Identity in the Scottish Diaspora

[neloon]

Quite right; absolutely not.

But you are North Americans - right? And you are on the American Continent - right? So has the US stolen clothes twice? Scottish? Well, depends what you mean. American? Well, depends what you mean.
Alan

[ThistleDown]

I guess maybe we are moving away from respectful, polite discussion here. It's always good to share a personal opinion and perspective on things, but moving from there into the realm of spitting and shrieking, I-said-you-said leads to the calling of names and the closing of threads.

Please keep that in mind.

[ThistleDown]

But you are North Americans - right? And you are on the American Continent - right? So has the US stolen clothes twice? Scottish? Well, depends what you mean. American? Well, depends what you mean.
Alan

Uh hmmm. That would be 'North' American Continent. Canadians are 'North' Americans. We are the hats. Mexicans are 'North' Americans (even if they may have to live beyond the wall one day). They are the shoes. 'Americans' are in the middle and they wear the pants.

[Jock Scot]

Then let me break it down for you. Your comment above is marketing jibberjabber.

You, your Countrymen and Scotland, have been aggressively selling more than bits of cloth.....when you go to that Scottish website it directs you to "find YOUR Clan Tartan"....that indicates inclusiveness and exclusivity at the same time....not 'a' Tartan...YOUR Clan tartan.
What you've been selling is an idea...an idea of Scots ness that extends beyond your borders...and you've been marketing that idea, that thought, for decades.
When a travel bureau says 'Come home to Scotland' what idea are they selling...who can 'come home'?
You've been pushing an idea, a state of mind, a thought for decades and are now upset that people actually bought into that 'idea'.
No Jock, it is not a bottle of scotch nor a Farm implement....you've been selling an idea..an attitude...you've been selling your Scotishness abroad and are now upset we've taken the bait.
Sorry....you've been hoist with your own petard...there is another analogy that comes to mind but I'll leave it there.

If you want to fall for marketing jargon feel free, the choice is absolutely in the potential customer's hands. Anyone, everyone, has their marketing patter and yes absolutely, the diaspora are certainly a target and the tartan trade do pretty well at it, I have to say I do wonder how long they will get away with it. Its true the tourist trade have sold Scotland in all its forms ruthlessly for well over 150 years and many Scots are brassed off with it, nevertheless if there is no willing buyer the the willing seller is snookered. Thats trade.

We do not make farm machinery on our farms, but we are great users of international farm machinery.

[Reiver]

If you want to fall marketing jargon feel free, the choice is absolutely in the potential customer's hands. Anyone, everyone, has their marketing patter and the yes absolutely, the diaspora are certainly a target and the tartan trade do pretty well at it, I have to say I do wonder how long they will get away with it. Its true the tourist trade have sold Scotland in all its forms ruthlessly for well over 150 years and many Scots are brassed off with it, nevertheless if there is no willing buyer the the willing seller is snookered. Thats trade.

We do not make farm machinery on our farms, but we are great users of international farm machinery.

Well, there you have it.....you've marketed the thing you find upsetting.

[Reiver]

Uh hmmm. That would be 'North' American Continent. Canadians are 'North' Americans. We are the hats. Mexicans are 'North' Americans (even if they may have to live beyond the wall one day). They are the shoes. 'Americans' are in the middle and they wear the pants.

or kilts depending on the day...

[Jock Scot]

Well, there you have it.....you've marketed the thing you find upsetting.

Less of the "you " if you don't mind. I absolutely abhor what the tourist trade have done to Scotland.

[Father Bill]

But you are North Americans - right? And you are on the American Continent - right? So has the US stolen clothes twice? Scottish? Well, depends what you mean. American? Well, depends what you mean.
Alan

I never think of myself as a "North American". The word "American" to me means "Citizen of the United States of America". Here it is a bit of a touchy subject to call us "American." My sense from the family of my German wife is that being called "European" is less of a touchy subject, at least to those on the continent. I have some sense that in the UK it may be difficult.

[Reiver]

Less of the "you " if you don't mind. I absolutely abhor what the tourist trade have done to Scotland.

I'm sorry but it is the collective 'you' like it or not...your Govt. has a hand in too besides the merchants and all of those that work in the trades that support them.
Many on 'The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs' also support the inclusion of the diaspora in a more inclusive manner than you've articulated as does Lord Lyon. The Duke of Buccleuch and Lord Polworth that I'm aware of. I'll be seeing James McBain of McBain this weekend and will put all of this to him for his reaction.
IOTW, you do not have a united front in this to say the least.

[Jock Scot]

I'm sorry but it is the collective 'you' like it or not...your Govt. has a hand in too besides the merchants and all of those that work in the trades that support them.
Many on 'The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs' also support the inclusion of the diaspora in a more inclusive manner than you've articulated as does Lord Lyon. The Duke of Buccleuch and Lord Polworth that I'm aware of. I'll be seeing James McBain of McBain this weekend and will put all of this to him for his reaction.
IOTW, you do not have a united front in this to say the least.

To damn right we don't! The cynics in Scotland have a very unkind saying about the Clan Chiefs and the diaspora, not altogether fair or true but------------------Can I kindly suggest that you take those rose tinted glasses off!