Quote Originally Posted by Jock Scot View Post
I am sorry, but I have to say this to you all. I don't know if you have Scots connections to fall back on, or kilt wearing is just a new thing that you have taken to, but a funeral is the one place not to show off at. There really are times when wearing the kilt should take second place to the occasion and wearing the kilt to a funeral may not be the most sensitive thing to do in some circumstances.
Jock, I think more than half the congregation understands, so you need not apologise. The problem the others face is not knowing the intricacies of dress Highland or not, and on top of that the difficulty of translating what they know to be correct in their own culture to what is correct in another, when they are transporting a part of that other culture into their own.

A few weeks ago I attended a gathering (neither a funeral, nor a formal memorial service) for a late friend in Oregon. I could have worn whatever was required by the family, but there were no demands made. I wore, therefore, what I would usually wear for such an occasion: a tweed jacket, charcoal grey tie. kilt, brown leather sporran and black brogues. I felt appropriately dressed but several comments were made regarding the absent bagpipes I was expected to carry and play.

I did not overhear comment to or about the several lads and girls who wore t-shirts and flip-flops, the men who were tie-less and the ladies who chose to wear lovely spring frocks.

They were not embarassed, but I was. I will enquire more closely in the Pacific Northwest in the future.