"An insult to the Scots"

**Graham** · 8th February 05, 11:20 PM

My coffee house visit was not as positive as Glenn's are...

I've just come back from visiting a new coffee shop in our town, they wanted to see me about a new sign for the business.

The only customers there were two elderly Scots, man and wife.
When I walked in wearing green polo shirt, USAK 4 yard Gunn tartan and short socks and boots, the man immediately exclaimed "now there's an insult to the Scots!!".

Well, I was there to discuss work with the owner, not to engage in debate, but I did get a few replies out.

I replied that I didn't know Scots were so easily insulted, and that most scots I meet are please to see someone else proudly displaying the kilt.

I further said that the Scots aren't doing much with them and it was time that the world knew what a wonderful garment they are to wear outside of Pipe bands and weddings...and besides, why should the Scots have all the fun!!

Without knowing anything about me, my heritage or birthplace, he proceeded to say that the Americans have "ruined" kilts.
(I didn't tell him the one I was wearing was made in the USA).

Finally, I asked him where his kilt was, he was sitting there in trousers.

His wife tried to say that her husband was only joking, but I could tell the man was quite serious.

What a sad case he was, I'm glad he doesn't represent all Scots. I was tempted to say that with all my involvements and promotion of celtic things - I'm probably a better scot than he is!! (but there's no point in saying anything).

Well that was the first negative comment ever received, and after 2 years of wearing kilts - that's not bad!

**Andrew Breecher** · 9th February 05, 12:11 AM

I said this in another thread, but in the bar I work at I often run into Scots, and they always have positive things to say about my kilt - and I wear a Utilikilt at work (our dress code is khaki).

Andrew.

**philibeg** · 9th February 05, 02:07 AM

I notice, as time goes by, that I am getting less and less tolerant of the intolerant Scot. I really just don't feel I need anybody's permission to wear what i want, be it kilt, trousers or spacesuit. Most of my Scottish friends love my kiltwearing mania (indeed, they got me started), but every once in a while I run into a grump with a grudge, which is what this guy's problem was. He hates m :x odern kilts and was just waiting for a chance to vent.

**Ugly Bear** · 9th February 05, 04:19 AM

Originally Posted by Graham

Without knowing anything about me, my heritage or birthplace, he proceeded to say that the Americans have "ruined" kilts.

Yeah, all one-quarter-of-one-percent of us. An ocean away, and we're ruining heritage. I suppose that if none of us EVER wore kilts, he'd complain that his culture was being ignored and belittled.

It's getting to the point where all complaints about America are just becoming noise. Everything we do is wrong; everything we don't do is worse.

Anyway, I saw "Trainspotting," and I say Scots are ruining blue jeans. RUINING them, I say!

**Graham** · 9th February 05, 04:44 AM

Yeah, all one-quarter-of-one-percent of us. An ocean away, and we're ruining heritage.

That's a good point, I'm frankly amazed that he should suddenly mention the Americans, I said nothing about it being a USA Kilt, he's a bit of a nutter I'd say.

I'd be a liar if I said it didn't shake me just a little, I've never had such a direct attack from someone who should know better.
Still, he's a local, I'll run into him again when I'm not restrained by the presence of a client and the need to be professional, and then I'll have a wee chat with him

**Doc Hudson** · 9th February 05, 07:25 AM

I suppose the stereo-type of the gruff, grouchy Scot had to originate some where. Looks like you found him.

Be careful Graham, that old buzzard might be near on to three hundred years old. He might fall apart if you give him a good blast. Then you'd have to find a broom and dustpan to clean him off the floor.

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 9th February 05, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by Graham

"now there's an insult to the Scots!!".

Your restraint is admirable. Some lesser men would have told him that his current state of sobriety, and his extravagant spending at a coffee shop was doing the same thing.

I like to wear my snakeskin cowboy boots (not with a kilt). I've had them for years and they're the most comfortable things that I own. Some "yokel" at a western bar in the area told me that no one would be caught dead in them on a farm. Now, this guy was born and raised in the city. I was born and raised in Kansas, and worked for years on a farm as the top hand.

Take his comments as a guy that would complain if the Lord himself shook his hand. Unfortunately, you ran into him on a job.

In the United States, there's an unwritten mandate that all of our guys like that have to relocate to South Florida.

**macwilkin** · 9th February 05, 08:54 AM

I feel sorry for the man's wife, having to make excuses for her husband's lack of manners! :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd

**Uncle Ricky** · 9th February 05, 09:28 AM

[quote="Graham"]
When I walked in wearing green polo shirt, USAK 4 yard Gunn tartan and short socks and boots, the man immediately exclaimed "now there's an insult to the Scots!!".

It would seem to me that this fellows rudeness is the greater insult to the Scots.