Quote Originally Posted by Chas View Post
When someone asks 'How do you do?', they expect the same in return. They do not want to hear about that little bowel problem you've been having this last week; watch their eyes glaze over as you tell them. Likewise, 'What's your lineage?' should be replied with a snappy 'Sept of Clan Ross' and nothing more.
Chas
This is the best advice I've read in this thread. As Chas and Jock Scot have said, have a quick confident reply. My grandmother bore a Scottish maiden name and my mother has a Scottish maiden name, but I choose to wear a tartan that goes quite a ways back because of personal, historical, and genealogical reasons. Since I bear an English surname, when asked the question, I reply, "I have a family connection with the clan." I know that would be obvious because of the tartan I'm wearing, but it's like Chas said, when people ask, "How are you?", they really expect you to say, "I'm fine; and you?". They don't want to know about the bad day you're having, nor does anyone really want to know your exact genealogical connection to a certain clan. Hope this is helpful advice.