Subjected to 'racial abuse' while kilted - sorry if length and/or content offends

**scoutniagara** · 13th September 07, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by Casper

"Never argue with an idiot. They'll bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience"

Well played, good on ya for keeping your cool.

I love that quote. I hope I can remember it.

We in Canada also are becoming more involved with racism. When people immigrate to a country because it's "better" than from where they've come, why can't they leave their "home" problems and persecuted social behaviours behind them? If our countries are so great, why can't immigrants adopt our way of life, rather than trying to change us to them?

Is this a kilt forum? Just wondering. ;)

**Makeitstop** · 12th September 07, 01:27 PM

While I think you probably could have been a bit more mature in your response, I do think you did the right thing by confronting him. Punks like this one (if my read on his personality is right) often feel like a big man when people won't stand up to them. Having such behavior result in humiliation will hopefully help to teach him a lesson.

**ozone** · 12th September 07, 01:37 PM

Am I missing something here? Many of the images of people of "middle eastern descent" I have seen usually involve the wearing of a skirt-like garment in the the form of flowing robes. So what was this guy's deal? Drunk people just don't make sense.......

**gilmore** · 12th September 07, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by ozone

Am I missing something here? Many of the images of people of "middle eastern descent" I have seen usually involve the wearing of a skirt-like garment in the the form of flowing robes. So what was this guy's deal? Drunk people just don't make sense.......

Perhaps in his culture ankle length=heterosexual, knee length=homosexual. Who knows?

**ccga3359** · 12th September 07, 02:19 PM

You handled yourself well enough. It's hoped that your "friend" has learned something, but then again he probably hasn't aside that his mates won't back up his ignorrant mouth. Give credit to his friends that even though it could have been five against one, they chose the right road.

**Rigged** · 12th September 07, 02:59 PM

I think you handled the situation well. A few years ago I had a confrontation with a Middle Eastern fellow who, while passing me on my way to my car asked, "What the H*** is THAT?" pointing to my black workman's Utilikilt. I got out a card and handed it to him saying something like, "Here's the card of the company that makes them, you can read all about it on their website." He slapped the card out of my hand and threatened violence against me if I tried something like that again. I just shrugged and walked away.

Roll forward two weeks later. I run into the same guy at the Student Union. He's all apologetic and we get into a discussion about traditional male garments from his culture and others. He said that after he got home the night of his tirade against me he realized that his own traditional clothing might be viewed as women's clothing by someone who didn't know better.

**Archangel** · 12th September 07, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by Rigged

I think you handled the situation well. A few years ago I had a confrontation with a Middle Eastern fellow who, while passing me on my way to my car asked, "What the H*** is THAT?" pointing to my black workman's Utilikilt. I got out a card and handed it to him saying something like, "Here's the card of the company that makes them, you can read all about it on their website." He slapped the card out of my hand and threatened violence against me if I tried something like that again. I just shrugged and walked away.

Roll forward two weeks later. I run into the same guy at the Student Union. He's all apologetic and we get into a discussion about traditional male garments from his culture and others. He said that after he got home the night of his tirade against me he realized that his own traditional clothing might be viewed as women's clothing by someone who didn't know better.

I like this story better than the other ones.

The mouthpiece in the initial story had a group of friends trying to silence him. Avoid your own racism by recognizing that 80% were trying to keep the peace. Hmm, that sounded harsh, wasn't intended that strong.

Here's a point: sometimes we have a shortbread tin history of Scotland in our mind. We picture noble kilties against the English, and "ladies from hell" against the Germans. We don't know that kilties cleared Palestine, and that the Black Watch (unkilted, mind) were in Iraq as Scots, not Brits, for propaganda purposes. It doesn't make the kid right but you've all got the same focus point: the kilt.

**Troy** · 12th September 07, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by Archangel

I like this story better than the other ones.

The mouthpiece in the initial story had a group of friends trying to silence him. Avoid your own racism by recognizing that 80% were trying to keep the peace. Hmm, that sounded harsh, wasn't intended that strong.

I get your point, Archangel, but I must stress that I am not racist, even if one of the responses I made to this little fool was unfortunate

. The only reason I mentioned that these young fellas were Middle Eastern is that the antagonist used that fact as a springboard from which to attack me. I happen to live in an area of Sydney with a large Lebanese Muslim population and I have rarely had any problems - even walking, while kilted, through a group of Lebanese "homeboys" at the train station.

I make no assumptions about anyone's character based on their ethnicity or religion, but I have enough street smarts to know this - one day soon the aggressive and venomous little scroat who took a shot at me will be at the receiving end of a flogging at the hands of someone far less tolerant than me. Unfortunately, however, as is the way of the streets his innocent mates will probably cop it with him. (I speak from experience, having been on the receiving end of a severe kicking as the result of a stupid comment made by a smartmouthed friend.)

Sorry for the rant, but I just wanted to clarify my position.

Regards,

Troy

**taxdragon** · 12th September 07, 07:20 PM

While in Las Vegas for Labor Day weekend I had my own experience with a group of middle easterners. A group of about 10 young Egyptians stopped me outside a casino and very politely asked me about my kilt. They were very nice and we had a great conversation. They would not let me leave until each had their picture taken with me. It was a fun experience...

**davedove** · 13th September 07, 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by taxdragon

While in Las Vegas for Labor Day weekend I had my own experience with a group of middle easterners. A group of about 10 young Egyptians stopped me outside a casino and very politely asked me about my kilt. They were very nice and we had a great conversation. They would not let me leave until each had their picture taken with me. It was a fun experience...

And that shows the difference between those who like to learn new things and those who think they know it all.