Quote Originally Posted by Jock Scot View Post
Can I ask how often you recount your family history in such detail in your day to day life to strangers? Often? Occasionally? Never? Alright at a guess probably never and its not because you are ashamed , its because in real life its, well, because, we just don't. These situations will have occurred in Scotland too, so nothing is new there. Choose your tartan and wear it. Don't overthink all this and get on with your life. If a kilted Scot meets another kilted Scot for the first time, or even the thousandth time, there is never a tartan justification discussion on the details of ones tartan choice.
Hi Jock,

I know you have strong feelings on the issue of 'justifying and explaining your tartan'. I appreciate you don't feel the need to do either. I also understand that you do not understand why other people, particularly descendants of émigrés, have the need to explain and justify their choices. Your own anecdotes reveal that you know that people do feel the need to explain and justify. We have done our best to explain the reasons for that, but I appreciate that you still don't comprehend the need or perhaps you feel that people should show more discretion.

Either way, I completely respect your views. I do not seek to change them. You are entitled to your opinions.

I do, however, ask you to respect posters who do have that need. People who, in good faith, post their stories looking for a friendly ear and some validation for their choices.

I infer from your posts that listening to such stories is not the best use of your time. Consequently, can I please ask that you not read them? If you do perhaps read such a story by mistake, then can I ask you to not comment in the way you have above? Dignified silence or perhaps some more supportive words along the lines of 'choose your tartan and wear it' would be welcome.

Thanks and all the best,

John