Bonnets and badges at Burns dinners.

[Jock Scot]

Having enjoyed the numerous pictures of various Burns Nights gatherings posted here of those outwith these shores, I have noticed that decorations and assorted badges are often worn, as are glengarries. Now, I have absolutely no wish to start up another "Decorations or not" thread, nor do I wish to start up another "wearing hats indoors" thread either! But can I ask a few questions?

Is it usual to wear decorations to a totally civilian themed event? And. Is it usual to wear a glengarry(so many at some events!) whilst indoors at these events? Are Glengarries more popular than a balmoral? I understand traditions outhwith the UK are different, but I am amazed at the difference from Scotland. Perhaps the Scottish blood is starting to thin, out there?

Mods we know that these subjects can get quite heated. Please close this thread should things get heated.

[Arnot]

Are Glengarries more popular than a balmoral?

They do seem to be worn a bit more often, at least at the events I have attended (Maxville, Stone Mountain, Virginia, Alaska).

[Ordway]

In this neck of the woods, pipers own glengarrys, others wear the balmoral, if anything. Neither are worn indoors. Decorations are worn on state and official occasions. A pin, signifying regimental affiliation etc., is often worn on the left lapel.

[Tarheel]

When a person (as I've observed on my side of the pond) earns a bauble to wear for some service performed, they can't wait to show their pride in that particular accomplishment. It also is a way for others that have earned medals, honor badges, etc. to recognize the sacrifice of folks showing off those items.
I am guilty as well of showing off my military medals on special occasions.
I think that hats should only be worn outdoors and believe the social standards have become lax on that issue.

[Geoff Withnell]

I have noticed that some wear their decorations to the Burns dinner I usually attend, and others, that I know are prior service and earned decorations, do not. I try to follow the US Marine Corps regs that decorations may be worn with civilian attire on at the holder's discretion on "suitable military or patriotic occasions". Since a Burns dinner doesn't quite fall in that category, I leave them home. I have no problem with those who have earned awards wearing them at their own discretion, however.
As far as headgear goes, I wear a balmoral coming and going, and a kippah during.

[Holcombe Thomas]

I have worn my (US Department of State awarded) decorations exactly once, to a military dinner at which decorations were both expected and requested. The convention in the State Department is to not wear one's civilian decorations to formal events such as the Marine Ball. Military decorations are often worn, by those who've earned them, on such occasions. Marine Balls are emphatically "suitable military or patriotic occasions," as described by Geoff.

If it's cold, I wear a balmoral to and from, but not indoors.

Holcombe

[Jack Daw]

In Texas, it's usually too hot for such, but the doo-dads are aplenty at the Long's Peak Highland Games in Estes Park, CO. It was good fun.

[Macman]

At our pipe band's recent Burns Supper, some gents were wearing decorations. Typically, they were in their formal police uniforms (local police and RCMP; we are a police band); I don't think I saw any medals on attendees wearing civilian garb. As far as headgear goes, I'd say that glens and balmorals were not worn at all, although there are always a couple of attendees who wear covers through the whole evening.

[Liam]

At our pipe band's recent Burns Supper, some gents were wearing decorations. Typically, they were in their formal police uniforms (local police and RCMP; we are a police band); I don't think I saw any medals on attendees wearing civilian garb. As far as headgear goes, I'd say that glens and balmorals were not worn at all, although there are always a couple of attendees who wear covers through the whole evening.

It is fortunate for those gents who chose to wear their hats that they were not at a Royal Canadian Legion, or they would have been required to buy a round for all present.

[Jock Scot]

Thanks for the replies chaps and I understand instantly the decoration mindset described for significant military events/General's/Admiral's birthdays, whatever . But I am a bit stuck on understanding why wear military decorations for one of the most un-military civilians that ever walked this earth one Mr R Burns who is not even part of anyone's nation other than Scotland. OK I can see the argument that Mr Burn's words have spread across the world, but why the military connection with decorations being worn?

Also, looking at the current batch of Burns night pictures posted here the glengarry outnumbers the balmoral by many times, is this I wonder, part of the civilian/ military thinking that shows itself by the wearing of decorations? I am really not criticising or wanting to cause offence, but I am trying to get to grips with the thinking that is very different to how most of us think here. Let me stress that I am not talking about one mode of thinking is better than the other, but different they are.