Comments from a 'friend'

[hospitaller]

Originally from Chile, i've been living in the US since 1999 and thanks to Facebook, I've been able to get in touch with old friends, family, etc. left in Chile.

So, yesterday morning and old female 'friend' found me in Facebook, send me the 'friendship' request to which I replied of course as soon as I received it.

Well this morning I log in to catch up with messages, notifications and the like and I find that she has left me a nice 'great to find you and lets stay in touch' message and a couple of comments in some of my photos.

Of course, some of them are of me in kilt. And as you can see it coming she commented in one of them.

Literally translated from spanish, she wrote this:

"What is going on Hector? I did not know this side of you...wearing skirts? Please tell me this is a costume...it is, right?"

So, as of right now im still debating whether to reply to her comment, to send her a message informing her what a kilt is, or simply to remind her that my mother's side of the family is Scottish and just leave it at that.

Since I will never see her again anyway, it does'nt really matter one way or another, but it is strange that so far my only negative comment comes from a woman.

oh well, she needs some learnin' to be done

[duchessofnc]

Ok. To be fair, let's assume she is ignorant of Scottish Heritage and what the garment meant. It is quite possible that she really doesn't know and would of course make the conclusion that it was a "skirt".

At which point it might be worth the effort to explain the cultural heritage behind the kilt. If after a polite explanation it still bothers her, you have at least tried and it is her choice to remain blinded to other cultures.

[Yaish]

Yeah, it seems she is more ignorant of the idea than deliberately being condescending. Educate her first, let her know what it is all about, and then ultimately, remember her opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it.

[Nighthawk]

Ok. To be fair, let's assume she is ignorant of Scottish Heritage and what the garment meant. It is quite possible that she really doesn't know and would of course make the conclusion that it was a "skirt".

At which point it might be worth the effort to explain the cultural heritage behind the kilt. If after a polite explanation it still bothers her, you have at least tried and it is her choice to remain blinded to other cultures.

What she said.

[hospitaller]

yeah it is clear to me that it is more a matter of ignorance than anything else, as I mentioned in a different post, there are scottish families in Chile but there has never been any organized attempts at introducing our culture/traditions to the country.

So, their only understanding of Scotland is thru pipe bands and the stereotypical image of a piper major.

So a simple man in a kilt is completely beyond their collective grasp.

I will reply with a short but informative bit.

[macwilkin]

yeah it is clear to me that it is more a matter of ignorance than anything else, as I mentioned in a different post, there are scottish families in Chile but there has never been any organized attempts at introducing our culture/traditions to the country.

So, their only understanding of Scotland is thru pipe bands and the stereotypical image of a piper major.

So a simple man in a kilt is completely beyond their collective grasp.

I will reply with a short but informative bit.

Hector,

What do you mean by "organized attempts"? Would you not consider a St. Andrew's/Caledonian Society an organized attempt? I know Valparaiso had a St. Andrew's Society at one time, and I believe Santiago might have as well.

There is a fairly active society in neighbouring Argentina that seems to do a good job in promoting Scottish heritage and cuture:

http://www.scotlandinargentina.com.ar/indexeningles.htm

Perhaps in your message to your friend you could mention all of the facts you included about Chile's Scottish connections.

Todd

[hospitaller]

Hector,

What do you mean by "organized attempts"?

Exactly that. No organized attempts at anything. No Clans, no Highland Games, no Saint Andrew celebration, nothing.

Would you not consider a St. Andrew's/Caledonian Society an organized attempt? I know Valparaiso had a St. Andrew's Society at one time, and I believe Santiago might have as well.

That society was more about wealthy families getting together and publicizing their scottish ancestry. It is sadly, a common situation in Chile, where if your family has a 'foreign' surname, somehow makes it worthy of respect and advancement. I know because I lived there for 30 years.

There is a fairly active society in neighbouring Argentina that seems to do a good job in promoting Scottish heritage and cuture:

http://www.scotlandinargentina.com.ar/indexeningles.htm

That's correct. But that is Argentina, not Chile.

Perhaps in your message to your friend you could mention all of the facts you included about Chile's Scottish connections.

Todd

Those are taught in Chilean history in school, but again, somehow the connection between scotsmen and kilts is not made....because there has never been a highland game, or festival or a clan gathering as such to promote and educate the chilean population about it.

[macwilkin]

Exactly that. No organized attempts at anything. No Clans, no Highland Games, no Saint Andrew celebration, nothing.

That society was more about wealthy families getting together and publicizing their scottish ancestry. It is sadly, a common situation in Chile, where if your family has a 'foreign' surname, somehow makes it worthy of respect and advancement. I know because I lived there for 30 years.

That's correct. But that is Argentina, not Chile.

Those are taught in Chilean history in school, but again, somehow the connection between scotsmen and kilts is not made....because there has never been a highland game, or festival or a clan gathering as such to promote and educate the chilean population about it.

Hector,

I didn't mean to imply that you were incorrect; Obviously information on such an organization is scarce here in the United States. I do have a book at home by Michael Turnbull which discusses some of the many St. Andrew/Caledonian/Burns Societies around the world, and I believe it may discuss some of the activities of a society in Chile.

Generally, St. Andrew/Caledonian Societies were "mutual-aid" societies for recently-arrived immigrants which also held events such as Burns Suppers and St. Andrew's Balls for their members.

I salute your efforts to educate your countrymen on Scottish heritage. Please let me know if I can do anything to assist you.

Con respecto,

Todd

[Abax]

I have heard others say that Spanish does not include a word for which the literal translation is "kilt." Is this true and could that be part of the problem?

Abax

[hospitaller]

Hector,

I didn't mean to imply that you were incorrect; Obviously information on such an organization is scarce here in the United States. I do have a book at home by Michael Turnbull which discusses some of the many St. Andrew/Caledonian/Burns Societies around the world, and I believe it may discuss some of the activities of a society in Chile.

Generally, St. Andrew/Caledonian Societies were "mutual-aid" societies for recently-arrived immigrants which also held events such as Burns Suppers and St. Andrew's Balls for their members.

I salute your efforts to educate your countrymen on Scottish heritage. Please let me know if I can do anything to assist you.

Con respecto,

Todd

I understand Todd and no offense or misinterpretation was taken/made.

I'm sure that in the 17th century and onwards when some of the earliest scots were coming to Chile, and a Saint Andrews was formed its purpose was as you described it.

But in modern Chile, any and all European originated surname family Societies with connections to their countries of origin, are more about, as I mentioned above, advance their local interests rather than actively promote their actual heritage and culture.

One distinction would be that of the Basque community, which does have a Celtic Mussic scene, several events throughout the year, educational activites, etc.

But as for the rest...nil, zip, nada.

I will take you on your offer if you dont mind, as I am currently gearing to attend several local highland games and events in order to learn as much as I can so I can start planning something to introduce them in Chile.

That would be a fantastic prospect to have new kilties in droves from South America.

cheers