My Tartan Day experiences...

[chasem]

To preface, I usually only throw the kilt on on fridays. But I figured I'd wear it to my classes (local community college) thursday in honor of Tartan Day.



So, I put on the kilt - somewhat casual (navy polo shirt, SWK Black Watch Heavyweight kilt, navy hose and tennis shoes). I expected it to be about the same as any normal day, but about half way to class I had a pleasant thought. Most of the people in my Tuesday/Thursday classes have never seen me kilted.

So, I walk into the building that my first class is in, and I'm on my way to the room. An older gentleman, early 50's or so, steps out of the room I am actually going to, sees me coming and takes a step back. I act as though I don't have any idea he's noticed me, until he looks me up and down.

Then he puts his hand under his chin, ponders for a moment, and points at me saying, "Now there is a man who has great regard for his heritage!"

I couldn't help but grin as I agreed with him, and we ended up having a 5-10 minute conversation about family background, Scotland, etc. He starts to walk off, and comments "Don't let any body knock you for that, son. Have a good day." It felt great to see someone else so pleased with a person taking pride in their background.



So, I walk on into the classroom, and make my way to my seat, and one of the young ladies who sits near me catches a glimpse of the kilt and says "I thought you only wore that on Fridays?" (Apparently she's in one of my other classes - I don't know how I hadn't noticed before.)

She was being very inquisitive, so I explained briefly about Tartan Day, and what it means. Her response... "Oh! I'm glad you told me that! My fiance is Scottish! I'll have to impress him by telling him what I learned today!"

So there's situation #2 to help brighten my day!




After that class, I was going to go to the library to do some studying. Well, I got to the building at least... When I got there, there was a lady in her late 40's, early 50's talking on the cell phone. We made eye contact, so I smiled and nodded "hello" like I often do, and her face lit up! "I love it! That looks great! (to the phone) Tom I'll have to call you back! There's a young man in a kilt here and I've got to talk to him! I'll call you back okay?"

Long story short, her family goes back to Ireland, and she's very into celtic history. We ended up talking for half an hour or so, with her asking all sorts of different questions.



All in all it was a fantastic day kilted!

[pdcorlis]

Now that's what I call a GREAT day!

[GMan]

Piece of cake wasn't it? You did well, wonderful feeling isn't it?

That was nice to hear.

[BLAZN]

Sounds like a most excellant day.

My Tartan day went wholly uncelebrated. There were no events happening way out here in the most unScottish of places (Hawaii), plus I had to work.

Again, though... I'm glad you had such a rockin' Tartan Day!

[macwilkin]

Sounds like a most excellant day.

My Tartan day went wholly uncelebrated. There were no events happening way out here in the most unScottish of places (Hawaii), plus I had to work.

Again, though... I'm glad you had such a rockin' Tartan Day!

Don't be too sure about that:

http://www.scotshawaii.org/

http://www.scotsinhawaii.org/

http://www.saintandrewsocietyofhawaii.com/

http://www.rscdshawaii.org/

There are at least two pipe bands in Hawaii as well.

BTW, a wee bit of trivia: Princess Kaiulani of the Hawaiian monarchy was half-Scottish:

http://www.electricscotland.com/history/women/wh36.htm

Never understimate the Scottish diaspora! :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd

[mbhandy]

What a great story of PRINCESS KAIULANI. I am sure it was the Scottish side of the family that gave her the courage to face the press of America.

MrBill

[BLAZN]

http://www.scotshawaii.org/

I shall have to keep tabs on this link... it discusses a rescheduling of the Scottish Festival that didn't happen on April 1&2.

BTW, a wee bit of trivia: Princess Kaiulani of the Hawaiian monarchy was half-Scottish:

http://www.electricscotland.com/history/women/wh36.htm

Interesting. I have to admit... my Hawaiian history is weak at best. I'm a Hoosier by birth and devine right. Hawaii is simply where I've been temporarily exiled by the Navy.

[bubba]

Hawaii is simply where I've been temporarily exiled by the Navy.

I could sure enjoy that kind of exile, far from subzero temps and snow.