Shooting ourselves in the foot!

**Celticman** · 8th June 05, 01:58 PM

Hello all,

This is a pretty interesting topic...I thought I would throw my 2¢ in on the subject.

I live in South Louisiana, which isn't exactly a hot-bed of celtic culture and it gets rather tiresome having to answer the "do you wear a skirt, too, like those people in that...what's the name of that movie?" questions when I tell someone I'm Scottish! So, I tell them that "Yes, I wear a KILT just like the people in Rob Roy", knowing full well what movie they're refering to, but it throws them off a bit.

I have been a victim of the "what will others think of me" bug and it bothers me a bit. It is a shame that I feel this way, but it is hardly the fault of others. When I see someone wearing African or Arab garb I don't make fun of them and I wonder how they go about their lives wearing the clothing they wear. I also don't really notice other people making fun of them either. Then I observe them a bit and what I notice most about them is their purpose. They see nothing wrong with their clothing and so they don't care what others think.

I guess what is really at the heart of the "problem" is how I perceive myself, not how others see me. In the end I don't want to care what others think of me I just want to feel good about who I am. That is a much harder task to accomplish. How I feel about me is reflected in the confidence in myself I project to others.

I keep telling my friends that I'm going to go to Walmart wearing my kilt on a Saturday at noon. I may just do that some day soon!

**macwilkin** · 8th June 05, 02:18 PM

I live in South Louisiana, which isn't exactly a hot-bed of celtic culture...

Check out these folks just down the road:

www.celts1.com (Celtic Society of La.)

http://www.angelfire.com/la2/sasbr/ (St. Andrew's Society of Baton Rouge)

http://www.csbr.org/ (Caledonian Society of Baton Rouge)

And one just for fun: http://home.netcom.com/~rsbo/cajun.htm

I know several of them -- great bunch of people! And all three groups were instrumental in getting official recognition of the Louisiana State Tartan.

My wife's people are Melancons.

Cheers,

Todd (Cajun by the ring & back-door!)

**Celticman** · 8th June 05, 02:27 PM

Well, yes, that is true. I do know the groups you are talking about. We also have a pretty good Highland Games in Jackson, LA each November ( www.lahighlandgames.com ). And, there probably are a bunch more groups around if I dug deep enough, even in Lafayette.

**macwilkin** · 8th June 05, 02:35 PM

We have a lot of Ulster-Scots (Scots-Irish) heritage here in Southwest Missouri, but few people are really aware of it. You'd be surprised how many times when I first started wearing the kilt when people would make a snide or rude comment about it, I would ask them their last name & it would be Campbell, MacDonald, etc. :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd

**Dreadbelly** · 8th June 05, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

We have a lot of Ulster-Scots (Scots-Irish) heritage here in Southwest Missouri, but few people are really aware of it. You'd be surprised how many times when I first started wearing the kilt when people would make a snide or rude comment about it, I would ask them their last name & it would be Campbell, MacDonald, etc. :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd

Must... Keep... Head... From... Exploding...

**Geoduck** · 8th June 05, 03:02 PM

I have to admit that whenever I glare at someone while walking down the street, whether for driving like a jerk or staring at the kilt, I always find myself feeling guilty. Almost without fail, I end up thinking, "If I am being rude, am I representing the kilt poorly to strangers?" I don't think this way when wearing a UK, but almost always with a tartan. Actually, depending on location, I find that I'm better off putting on sunglasses and a perma-glare, just to avoid an incident with locals; my wife just finds the idea of me trying to look tough kind of humerous. Oh well

**Dreadbelly** · 8th June 05, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by Celticman

I have been a victim of the "what will others think of me" bug and it bothers me a bit. It is a shame that I feel this way, but it is hardly the fault of others. When I see someone wearing African or Arab garb I don't make fun of them and I wonder how they go about their lives wearing the clothing they wear. I also don't really notice other people making fun of them either. Then I observe them a bit and what I notice most about them is their purpose. They see nothing wrong with their clothing and so they don't care what others think.

Whoa there buddy, hold up. Trust me, those poor folk get made fun of. The South is not a nice place.

I see folk wearing garmets from their homelands all the time and they ALWAYS getting hassled by some dumb redneck. About a week or so ago, a group of folk (Two women from India and a man of Middle Eastern origins) were getting harassed and hassled by some of the local goons. Ignorant dipsticks kept calling the guy stuff like "towelhead" and worse, horrible obcene names involving fornication with camels... Words were bad enough, and got my attention. (As well as making my blood boil) But then it turned into a shoving match of two on one and sexually demeaning the womenfolk.

I had to beat two guys down into the sidewalk and educate them on proper respect for your fellow human being for their behaviour. Some folk, that's the only way they learn. :x

And on subject, these folks will forever have a good image of the kilt wearing gentleman.

People are going to talk about us. We stand out. We might as well give them something good to talk about.

And Celticman, wear your kilt where ever you please. It is your right. Just stand up straight, stick your chest out, broaden your shoulders, adjust your buckle, mind your hose (Entendre intended) and go out into the world.

Dare to be different.