Daughter's objection to the kilt - need advice.

**Mike_Oettle** · 10th April 13, 11:31 AM

Cherokee, is it, Bren? Then you will have to get a kilt in the Cherokee tartan.
Regards,
Mike

**Alan H** · 10th April 13, 12:35 PM

Think of the lesson that you will teach your kids, if you wear your kilt quietly and with pride, no matter what they or anybody else thinks.

It would be an entirely different lesson, if you were to wear it and be combative and aggressive about it. However, if you just strap it on without making a big fuss, look reasonably presentable, and act with honor and kindness, then your kids WILL learn, whether they die a thousand deaths from embarrassment or not.

Look at it this way. Isn't it embarrassing when your kids do (fill in the blanks) ______________. Well they just go ahead and DO that anyway, right? So turnabouts' fair play!

**ForresterModern** · 10th April 13, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

Sounds like you need to tell the Cherokee side of your family about Principal Chief John Ross, who was more Scottish than Cherokee. After the Trail of Tears, he raised $200 in the 1840s for Scottish famine relief, given the strong ties between the Scots and Cherokees. There's even a Cherokee tartan.

T.

I may have to do the same as I am 1/16th Cherokee (eastern) myself, having a great-great-grandmother named Betty Dove. Your post sent me off to Scotweb to see the Cherokee tartan for myself, and I like it, particularly in Weaver's colours, but also Ancient and Reproduction as shown by Dalgleish's computer generated images. Thanks Todd.

**Nathan** · 11th April 13, 11:38 AM

Hmmm.. in my family, my dad taught me to respect my Highland heritage and I did. He exposed me to music, tartan, Clan and immediate family history, Cape Breton Island history etc...

Although he didn't own a kilt, he wore (and wears) his tartan waistcoats with pride.

Then at 12, I joined an army cadet corps that was affiliated to the local Highland regiment. I played snare drum in a pipe band briefly, went to Scottish concerts, ceilidhs etc. Then, Celtic music enjoyed a bit of a boom and local musicians enjoyed some national international success. This filled me with pride and motivated me to get even more into the culture and learn the tunes and songs etc...

You can see kilts at many (though far from all) Scottish events around Cape Breton. To me, it was just a natural part of life. So, like others have said, just be yourself about it and be proud. Pride is infectious.

In addition to that, I would also get involved with the broader Scottish culture where you live. Join the local St. Andrews Society, attend Burns dinners, Highland Games etc... if there are any ceilidhs, go to them.

If you integrate your family into the local Scottish community (assuming there is one), your daughter will meet people her age that are also proud of their Scottish roots. Admittedly, this is much easier to do in Cape Breton than it is in some other places, but I have found that the blood is strong and when you go looking, you can find little pockets of Scots doing Scottish things in most parts of North America.

If that fails, take the family to Cape Breton in October for the Celtic Colours Festival. They'll be hooked for sure. ;)

**TheOfficialBren** · 11th April 13, 12:23 PM

Actually, Cajunscot, my sister was intrigued by Chief John Ross' story (he was 1/8 Cherokee, 7/8 Scottish; regarded as the greatest of the Cherokee chiefs during that period). She is very much a mptivator to pursue all sides of our heritage: Scottish, Cherokee, English, and Irish. I have to admit that the Scottish heritage holds more appeal but probably because I was raised in a family with many idiosyncracies that seem to be more common in the Gaelic countries. Turns of phrase, daily habits, and the like are typical of my 70-year-old father's upbringing in the mountains of Arkansas and Kentucky.

Also:
The Cherokee tartan is GORGEOUS...and very expensive!! I envision it box pleated in my distant future.

I aplogise for hijacking, mate.

Also, Chuck, you probably are thair favourite uncle.

Chas, cool IS overrated.

**Alan H** · 11th April 13, 02:44 PM

This sort of answer comes up all the time....

OP: My son/daughter/sister-in-law/boss/fill-in-the-blank doesn't like it when I wear a kilt.

Good-hearted X Marker: Tell them about Viscount Schmabooley and his service in the Peshawaddy/Some Cherokee Indian Chief in 1820/The Ladies from Hell/you-name-it .... boy, THAT will teach them.

I mean, c'mon. What 11-year old gives a rip about some long-dead viscount/enlisted guy/Indian Chief? Yes, they are great stories about great men and women but no 11-year old could care less. They care about what the other guys/girls who are 11 years old think, or what they saw the hero wear in their video Game.

Now when Junior grows up to be in their 30's that might change. maybe. BTW, your sister-in-law doesn't care about the Viscount and his service in the peshawaddy, either. She just thinks you look like an idiot.

**TheOfficialBren** · 11th April 13, 04:45 PM

Alan, you raise some valid points but I would suggest amending that to say that *most* will not care. Some children/relatives/employers/et al are not complete philistines about such things. In my personal experience I have found more people to generally be curious rather than rude.

**Father Bill** · 11th April 13, 05:04 PM

I spent a lot of years with hundreds of kids that age. They're generally a lot brighter than folks think they are. The trick is to find out what's important to them and see if there's a natural (not forced) link to what they care about. If she's really proud of the Cherokee part, then the Scottish/Cherokee link might intrigue her. Otherwise . . .

**tpa** · 11th April 13, 05:35 PM

When my kids were in their teens, it was considered embarrassing by them, particularily my son, to be seen by their peers out and about with their Dad, kilted or otherwise. So if you are going to be an embarrassment to them anyway, you may as well do it in style. They will get their own back with piercings, tattoos or hairstyles eventually anyway; or just wearing jeans half way down their backsides or skirts much shorter than their legs and shape justify.

**TheOfficialBren** · 11th April 13, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by Father Bill

I spent a lot of years with hundreds of kids that age. They're generally a lot brighter than folks think they are. The trick is to find out what's important to them and see if there's a natural (not forced) link to what they care about. If she's really proud of the Cherokee part, then the Scottish/Cherokee link might intrigue her. Otherwise . . .

Padre:
1) I agree. Kids can be as sharp as a tack when they want to be.

2) I think you misunderstood. My sister is intrigued by the Scottish-Cherokee connection. She just prefers the Cherokee cultural aestheics while I prefer the Scottish. It's not out of disrespect but out of sheer afinity and interest.