Imitation, sincerest form of flattery?

[Jock Scot]

Here's something I have been wondering, more for our kindred over the pond, but experience counts so throw in!

Many, if not most, of us are of Celtic descent, not that that needs to matter, and see our love of all things Scottish, Irish and Welsh as celebrating, and enjoying our heritage, in all the various ways. This isn't about trad or contentious, I mean contmeporary!

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 can only speak as a Scot. Baring in mind that most of us are getting on with our daily lives, I would say they(me certainly) hardly give our heritage, traditions and culture a thought.I do tend to have to think about it, when I am on this website though. Other than my own family's history, Scotland's past, just occasionally might cross my mind. It is usually when a earnest wide eyed visitor, often looking through rose tinted glasses, tries to tell me some cock and bull story about our history, that I do. In the past I used to let them go on and on and on with a fixed smile on my face and that would be that. I was wrong to do that! Nowadays I tell them, courteously, the truth, if I happen to know it. So in all honesty, I view the visitors as Americans, Canadians, Australians, or wherever, as just that; with an interest in my country.In truth, I regard anything other than "normal kilt attire" as theatrical nonsense.