How much Highland attire goes to the Highlands?

**rondo** · 9th August 13, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by Phil

I take it then that a smiley gives a licence to be as insulting as you like...

Why yes...yes it does. ;)
Rondo

**Dale-of-Cedars** · 9th August 13, 10:42 PM

One should take care not to unwittingly reinforce the stereotypes one deprecates. :-[

-I've been called a smart-a$$, and yes, I'm not helping myself one bit.

**TheOfficialBren** · 9th August 13, 10:46 PM

I am reminded of JockScot's quote at the bottom of his posts.

"Let us not take ourselves too seriously."
-Queen Elizabeth II

Who am I to argue with (in all sincerity and with all respect due to) Her Majesty the Queen?

**English Bloke** · 9th August 13, 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by Dale-of-Cedars

One should take care not to unwittingly reinforce the stereotypes one deprecates. :-[

If you have no objection I'll take the liberty of borrowing that quote for a while. Cheers!

**Dale Seago** · 9th August 13, 11:05 PM

Originally Posted by Phil

I do hope that your insulting reference to "grumpy old Highland kilt wearers" is not directed towards any member here in particular and that "dour Scots traditionalists" is similarly not meant to refer to that or any other member.

Matt and Jock have known each other long enough that I'm not worried in the least. Both are men of great good will.

**English Bloke** · 9th August 13, 11:50 PM

I've met Scots face to face who are pleased to see me wearing the kilt and enjoy the irony there-in... and I've also met Scots who have expressed vociferously a strong objection to me wearing it because I'm "not Scottish". When asked what it is that quantifies being Scottish, I'm told apparently, "Born in Scotland of Scottish parents". It's an opinion, but it does pose me with a dilemma.

I had a parent who was a percentage Scottish, half actually but further derived from two half Scottish Parents so in effect, the sum of two quarters. Both my Parents were born in the southern Scottish county of Englandshire. My other Parent was English... Yorkshire... Proud of it. Strong in't th'arm, thick in't 'ead.

By my riffmatik that makes me 25% Scottish by blood, mmmm... Bit thin that. Like an over watered whisky.

So where was I born?

Well as it happens, I was born in Central Africa, so by the definition of the Nationality criteria above, I'm not even English. This is not far from the truth. When I was applying for my first passport and also the first couple of renewals, I had to provide not just my own, African birth certificate but also those of my parents (and initially my grandparents). This was despite serving in HM Forces at the time. My daughter is more English than me and she's half Turkish.

It's too complicated for me. I see myself as English with a Scottish heritage which I am happy to embrace and celebrate. When nay-sayers abound, I do console myself with the thought I'm doing my bit to keep the mills and the Kiltmakers in business and preserve the culture and heritage of Scotland for future generations to enjoy... But after awarding myself this Grand Order for Services to the Kilt (cue trumpets...), I honestly think that's one of the smoke screens I've put up to give me personal justification to do the Kilty things I do. Even with my unusual penchant for kilt acquisition I don't think I'm really making any difference at all.

Incidentally, from my observations, the majority of Kilts worn in Scotland these days are either not wool, hired or recycled (in that order). Most Scotsmen do not own a tailored wool kilt.

**Jock Scot** · 9th August 13, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by Dale Seago

Matt and Jock have known each other long enough that I'm not worried in the least. Both are men of great good will.

Thank you Dale that is just the sort of kind comment I would expect from you and it is much appreciated. However there are times, a few thankfully, when my goodwill does get stretched painfully thin here.

**Phil** · 10th August 13, 02:25 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Thank you Dale that is just the sort of kind comment I would expect from you and it is much appreciated. However there are times, a few thankfully, when my goodwill does get stretched painfully thin here.

Jock, you are truly a gentleman and I envy you your forbearance in the face of what has been a fairly sustained barrage of anti-Scottish sentiment from a number of North Americans here. I have to say, however, that I would not have expected Mr Newsome to have been amongst their number

.
N.B. lots of smilies which make everything OK. Is this a transatlantic thing or am I missing something here i.e. it's OK to be offensive as long as you put a smiley at the end?

**English Bloke** · 10th August 13, 04:10 AM

That's the trouble with you Phil... No bloody sense of humour

Sorry, I was just leaving...

**Phil** · 10th August 13, 04:26 AM

Originally Posted by English Bloke

That's the trouble with you Phil... No bloody sense of humour
Sorry, I was just leaving...

That's the whole trouble here. My humour just doesn't translate across the pond and long experience has taught me to button it as a result. There are only so many warnings you can take. Never mind though. I think I have found the answer at last. Lots of smilies. You are obviously on the ball