Reality Check

[Sammac]

Ron, sometimes enthusiasm can be be miss read. I like the fact that you left out the PM itself which shows a respect for others feelings. It sounds like you might have to agree to disagree which not a bad road at times. I like hearing about different kiltmakers so when it is time to purchase I can try to make an informed choice. Some may only use kiltmaking members,some not. I value the input of you and other members on this forum, it has been and continue's to be a fun learning experience.

[Riverkilt]

Focus....the PMs continue behind the scenes. My intent in this reality check is to give those who the author of the PM said thought I was foolish a chance to come straight out and give me some direct feedback instead of getting a PM from a friend saying many guys are telling him I'm making a fool of myself when I post about Kathy as a kiltmaker or suggest that someone looking to buy a hand sewn kilt include Kathy in their search.

That's what's baffling me...was hoping for that direct feedback. Of course appreciate the support. I've been a street cop, Marine, rolled with fire, and underground miner, worked psych wards, State prisons, and mobile crisis, I can handle feedback.

Not that I much care about other folks opinions of me at this stage of my life...but willing to listen.

Was also informed that someone called the Keith Kilt School and found out that there are about 8 graduates in the U.S. and 6 in Canada - or vice versa. Now I'm wondering where those kiltmakers are and why they're not members of the forum too.

This thread has been respectful so far and I'm hoping it stays that way. Don't see a need to close it. I'm guessing it'll die out in time.

And for sure don't wanna post the entire PM here - it was a PM but needed to post some of what was said to get feedback.

And, as often mentioned above, is it appropriate to mention kilt related vendor's products and skills who are not also members or sponsors of this forum? We'd sure limit ourself if we didn't. We certainly have the maturity to respectfully confront shortcomings of some member and sponsor vendors from time to time.

As promised went back and looked at my posts. Went back a month which was 100 posts. Mentioned Kathy as an option to check out to four folks looking for hand sewn kiltmakers. Just include her in your selection process. I had a "me too" post to Joel's thread after he posted pics of his new Isle of Skye from Kathy. And on a jacket post I mentioned I obtained my Lochcarron made-to-measure argylls through "my kiltmaker" without using her name since that wasn't important... Any kiltmaker can do the same and order through Lochcarron.

And, though I don't think the above posts are excessive - I have remembered back to when I first heard about USA Kilts and there was a forum member who lived near Phillie and was forever posting about Rocky....and I remember thinking no one can be that good. Then I broke down and tried a USA Kilt and now I've owned over 20 of them. I'm sure glad I didn't institute contempt prior to investigation based on being sick of all those USA Kilt posts.

My Medicare card arrived in the mail today. I'm gonna go contemplate that milestone for a while.

[Zardoz]

You know Ron, I've read your posts for years and though it's obvious that you love your Lare kilts, I would have bet that you mention USA Kilts more! I know that I have found the recommendations of forum members useful in the past, and would never think anyone foolish for mentioning their favorite kiltmakers or vendors. This stuff can get expensive, and the word of "a man that owns one" goes a long way!

I hope I don't get a PM about posting too many pictures of my girls!

[Morris at Heathfield]

All this talk about Kathy Lare has me itching to go on a road trip to Utah.

*shakes piggy bank*

*sigh*

[Streetcar]

...I hope I don't get a PM about posting too many pictures of my girls!

I meant to talk to you about that.

Wait a minute, did I hit the PM button or the Quick Post button?

[wildrover]

is it appropriate to mention kilt related vendor's products and skills who are not also members or sponsors of this forum?

I think it is perfectly appropriate. Much of the new products we (other forums) find out about are through word of mouth, not through advertising, particularly when the product is a classic cottage (or garage, considering where I usually hang out) industry. Personally I don't know of any online community which "whitelists" reviews or commentary only to products from paid advertisers. On some, vendors are restricted from advertising in posts if they are not a paying advertiser on the site, but that does not extend to members, nor are those non-paying (but participating) vendors restricted from providing technical advice whether in relation to their own product or general with regard to the application.

Hope that made sense.

-Sean

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Ron, you've submitted three posts to this thread. Those three posts contain 14 direct, named references to your favorite kilt maker. Have you over done it? In my opinion, at least in this instance, yes.

[ForresterModern]

Ron

I think you have stirred a pot much larger than the one you originally intended and have unleashed some strong feelings from a variety of folks, many, many in support of you and your support of Kathy Lare as a quality kiltmaker, myself included. Unfortunately you have also stirred the emotions of some others who disagree openly with your opinions, your style of communication, and your judgement in doing so, which IMHO is off topic from your original post. In reading these last couple pages since my last post I have been bothered by some of the things others have said about you and what a "counselor" such as yourself should and should not do or know in regards communication, etc..., comments I think are a bit ludicrous honestly, but comments I respect simply becasue they are those of another person's opinion.

Simply stated I think we have gone far astray here. Personally I think the PM probably was uncalled for, although I do not know what was precisely said or how, leaving us all less than fully informed, but that was probably necessary to maintain the privacy of the sender, something I respect.

I don't think the issue of whether Kathy is a member of the forum is at all relevant, any more so than her race or religion are. She is simply a kiltmaker, a good one, who chooses freely to NOT be a forum member contributor. Nor should that matter when it comes to whether or not we as individual members here suggest her by name any more than any other vendor, whether or not they are a sponsor of this particular forum. Folks here buy things from members of the forum who are artisans, as well as vendors who are or are not members based on the price and quality of their goods.

I would say you have had a good experience with kathy lare, you personally like her work and recommend it to others, you (to my knowledge) have not particularly slammed anybody else's work by doing so, simply provided your opinions about hers, which is what an open "forum" is about.

I personally think it is time to shut this thread down, whether everybody thinks they have had their say or not. I think we are getting far astray from your original intent. Put it down, let it lay. people will be people and there is no way to restrict that, just tolerate it as part of our price of the freedom of speech and move on. I think you are a strong and considerate member of the forum with valuable and (generally) valued opinions that have a right to be aired openly, as you have and do, and I hope continue to do.

One man's O.

Your friend

Jeff

[English Bloke]

I'm with you Ron. Wait while I get my pitchfork.

[CooperWallace]

*bows to Riverkilt*
Man, you are the reason I have posted here and the reason I own 2 Kathy Lare's. Please keep sharing.