Performing at school

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

I can't really comment on the sgian dubh, especially as you were asked to speak, but my youngest daughter had a Thanksgiving day brunch today at her school and we all went to see her and her class perform. I was in a kilt with a sword shaped kilt pin. I never thought twice about it, and nobody else said anything about it, but I did wonder about a sgian dubh when one of the little girls in the class noticed the kilt pin and began playing with it (she was sitting at a child's table and I was standing next to her talking to someone). No real problem, but it made me wonder about carrying a real sgian dubh in the same situation and a child taking it out to see what it was. Now, these are 3-4 year olds, so them taking one out is not impossible and I would not want anyone to get hurt. Older children would PROBABLY know enough to ask what you were wearing and if they could touch/see it, but who knows. Anyway, just something else to think about when visiting aschool.

[Panache]

When at my son's elementary school I wear a "sgian don't", either a bottle openner or a comb with a knife handle. I don't have to worry, those few concerned parents that have asked have been relieved I'm not breaking California law by bringing a weapon on school grounds. It's nice to have options.

Cheers

[David Dalglish]

You could also wear a false one, it give the effect without the blade

[McClef]

You could also wear a false one, it give the effect without the blade

I have one of those, besides the real one, but I haven't even tried to wear it when flying. In a school situation though I would say it is observing both the tradition and the school safety rules.

[Planopiper]

I never have one with me when I play at a school. You might be able to discuss it with the administration and find a way to justify it, but what's the point? It's just a distraction that doesn't really contribute anything to what you're doing. I usually just play tunes, talk a very little bit about the pipes and the kilt, and spend most of the time answering questions. Elementary school kids ask the best questions and usually listen to the answers. Not like adults where you keep getting the same questions repeated. I never run out of things to talk about and always have things I could have said, so leaving out the sgian dubh doesn't leave me lacking at all. You could wear a fake one, but again, what's the point? If it's not real, then it's just jewelry. Kids sitting on the floor will ask about it and you'll have to explain why you have a bottle opener in your sock. This isn't an historical society. It's little kids. Leave the knife at home.

Sorry, I just re-read your note and saw this is for a middle-school. Definitely leave the knife at home.

[macwilkin]

This isn't an historical society. It's little kids. Leave the knife at home.

Sorry, but some of the best questions I have had in my experience comes from "little kids" -- you can't dismiss their intelligence that easily. They certainly ask better questions than some of the historical societies I have spoken to!

When I have talked to elementary school children about Highland dress, they are very interested and want to know about everything.

T.

[beloitpiper]

Well, I talked to the Principal (Principal Ross! Fine Scottish name) and he said it would be fine, as long as it stays in my hose. I think I can handle that. I would wear a fake one, but I don't have one....damn, I wish I had a sgian brew.

It's a cultural fair, so there'll be other people giving presentations there. This event is at night, not during school hours, and my audience will be 6-8th graders with their parents, so I'm not realy worried about anything happening.

I'll be sure to get some photos for you guys.