Imitation, sincerest form of flattery?

[Redshank]

As part of my job, I see overseas visitors from all points of the globe on a daily basis, all are enchanted by, and very respectful of Scotland, it's history and traditions, what's more they have paid good money to visit us and they are most welcome, a small minority are kilted, and I am pleased to say not in an over theatrical way, they leave their contemporary kilts at home and dress in an understated traditional way, albeit a few wear pc's and white hose during the day, I have yet to witness a pithe helmet being worn, then perhaps those that can afford the travel, and are interested enough in their roots and ancestry have a heap more respect than those just interested in the theatrical and dressing up to be different.
I have yet to meet someone who has rewritten the history books to suit their commercial needs, those that I have met are keen to learn, so from my personal point of view, those that are interested show considerable respect, interest and visit and for those I have all the time in the world, those that want to flounce about like puffed up peacocks, spout utter nonesense and not show respect to tradition I have no time for, thankfully I have never met any of the latter.

Slainte

[Riverkilt]

My grandfather made sure all his grandchildren were seeped in the lore of Skye. His grandfather emigrated to Nova Scotia. His great uncle stayed in Skye.

Geography changes, blood doesn't.

About ten years ago was emailing a cousin still in Skye. I was hard after family information. He was (and may still be) preoccupied with preserving Gaelic and pretty much told me that the records were so poor that there's little to find. He did pass on what he had which I'll always appreciate.

Ron

[Phil]

What is the attitude towards our inclination from those who are natives, be they Irish, Scots, or Welsh? Are we seen as posers, Renn Faire escapees, nutters, or, is it seen a flattery and admiration for a people and land we have a deep connectin to, real or otherwise.

I know that our forebears travelled to the four corners of the world to make a life for themselves that was denied to them here in their homeland. Whether it was famine from the potato blight or simple human greed from landowners eager to rid themselves of their kinsmen, these hardy souls made a life for themselves in new countries overseas. That they still feel a deep connection to their homeland after all these years says a lot and I, for one, would never decry that. So saying, home is where the hearth is and how can you live in a new country without taking on its values and customs? To think that our Scottish diaspora would retain intact the customs of the old country is an impossible dream. It surely is enough that, deep down, you know where your roots lie. How you choose to celebrate that is your own decision, given your present culture and upbringing, and no-one else has the right to dictate that to you. All we ask here is that you too respect our culture and traditions when in our country and I do truly think. from all I have read here, that that is foremost in the minds of all.

[Bugbear]

Phil, I just read a thread that reminded me that the Scottish people have been influencing and mixing into the development of American culture along with everyone else going back a long, long way in the past.

[Ozark Ridge Rider]

I All we ask here is that you too respect our culture and traditions when in our country and I do truly think. from all I have read here, that that is foremost in the minds of all.

If #1 daughter was not expecting in September, we fully expected to be in your country this summer/fall. Now that will have to wait until next year.

The reason I would wear a kilt, in your country or in mine, would be out of respect for, and to honor, my (and my wife's) heritage. I might not always get it right, but will keep trying. I try to be aware of and thankful for just how much of that heritage was passed down to me.

Dan

[Dall_Piobaire]

This is becoming a great thread with thoughtful and respectful comments.

Said best"Home truly is where the heart is." and no matter where that home might be treat it with the respect you expect others to treat your home, your thoughts, and your feelings!

[Bugbear]

I prefer my peanut butter with a little grape jelly or some honey and a glass of milk; makes it go down easier. However, I have been known to mix peanut butter and coffee...

I can't say that I feel Celtic, or Irish, or Scottish. I'm a New Mexican. My culture really is made up of pieces and bits of several other cultures, and there is absolutely nothing I can do to change that.

I have no wish to tell Scots how to dress and conduct their culture. There does seem to be a little of Scots culture squished into the great American sandwich here and there, though...

[###KILTEDKIWI###]

From another angle, but with great similarity, is my wifes background.
She is a true "kiwi", a mixture of cultures and races from the expanse of the globe, being that of Chinese, European (judging by the names, Scottish, Irish, English) and possibly Maori backgrounds. (although her nana denies it).

Her father is Chinese, living in Malaysia.
His Grandfather immigrated from China to Malaysia.

But he still calls himself Chinese, even though he has lived his whole life in Malayasia (KL).
I know that is due to a number of reasons (wont go into that here, due to racial, religous and economic themes), where the Chinese in MLY strongly differentiate (ah spell check) themselves from the native Malaysia and the Indians.
However,
Wouldnt that make him Malayasian?

[Pleater]

Although I have no experience of meeting other X markers in the flesh - or should that be in the wool? - I am always finding that topics which crop up often feel very close to home.

Such things as sewing and costume, everyday garments, general creativity, brewing and making bread, food in general, and the making of it, woodworking, motorbikes, music, and the making of it, hiking, gardening - it is as though there is a far greater set of connections than kilt wearing.

I was also impressed that someone recently pointed out the right set of words to use when in character - though as one brought up using thee and thy, and sometimes thou and thyne - it did give me a sense of being an anachronism.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Bigkahuna]

My Fathers side of the family came over in 1720 and promptly started interbreeding with the local Cherokees. Although I am an enrolled Tribal member I am still frequently reminded that I don't look "Indian " enough. I still embrace that part of my heritage along with the Celtic part. Does that make me a poser? To some perhaps. But I don't really care. I'm too old to be bothered with someone elses small mindedness.