What the kilt means to you

[McG]

Guid man! What tartan do you wear? sorry for all the questions but am doing a wee survey. Do people approach ye expecting tae here a scottish accent and if they do what is there reaction?
Unrelated question, i used tae work as a professional photographer covering all aspects, started to lose business when digital came oot, whit aboot you? still going strong?
Thanks for feedback!

[Alan H]

Guid man! What tartan do you wear? sorry for all the questions but am doing a wee survey. Do people approach ye expecting tae here a scottish accent and if they do what is there reaction?
Unrelated question, i used tae work as a professional photographer covering all aspects, started to lose business when digital came oot, whit aboot you? still going strong?
Thanks for feedback!

I can, and sometimes do, put on a thick brogue just to mess with people. Usually I get a startled look for a few seconds, and then we all laugh. I may recite a couple of favorite Scottish jokes in brogue, and then just tell them in my normal voice that I'm from California.

The majority of people who talk to me ask the same questions.

1. Do you play bagpipes, or ...where are your bagpipes?
2. Is that your clan tartan?


It's amazing how many people cannot conceive of a Scotsman who does NOT play bagpipes. It's also amazing how many people are momentarily non-plussed when I tell them no, I don't play bagpipes, but I do play saxophone and clarinet. It's like...Scotsman can ONLY play bagpipes. It's also news to many people that there are tartans OTHER than Clan tartans....or that anyone would wear a tartan that wasn't THEIR clan....like it's a criminal offense to wear the wrong tartan.

I don't get angry over this, though I must admit that the bagpipes question is getting old, after three years of it. I just answer the questions, have a nice conversation,and go on my way.

[Wompet]

Well, when I started it was an expression of heritage by blood

So I guess there is some thrill of rebellion too. So many people in America are pushing their heritage and culture down other's throats. Traditionally the persons of Scottish descent over here have just gone quietly about their business. Assimilating into the culture.

It's nice to make a little noise there. If our recent arrivals from down south can demand that I learn their language to have a civil service job, I should be able to dress in the garb of my ancestors.

It's like I get to say "Hey my people have traditions too".

Then it became heritage by choice

I don't know if I was born a "Scot" but I know a Scot was born in me the first time I heard a pipe band and saw rows of kilts swinging in parade as a kid.

The comfort of wearing the kilt was a bonus. As was the range of weather and temperature it could be worn in (Chihuahuan desert to Lake Erie Snow Belt) and how it could be dressed up or dressed down.

In the last few years, something has reinforce my kilt-wearing

And although we shy clear of politics here, it is a reminder to me, not each time I strap one on, but frequently, that "this too was once banned by law."

At work, I'm told what to wear, how to cut my hair, what facial hair I can have, if I can have any obvious piercings or tattoos, how to talk, who to talk to, how to act. Outside of work, I wear a kilt whenever possible - it's become a way of saying "I am an individual, and I dare you to try and change that fact."

And there's that last thing

There's also the undisputable fact that I'm 50 years old, bald, a bit on the overweight side, only middlin' charming, a professional geek and there you have it. Who notices or cares about someone like that? I disappear into the volid when I wear pants. But when I put on a kilt, people notice, and people remember me.

Okay, so I'm 33 and have my hair, but the rest applies. But when I walk into a shop, store, or restaurant, there's no way the staff can pretend that they haven't noticed me. When wearing pants I was overlooked, blending into the background; not so in the kilt.

And if I catch the notice of a close-minded individual? Well, while they're standing there slack-jawed, I reach in there, pluck out their brain, and I play with it.

[Andrewson]

I am a Scot who point-blank refused to wear a kilt when I was a boy growing up in Scotland. No amount of persuasion by my mother had any effect - and she really did try.

I first wore one about 17 years ago because my wife and I had got back into Scottish Country Dancing and we were selected to do a display somewhere. I then discovered just how comfortable it was, especially for dancing but also just in general. Then I discovered the attention it got when worn for non-Scottish black tie events. Not just comfortable clothing but a boost to my self esteem. How could I then resist? And, as a bonus, I have now discovered many more fellow Scots (and folk with a Scottish connection) in the local community because they go out of their way to introduce themselves to me in my kilt.

Comfort
Confidence
National pride

[pdcorlis]

Guid man! What tartan do you wear? sorry for all the questions but am doing a wee survey. Do people approach ye expecting tae here a scottish accent and if they do what is there reaction?
Unrelated question, i used tae work as a professional photographer covering all aspects, started to lose business when digital came oot, whit aboot you? still going strong?
Thanks for feedback!

Don't know if this is pointed at me - but I'll jump in anyway. Personally I prefer to wear district tartans and own a few Irish county tartans as well - that's just me.

Now... the world of photography is in real flux right now - film is not dead but the bean counters are likely to be the ones that kill it if they can. For my landscape photography I still use a large format 4x5 camera - for everything else I shoot digital. I think digital photography holds some real excitement and the image quality is sure there. Now, I have the luxury of teaching photography at the local college but if I was a working professional today shooting weddings, portraits, studio, product shots, and the like I'd welcome digital like a long lost brother. shorter turns-arounds, reduced costs, and instant exposure verification.

If this was not pointed at me then... nevermind and sorry for the hijack!!!!!!