Have You Ever Had Your Tartan Disputed By A Stranger?

[Nighthawk]

I haven't had this particular problem, mainly, I think, because the tartans I wear are so obscure, and not clan related for the most part. I wear the Colorado state, I wear Stillwater Kilt's Nightstalker, I wear the Albannach, and I have two Clergy. I know Clergy isn't obscure, but it's hard to dispute, I think. I have had one person tell me that my Colorado isn't a real kilt for the reason as McMurdo neighbor, though. I tried to explain to him that all tartans started out as regional tartans, based on the fact that the weavers used natural dyes from sources that they had on hand, so the Colorado is in a way more authentic than clan tartans, and the whole thing about clan tartans not being ancient, but being fairly modern. Guess how that tidbit of info went down... Otherwise, I've had no problems. I had a guy ask me once about my black Amerikilt, and if kilts are all supposed to be plaid. I explained to him the meanings of "plaid" and "tartan" and told him what type of kilt it was- and he ended up asking me to write down the AK website address for him! He told me that he had always wanted a kilt, but had no Scots blood and didn't feel right about wearing a clan tartan that he wasn't entitled to wear (much like myself.) So interesting conversations. Most of the time, I've found that people want to learn, want to be taught, and ask out of sincere interest.

[herminator]

I once was asked what tratan I was wearing (Warrior Tartan by Marton Mills) and as it is a fashion tartan I was told:

"Ah, then that´s not really a tartan!"

[Paul]

I just got a Campbell Ancient and I have a funny feeling people will compliment by "Black Watch" kilt to which I will reply "I dont have one"

[Tartan Hiker]

I once was asked what tratan I was wearing (Warrior Tartan by Marton Mills) and as it is a fashion tartan I was told:

"Ah, then that´s not really a tartan!"

I get that same response from a know-nothing in our local Scottish Society whenever I wear my XMTS kilt. She seems absolutely delighted to proclaim that my kilt isn't "real tartan." Her reaction to my Carolina kilt isn't much better.

At this point I've just given up and avoid her whenever possible. No sense in beating my head against that particular wall.

[JolyStNicholas]

When walking around in a black leather kilt I get asked "what tartan is that ?" I reply "Mennonite" and walk away

Being raised around a Quaker and Mennonite community as a child, that's
really funny!

[skauwt]

I'm usually the person who's walking up and offering an incorrect guess, but it usually goes more like this:

Me: Beautiful kilt. Chisholm, right?

Poor unsuspecting schlub who just wishes I'd go away: Ummm, no. Munro, actually.

Me: Yeah, that's what I said. Munro.

Me (internal dialogue): Not even close, bonehead.

I ran into the dad of a kid I grew up with years after we'd grown up and moved away. He still lives cattycorner from my childhood house where my mom still lives. Yep, he was certain that I was wrong that my late father was actually dead.

you`ve made me curious to see what the munro tartan looks like now in the offchance i get someone saying i wear the munro

[Tony]

and I have two Clergy.

Clergy? CLERGY??? That's my Clark tartan you're absconding with!!
How dare ye!!!!!

[Catdad]

"Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference." As a disciple of Murphy's laws, I found that in one of my "bibles" and I think that applies here.

[ronstew]

If they are such an expert and so proud, where is their tartan?

I cannot imagine a better response than this.

[Macman]

I sat beside a lady (one of the manager's wives) at a company dinner many years ago who swore up and down that what I was wearing was MacDonald (I was in red Mackintosh). I found out years later how similar the MacDonald of Keppoch looks to the Mackintosh, so I could at least see where she was coming from, but did she think I didn't even know my own tartan?
She kilt-checked me later in the evening, too (one of the very few I've ever had).