No Kilts seen in Scotland!

[OC Richard]

I don't understand why just being in a kilt would put me among the ranks (of the Ugly Americans).

To flip it, what would a Texan think of seeing a Chinese tourist dressed head-to-toe in a gaudy cowboy outfit?

What would a Japanese think of seeing a European tourist dressed in a kimono and their hair done up 18th century style?

It's not "ugly" but it's strange, smacking of cultural appropriation and insensitivity.

[Arnot]

While not ashamed of my nationality I'm ashamed of the behaviour of many of my countrymen.

It's been a relief, in truth, to be mistaken for a Canadian while in the UK. For some reason I often am.

I get embarrassed by the behaviour of some people, but I don't get ashamed. It's their behaviour, not mine. People think that I'm Canadian quite regularly, Irish sometimes as well. I just say that I'm actually American. Luckily, most people have sense enough to judge me by my behaviour and not that of others they might have seen or some preconceived notion from TV.

[Tobus]

To flip it, what would a Texan think of seeing a Chinese tourist dressed head-to-toe in a gaudy cowboy outfit?

What would a Japanese think of seeing a European tourist dressed in a kimono and their hair done up 18th century style?

It's not "ugly" but it's strange, smacking of cultural appropriation and insensitivity.

I actually see that quite often: the foreign tourist dressed up in a silly cowboy outfit that looks like a bad costume from a 1950s western, complete with spurs, fringed jackets, ten-gallon hat, and a big ol' bandana around the neck (the overuse of rhinestones and embroidery is often the icing on the proverbial cake). I've used that example before in similar conversations here. Until a few years ago, I lived in the self-styled "cowboy capital of the world", Bandera, Texas. I still keep my horses over there, although I live in an adjacent town 30 miles away now. But since Bandera is primarily a tourist town, it gets a lot of foreign visitors. So we see the entire spectrum of tourist types. The ones who come to play dress-up are the silliest of all. And yes, the most ridiculous outfits are usually seen on Asian tourists.

Of course, Texans don't tend to get ruffled about "cultural appropriation", but we do chuckle about how outsiders misunderstand so much about Texan culture and history, based on what they've seen on television. It's all harmless fun for them, and we sure don't mind taking their money as we ponder what was going through their minds when they put on these outfits. There's no question at all in our minds who is not from here, even when they've tried their best to get it right. So I certainly understand the subtleties by which native Scots can tell when foreigners are dressed in the kilt, even when these visitors are trying their best to do it right.

[MacKenzie]

I am afraid the most ugly of ugly Americans quite often do wear the kilt. I am afraid that I witnessed a whole covey of them today at the Commando memorial

Emboldened by numbers. Disband the group and I'll wager the individuals would be quite civil. Certainly no excuse for being "ugly", but it is the nature of the human beast... no matter where they hail from.

[Jock Scot]

Emboldened by numbers. Disband the group and I'll wager the individuals would be quite civil. Certainly no excuse for being "ugly", but it is the nature of the human beast... no matter where they hail from.

You are of course quite right, the "ugly" affliction is an international problem. However, in my experience the Oriental nations are the most courteous and don't in general appear to need kilt attire, a touch of tartan in scarf or handkerchief form seems to be enough for them. I am afraid to say, in my long experience, those from the USA lead the "ugly" behaviour chart by a country mile, with I am afraid to say Scotland coming in, in second place.

Having said that, I have met some absolutely fine Xmarkers from the USA and elsewhere, who without exception, were fine examples of courtesy and decorum and were great fun to be with and I would enjoy their company again, at any time.

[MacKenzie]

Of course, Texans don't tend to get ruffled about "cultural appropriation", but we do chuckle about how outsiders misunderstand so much about Texan culture and history...

Said here many a time by Jock Scot. Of course you have to swap out "Texan" with "Scot". :-D

[MacKenzie]

I am afraid to say, in my long experience, those from the USA lead the "ugly" behaviour chart by a country mile

Of that I have no doubt.

[Ayrkiltie]

Apart from such special occasions, almost nobody wears a kilt where I live (‘Auld Ayr wham ne’er a town surpasses’). When I was a kid, my cousins (with whom I lived for a while) went to church wearing their kilts each Sunday. At a recent funeral, I felt, as I usually do when kilted, as somewhat eccentric.

John

Hello
Im in Ayr too and agree with what you say. Its the same all over now though. Kilts for formal but not as the standard dress. I feel eccentric too as Ive often worn my kilt in Ayr and other towns in the area. Surprisingly though it always meets with remarks about how good it is to see the kilt being worn by men nowadays. I often also take a run up to Glasgow wearing my kilts. Always well received so I dont quite get why we dont see more of them. I keep hoping I'll start something going about kilt wearing so will keep fingers crossed. I also wore a kilt to church as a boy and also to school by choice and it was never really a talking point. Kilts were hard wearing and didnt go out of fashion and could be passed onto another family member when I grew out of them. My sister used to tell me when my kilt was too short and she'd also tell mum that I should have another one!

[Ninehostages]

I actually see that quite often: the foreign tourist dressed up in a silly cowboy outfit that looks like a bad costume from a 1950s western, complete with spurs, fringed jackets, ten-gallon hat, and a big ol' bandana around the neck (the overuse of rhinestones and embroidery is often the icing on the proverbial cake). I've used that example before in similar conversations here. Until a few years ago, I lived in the self-styled "cowboy capital of the world", Bandera, Texas. I still keep my horses over there, although I live in an adjacent town 30 miles away now. But since Bandera is primarily a tourist town, it gets a lot of foreign visitors. So we see the entire spectrum of tourist types. The ones who come to play dress-up are the silliest of all. And yes, the most ridiculous outfits are usually seen on Asian tourists.

Of course, Texans don't tend to get ruffled about "cultural appropriation", but we do chuckle about how outsiders misunderstand so much about Texan culture and history, based on what they've seen on television. It's all harmless fun for them, and we sure don't mind taking their money as we ponder what was going through their minds when they put on these outfits. There's no question at all in our minds who is not from here, even when they've tried their best to get it right. So I certainly understand the subtleties by which native Scots can tell when foreigners are dressed in the kilt, even when these visitors are trying their best to do it right.

"As I walked out in the streets of Laredo
As I walked out in Laredo one day
I saw a young cowboy, wrapped all in white linen
Wrapped in white linen, as cold as the clay

I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy
I see by your outfit that you're a cowboy, too.
We see by our outfits that we are both cowboys
If you get an outfit you can be a cowboy, too."

[OC Richard]

I actually see that quite often: the foreign tourist dressed up in a silly cowboy outfit that looks like a bad costume from a 1950s western, complete with spurs, fringed jackets, ten-gallon hat, and a big ol' bandana around the neck...Bandera is primarily a tourist town, it gets a lot of foreign visitors. So we see the entire spectrum of tourist types.

Working at Disneyland, it seems that these people probably wear all their Disney stuff here, and save their cowboy stuff for Bandera.

What we do see fairly often is people visiting from Texas or Mexico wearing ordinary utilitarian Western Wear. It's obvious that it's the everyday clothing of these people. In some families it seems to be a generational thing, only the Grandpa being in Western Wear.