats considered normal, is frowned upon.. so it is a very big step.
I used to worry about everything.. what people thought about me... then in 1983 I experienced two suicide bombers.. first hand.. I saw death in a large scale.. and I was meant to be a target (I as in, being a Marine).. it changes your perspective.. I realize that I am judged by something more important, than the average person on the street.. its not that their opinion matters.. its just I do not allow it to shape my life.. soooo....
That is why I choose to wear a kilt... and how I choose to wear my kilt... and even which kilt I choose to wear...

[dfmacliam]

"Maybe a better way to phrase it would be men who know the presence of death and the aura of death...men who've put their life at risk, face death, and see death."

Hey...on city council I face death. You ever tell a lady senior citizen the city plans to raise their water and sewer rates? Looking death right in the eye my friend....

You have to have a strong character to work in politics.. where every aspect of your life is under the microscope.. where even the choices you make are scrutinized by little old ladies who do not care about the overall picture, but their picture.. you have to learn tact...its not an easy job... and few can be successful.. my hat is off to you , Sir

[Highland Logan]

Maybe a better way to phrase it would be men who know the presence of death and the aura of death...men who've put their life at risk, face death, and see death.

I was a Cold Warrior...didn't happen for me in my time in the military. Came after as a police officer during the riots of the 60s and on the street. Death is always a risk working underground. The Fire Service faces death nearly every day. Search and Rescue is a fight with death. Death is a real risk and a real presence in corrections service....and fighting death is the core of healthcare.

As grizzled and hardened as police officers and firefighters can be I've seen the toughest weep at the death of a child. These same men kilt up with pride.

For me, to me, there just seem to be more men who wear kilts that serve in professions where death is a presence than kilted men who don't work/serve in harm's way.

And, for sure, a nod to the cultural piece of work in the fields of service to others.

Ron

Ron it seems like you are trying to fit too many possible people into this idea to get the answer you want to hear. If you had stuck with the concept of Highlanders and serving in the Forces, I could see the point to your question... but you're over stretching and watering it down so that any point would be meaningless.

Frank

[Kid Cossack]

For me, service came first, kilts came later. I had a lot of reasons to join the USMC, but they came down to, first, recognizing how lucky I was to have been born in the USA, and wanting, in my way, to give something back ("Not on my watch, buster!"), and second, hoping to get a chance to learn a language.

I think there is a connection there, however fuzzy and romantic it might be, but it's not a completely overlapping set.

[Kiltman]

One of the most interesting question I've seen on this forum and four or five years! I don't think there's much doubt about the personalities of those of us who have served/are serving. We also respect tradition which accounts for the concern many have in being properly attired. How I dress is a matter of showing respect to myself and others and that's important to me. Few in the civilian world, my wife included, really understand why I consider it so important.

[johnnym]

Interesting dabate. Growing up I was never exposed to kilts or any other ethnic garb. I served over 20 years in the military (Air Force) and my only exposure was the occasional ceremonial pipe band. I became interested while studying family history. I have never thought about the relationships of personality and the kilt. The internet has provided the vehicle for investigating family history as well as Scottish customs - including the kilt. It has opened new worlds of information I never dreamed about while I was in school. I bought my first kilt at a Scottish Festival. All others thru internet sources.

[Swampthing]

I suppose it's something along the lines of "great minds think alike."

[Colonel MacNeal]

I think it is more of a case that outside Scotland, it takes a bold man to wear a kilt. Military personnel, firefighters, police, aren't the timid type, ergo bold. I don't think service has much to do with it.

[tetley88mark]

i agree with Colonel MacNeal, it takes a certain type of man to have the confidence to wear a kilt

just happens that type of man also tends to have the diligence to provide a service to the greater good

[Larry124]

I worked for 34 years in USA State Government Human Services.

As a (albeit minor) Public Official I could not and would not have worn a kilt to work. It would have been an inappropriate distraction.

Working in a Welfare Office is not generally life threatening, but the high workplace stress level from the often-difficult clientele (who desire more service) and from the (wise or otherwise) supervising political officials (seeking lower costs) is constant and never ending.

The common and frequent ridicule (and worse) of Civil Service employees is no fun either.

For those with much patience. And a relatively thick skin. Not for the shy or timid.
Like kilt wearing?

Other: Public sector people work hard. And play hard. Kilt wearing included?

Particularly for middle to late career employees, and/or as defined pension retirees, public sector folks often have more leisure time in which to play than those in private sector careers.

The trade-off: Historically private sector careers yield higher earnings.