"I'm sorry Sir, with respect, but no!"

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

...You never know where those hands have been!

Glassman, an excellent point, and a great reason to decline shaking anybody's hand. If you follow Donald Trump at all, you will know that he is a germ-a-phobe and hates the fact that people want to shake his hand. He does it, but studiously washes his hands as soon as possible.

[highlander_Daz]

last time I shook hands with a politician I counted my fingers afterwards!!!!!

[Blu (Ontario)]

While this incident may seem like a rather benign case of bad manners, it is a clear indication of how strong basic tribal instincs remain in people despite civilzation. Hatreds such as this are like a simmering volcano that can erupt after sometimes generations of quiescence with often tragic results. Eastern Europe being a recent example. Sectarian tendancies seem to be an intrinsic characterisitc of humans and takes logic and much effort to overcome. A step, it would seem, which some folks simply are not willing to take.

[highlander_Daz]

Your right Blu it never ceases to amaze me that people think they can be as rude as they like so long as the preface it with "but with respect"- sort of reminds me of "Im not a racist but"-

I remember a chap who went on about forgiveness a couple of thousand years ago seem to remember his father was a carpenter.

[The Wizard of BC]

After the firestorm this thread seems to have raised I thought I had better get the word from the young man himself.

My wife called the Grandmother who called Johnathan who called me last night.

John is a rather diminutive guy. At the age of 13 he is the youngest and smallest member of his band. They put him right out front when they play and it makes quite the picture.

It also seems that John is related to Priemer Gordon Campbell by marriage. The relation is not close enough to be invited to the man's house but the two have met on two occasions when John was much younger.

I was very impressed by the maturity this young man presented on the phone. According to him the day in question had been a long and tiring one. He had been photographed about a gazillion times that day and everyone was ready to go home. At the last minute John saw the Priemere approching and thought he had been recognized by his kissing cousin.

It seems that the Priemer had not realized he was related to John and was just trying to get another photo op to top off the day. John made the comment to remind him. The MacDonald vs Campbell thing is appearantly an inside family joke. I this case it seems to have worked.

John made the comment, the Premier put on his best shocked stage face, John got to storm off in front of all his older friends, and everyone got a great story.

Out of sight and hearing of the Grandmother, John and the Premier had a good laugh and a proper family reunion.

Yes, John was a bit miffed that he wasn't recognized by a relative. Yes his feelings were hurt for a moment. But I think he handled it with suprising aplomb for someone so young. The Premier got his photo, John got his dignity, and everyone else got a great story.

And that is all it is. A great little story. No hidden centuries old feud being mouthed by another generation of bigots. Just a 7th grader saying hi to his famous relative in a humorous way.

[Southern Breeze]

LOL. Thats a great story.

[Lee]

I thought it was a hoot, Steve. Thanks for sharing.

Lee

[Riverkilt]

Thanks for the inside dope Steve.

A young man of 13, kilted, with a mind and a sense of humor like that and more than ample huevos, IS going to go a long way in this world. Keep your eye on him.

Ron

[kiltimabar]

I was glad to get the real "rest of the story" on this issue. The old Highland rivalries are interesting history, but no-one now living should be held responsible for them. I'm a descendant of the Macleans, which like many other clans was roughly treated by the Campbells, only in this case it coulda been the Macleans' fault, but that's another story.

I was wondering about the Glencoe monument; I remember reading years ago about a rock cairn monument somewhere in Scotland--could it have been Glencoe?--where every Macdonald that visits lays on a stone, and every Campbell that passes knocks one off. Anyone know where that is?

[Robin]

This is truly an amazing forum with amazing people!