Interesting take on Tartan Day

[Larry124]

I find Scottish and Irish history to be very interesting. As a rule I have like most Scots and Irish that I have met. I enjoy their whisky, their beer, and their music. The fact that i have ancestors from both countries provides a neat link to the past. That being said, I am an American, the culture i was raised in is south Texas. I also have an interest in Japanese culture, history and language. I study a Japanese martial art. I even lived in Japan for a year when I was in the Marine Corps. Most Japanese that I have talked to like the fact that i am taking such an interest in their culture. In fact a couple have told me they think its funny that I know more about their history then they do. None of this takes away from my identity as an American nor is it insulting to the countries that i am interested in. This guy takes himself way too seriously.

Well said.

[Vafuth]

Well said.

indeed!!

[Galician]

I agree.

The reality is, however, that his view is not uncommon in many countries of the "Old" World. This can be seen by many of the comments left on that article.

The one I found most striking was the one that, if we aren't dealing with the daily messiness of life there, we aren't entitled to identify ourselves as one of them....which might have its merits. This, however, gets cultural identity confused with national identity.