THCD nightmare by some drummers

[MacEanruig]

If anything, by wearing kilts, these young men have shown that it's something cool to don on occasion. They may have chosen anything, but they at least chose the kilt. Nevertheless, great drum skills.

[Calgacus]

There was a thread very recently asking whether wearing a kilt with a Saltire on the back was potentially disrespectful, as it would lead to the wearer 'sitting on the flag', as it were. A thoughtful and considerate question, the answer to which highlighted the cultural differences between North America and Scotland. Yet, when I point out that I find the wearing of kilts backwards by some youths mildly disrespectful* to what is after all a cultural icon, I get told to get back in my box?? Can't you see that this is basically the same thing? You don't seem willing or able to try to see things from a different cultural perspective. Frankly, I expected better from the world's premier kilt website.

So wearing a kilt backwards, sorry, that has negative connotations... with the pleats at the front, is not 'wrong'?

Ok, I get it. I totally get it.


*Even 'mildly disrespectful' is probably too strong for how I actually feel about these lads, but it's not them that I have the issue with.

[Terry1948]

One's view of how to interpret the video depends upon how you approach it. If you are looking at the kilt as part of a stage performance for an accompaniment to drumming, then the kilt is a costume, and can be worn in any way that supports the performance. If you make the kilt center-stage and the rest of the performance is the accompaniment, then I think reviewing the appearance of the kilt to be something worth discussing. And then I would ask the question....was the kilt worn backwards on purpose? We don't know. Maybe they did "google" it, but wanted to make a statement of some kind. Maybe they were just being kids and having a good time, and aiming for the adulation of the young ladies in the crowd (ah, to be young again).

Sometimes theatrical performances are intended to challenge comfort levels, sometimes something that gets the audience (as is some members of a kilt forum) really upset is totally outside the intent of the performer.

I applaud the young men for their drumming and their wearing of clothing outside of the norm (no pants for them!), mentally tell myself -- remember, "pleaty part" goes in the back, and then look for something new to stew about.

[bwat]

So wearing a kilt backwards, sorry, that has negative connotations... with the pleats at the front, is not 'wrong'?

Ok, I get it. I totally get it.


*Even 'mildly disrespectful' is probably too strong for how I actually feel about these lads, but it's not them that I have the issue with.

You and I are of the same thinking and I honestly couldn't agree more. I don't have any great feelings of hurt or disgust, I'm just shaking the heid.

It's all just cultural differences from what I can see - just like your flag example. Some suspected cultural differences I've noticed in this thread and others:

- I think the definition of the word "respect" in North America is different to Scotland/rest of Europe. I don't think it is being disrespectful to someone to say they are in the wrong. Where I come from people aren't automatically "right" just because they have an opinion.

- The criticism found on the female attire threads and the value placed on a "family friendly" (a term I think I'm right in guessing is a synonym for "quite conservative") look is very American in my eyes. I find this more troubling than kilts on back-to-front as it seems quite controlling.

- The worship of the warrior class/police is very American and quite alien to me. Before people get upset at this I've got coppers and squadies in the close family. I was born in an Army hospital and I've spent some time as a reservist. I've nothing against the police or the armed forces.

That's just what I could come up with whilst my tatties are boiling. It is quite clear to me that this board is run according to North American sensibilities so every now and again the old world will feel a wee bit peeved. It's not such a big thing I suppose.

[Terry1948]

Some suspected cultural differences I've noticed in this thread and others:

- I think the definition of the word "respect" in North America is different to Scotland/rest of Europe.

- The criticism found on the female attire threads and the value placed on a "family friendly" (a term I think I'm right in guessing is a synonym for "quite conservative") look is very American in my eyes. I find this more troubling than kilts on back-to-front as it seems quite controlling.

- The worship of the warrior class/police is very American and quite alien to me. Before people get upset at this I've got coppers and squadies in the close family. I was born in an Army hospital and I've spent some time as a reservist. I've nothing against the police or the armed forces.

That's just what I could come up with whilst my tatties are boiling. It is quite clear to me that this board is run according to North American sensibilities so every now and again the old world will feel a wee bit peeved. It's not such a big thing I suppose.

Apologies for going off topic here, but can I ask for a bit of clarification so I can try to understand your post, bwat? Are you using "American"to equal "North American", and visa versa? Where do the Canadians come in? I consider myself of North America, and therefore "North American", but I don't consider myself "American". I ask this because it appears you are using the term interchangeably. Canada and America share some history (not all of it favorable, since we burnt their White House down once), but each country also shares a lot of history with European countries. And Canada and America are vast, so to try to ascribe a specific "sensibility" to the residents as a group is difficult. I'm western Canadian, and when I talk with eastern Canadians or Quebecois, it is obvious to me how different we are. We don't share a sensibility in many areas, and from people I have met from across the U.S., it is almost like different countries within one country down there. So once again, I have never been able to determine an "American" sensibility.

I have also looked at the moderation team, and three of the moderators are from the UK (Scotland, Wales and England), one splits his time between BC and Scotland, one is from Canada, and the others are from the US. So, I would view the forum as being managed rather with an international mindset.

Anyway, back on topic -- I enjoyed the drumming of the young men, I mentally vowed to myself never to wear a kilt that way, and I then went on to the next thread.

[bwat]

Apologies for going off topic here, but can I ask for a bit of clarification so I can try to understand your post, bwat? Are you using "American"to equal "North American", and visa versa? Where do the Canadians come in? I consider myself of North America, and therefore "North American", but I don't consider myself "American". I ask this because it appears you are using the term interchangeably.

I was actually using the terms as you interpret them so to be clear, in my post American would be someone from the USA, and North American would be USA and Canada. Please bear in mind that my claims have their basis in the posts I read on this site and years of tv exported by the USA and Canada which, as we all know, is always an accurate reflection of a nation's thoughts and beliefs

[Dixiecat]

.... years of tv exported by the USA and Canada which, as we all know, is always an accurate reflection of a nation's thoughts and beliefs

Ok. I'm racking my brain to think of what TV shows exported from Canada highlight warrior/police worship. Hockey Night in Canada? The Friendly Giant? Mr. Dress UP? Wait, it HAS to be The Red Green Show!! Amiright?

[Nathan]

Ok. I'm racking my brain to think of what TV shows exported from Canada highlight warrior/police worship. Hockey Night in Canada? The Friendly Giant? Mr. Dress UP? Wait, it HAS to be The Red Green Show!! Amiright?

Flashpoint
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1059475/

[bwat]

Ok. I'm racking my brain to think of what TV shows exported from Canada highlight warrior/police worship. Hockey Night in Canada? The Friendly Giant? Mr. Dress UP? Wait, it HAS to be The Red Green Show!! Amiright?

Just to be clear: I never described it as a Canadian thing. Canada, it seems, has more of a culture of remembrance like the UK and I believe the rest of the Commonwealth.

I can't climb into this debate without violating the politics rule so I threw out the exception that proves the rule. Bwat's whole line of stereotypical reasoning is way off base.

It's very common that rational conclusions are based upon premises which are stereotypes or assumptions. It is often very useful - I build mechanical reasoning systems so I actively look for such things in my work. The reason for stereotypes is often not to predicate all members of the aggregate but just enough of them to form a useful belief.

Also, please consider my comments as being descriptive and not proscriptive.