Haggis and kilts? No Yanks

[Tobus]

As far as some rich footballers attending such an event then not at least being involved in the culture a little, I think that's very poor. It's sort of like going to an Indian restaurant and ordering... a steak!

Actually, I would rather that they do just what they did, rather than be forced into something they don't like.

Apparently, kilts at a Burns supper are not mandatory by any means and indeed (so I'm told by many on this board) lots of people wear pants. Including Scots. So why is it a big deal if two Americans who don't even own kilts attend it pants too?

If other things are on the menu besides haggis, I see no cultural insult in ordering them, either. As long as they weren't downright disrespectful about any of it (hey, let's face it, a haggis does look like an American football), I think they did just fine. At least they had the courtesy to go, while not pretending to be something they're not.

[Paul]

Actually, I would rather that they do just what they did, rather than be forced into something they don't like.

Apparently, kilts at a Burns supper are not mandatory by any means and indeed (so I'm told by many on this board) lots of people wear pants. Including Scots. So why is it a big deal if two Americans who don't even own kilts attend it pants too?

If other things are on the menu besides haggis, I see no cultural insult in ordering them, either. As long as they weren't downright disrespectful about any of it (hey, let's face it, a haggis does look like an American football), I think they did just fine. At least they had the courtesy to go, while not pretending to be something they're not.

I wasnt making reference to them not wearing kilts. That would be rediculous. In my experience, here in Scotland only around half of gentlemen wear kilts to Burns Suppers.
As you used "disrespectful", I feel that from what I gained from the twitter post I could very much relate it to that word. That's where I drew my opinions of them not being involved in the culture - even for one night that is based on celebrating culture through Robert Burns' works and memory.
Even trying vegetarian haggis (which was available) would have allowed them to try something, and it doesnt look like an American football when it's on your plate.