Top notch specialists

[tulloch]

It could be just as inappropriate to have someone lay down the law because they have their specialist badge - it can help with the clarity to have to put up some justification for doing things a particular way.

I like tea - but I brew up green, cinnamon, liquorish and mint versions, I brew beer - but it is ginger, bottled with lemon juice and brown sugar, I have made Civil War costumes, but the English Civil War, I like garment construction with folds in it - but that covers the English smock as well as kilts.

I am also conscious that as I get older the little grey cells - well they aren't as bouncy as they were, they need to be exercised to keep them in good condition.

Having to justify advice is no bad thing. Just think of the advice given by the ancient oracles - they never explained and got people into deep trouble whilst they were sitting in their smoky caves breathing deeply and declaiming obscurely.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

Anne, you are one of the wisest people I have had the pleasure of regularly encountering. Speaking of specialists, you're one of the best. Thank you.

[creagdhubh]

Aye, BCAC, we sure do have some incredible qualifications here! Now of course, some of them may be the guy some other meet down at the pub... but it's unlikely that folks are aware of some of the qualifications. X Marks is a long way from being "just a web forum."

Indeed, Father Bill...well put!

[rmccool]

It's also worth noting that there are many different perspectives on wearing kilts. Some view the kilt primarily in historic context, others are working to maintain the kilt as a living tradition (but with the 'tradition' part paramount), others are happy to see traditional-styled kilts worn in very casual, non-traditional ways, and still others see just about any unbifurcated male garment as a "kilt" and are more interested in comfort than in fashion or tradition. That sometimes means that expert advice that fits one person's needs may not be quite what someone else is looking for.

I deeply respect the expertise and experience that so many of our members possess, and I've learned a lot from several of them (both on XMTS and elsewhere). Still, I think Anne has a point... having someone explain "why" is often the best course. What makes XMTS so special is that the experts here are both willing and able to do just that.

[kiltedrennie]

There's multiple sides (or perhaps it's more of a double edged sword) to this. With text as the primary communication medium, a newbie's ignorance of the somewhat complex social conventions that have been established, and the wide cultural diversity gathered over the lifetime of this venue, it's very easy for the intent or meaning of a newbie's post to be misunderstood.

I'm admittedly a kilt newbie, and a self proclaimed one at that. Even taking into consideration the forum rules (which I've gone over several times now), I've stumbled a few times. I've veered off topic more than some experienced members find acceptable. In my defense, it was related to the topic but diametrically opposed. I've asked a question that wasn't controversial in and of itself, but was advised it was one that could potentially encourage a response that was politically controversial, so they considered my post a violation of the no politics rule. After some reflection, I think I understood why, but didn't consider it worth bothering with a PM to find out.

Was I put out? Perhaps a bit at first, but not upon reflection. Their response wasn't inappropriate or unwarranted. It just took me by surprise at first. Maybe, if the situation isn't urgent, it might have been kinder to PM me instead of posting a response. I'm not new to the "Intertubes" and I've got a thicker skin that that. Some newbies may not.

I guess my point is that every culture is different and this site has it's own customs and conventions that will take some time to learn. Some newbies might benefit from the benefit of a doubt, a little slack, and kid gloves.

P.S. I just spent way more time writing this than intended in an effort not to sound defensive/offensive/peevish. Although it's tangentially related to the thread the posts here reminded me of it. :-)

P.S.S. Oh, and I should add that I've learned so much in the short time I've been on this site I can't thank everyone as much as they deserve. Last night I read the thread on deconstructing/reconstructing a kilt to add stabilization. Learned more in an hour than I could have Googling for a week. If there are more (perhaps too many to list) threads of wisdom like that I'd dearly love to know about them.

[O'Searcaigh]

Question Authority: Real authorities welcome it!

[TheOfficialBren]

Question Authority: Real authorities welcome it!

+100!!!

[JohntheBiker]

There are lots of self-proclaimed authorities on the wearing of kilts on the web. The challenge in trying to get guidance, as with most things on the internet, is in assessing the credibility of the information and then trying to apply it to your own circumstances. The beauty of this site is that there are informed folks who will wade in on your issues and you are bound to get a variety of perspectives and an education to boot. It is not often that you don't have enough information to make an informed decision. Furthermore, XMTS helps folks develop the confidence to disagree.

[RockyR]

I am not claiming to be an "expert", but what I tell customers in the shop (or on the phone) is this:

I see it as my job to explain the "rules" / guidelines and how things are typically done. If you want to break one (or all) of the rules, that is completely up to you. It's my job to point them out so that you can decide which rule(s) you want to break.

[piperdbh]

I think the OP was referring to the makers of things and dealers in stuff who really know their business, not necessarily to our members who like to tell people what they should/shouldn't do.

edit: After rereading the OP, I think I may have been wrong. That makes twice.

[Geoff Withnell]

I learned years ago. X is an unknown quantity. A spurt is a drip under pressure. So an expert is an unknown drip under pressure. Of course, part of my job at work is as a "subject matter expert". So there I am.