Subjected to 'racial abuse' while kilted - sorry if length and/or content offends

[Troy]

I like this story better than the other ones.

The mouthpiece in the initial story had a group of friends trying to silence him. Avoid your own racism by recognizing that 80% were trying to keep the peace. Hmm, that sounded harsh, wasn't intended that strong.

I get your point, Archangel, but I must stress that I am not racist, even if one of the responses I made to this little fool was unfortunate. The only reason I mentioned that these young fellas were Middle Eastern is that the antagonist used that fact as a springboard from which to attack me. I happen to live in an area of Sydney with a large Lebanese Muslim population and I have rarely had any problems - even walking, while kilted, through a group of Lebanese "homeboys" at the train station.

I make no assumptions about anyone's character based on their ethnicity or religion, but I have enough street smarts to know this - one day soon the aggressive and venomous little scroat who took a shot at me will be at the receiving end of a flogging at the hands of someone far less tolerant than me. Unfortunately, however, as is the way of the streets his innocent mates will probably cop it with him. (I speak from experience, having been on the receiving end of a severe kicking as the result of a stupid comment made by a smartmouthed friend.)

Sorry for the rant, but I just wanted to clarify my position.

Regards,

Troy

[emolas]

READ A BOOK!"

Sorta like my favorite phrase: RTFM

My favorite comeback when somebody says something suggestive about what they and my mother have done is to thank them for being kind to her because she's over 60, fat, toothless, and hasn't seen much action in a while. I have yet to see anyone come back from that one.

I think it was well handled. A good joke or just plain ignoring someone does wonders to take the wind out of their sails. Like I tell my kids, fighting is foolish and it takes two to fight so if you aren't fighting then the other person is just making a fool of themselves all alone.

[keepoffgrass]

Living in the states and seeing the growing lack of respect for people in general, weather it be racial or other wise, I wonder if ignoring things and acting "the better man" is the best action to take. That seems to be the philosophy anymore, and lack of respect just seems to get worse and worse. People get pushed around more and more. Maybe if everyone was more apt to "teaching a punk a lesson" for being blatantly disrespectful for various reasons, people may be more likely to keep their ignorant mouths shut. Maybe if Troy would have just spanked the little punk, like he obviously needed, he would think better before doing it again? Not a very "politically correct" thing to say, I know. But whats worse, a culture of spoiled brats thinking they can do and say what ever they want to people, while the others just ignore or whine about it? Or a culture where if you step out of line, someones gunna give you a swift kick in the pants for acting like a little punk. The guy was out of line, a lesson should have been taught. Pretty much, lets face it, the culture where everyone gets along and treats everyone with respect, where we all live in harmony with various cultures isnt going to happen any time soon. We as a culture didnt get to where we are in the world being passive nice people, but we'll sure loose our place at the table fast being that way. Just a little reality. If Wallace had just ignored things and turned his head the other way, then the punks comment wouldnt have been out of line would it?

[Bryan]

Living in the states and seeing the growing lack of respect for people in general, weather it be racial or other wise, I wonder if ignoring things and acting "the better man" is the best action to take. That seems to be the philosophy anymore, and lack of respect just seems to get worse and worse. People get pushed around more and more. Maybe if everyone was more apt to "teaching a punk a lesson" for being blatantly disrespectful for various reasons, people may be more likely to keep their ignorant mouths shut. Maybe if Troy would have just spanked the little punk, like he obviously needed, he would think better before doing it again? Not a very "politically correct" thing to say, I know. But whats worse, a culture of spoiled brats thinking they can do and say what ever they want to people, while the others just ignore or whine about it? Or a culture where if you step out of line, someones gunna give you a swift kick in the pants for acting like a little punk. The guy was out of line, a lesson should have been taught. Pretty much, lets face it, the culture where everyone gets along and treats everyone with respect, where we all live in harmony with various cultures isnt going to happen any time soon. We as a culture didnt get to where we are in the world being passive nice people, but we'll sure loose our place at the table fast being that way. Just a little reality. If Wallace had just ignored things and turned his head the other way, then the punks comment wouldnt have been out of line would it?

I feel the exact same way, but I just didn't know how to say it. Young folks don't have any respect for their elders, or anybody for that matter, like we did when I was their age (which wasn't all that long ago). Sure, I got into a lot of "mischief" when I was a young lad, but we were never obnoxious or rude. That little SOB deserved a swift kick in the a**!

[staticsan]

It's interesting to see that all it takes is one delusional individual to bias perception of all (or most) people of the same ethnic ancestry. Yet it takes work to remind us that most people in same group are ordinary people.

On a related topic, I'm also a Sydney-sider, from the legendary Shire. I don't wear my kilts out much, though, due to various reasons, including not really being allowed to wear one at work. My next big kilted outing will be with some friends at a pub on Saturday. They've seen me kilted before, note. But I haven't been to a pub so, yet.

Wade.

[Riverkilt]

A variation of "Read a Book" that I like is, "Excuse me, do you have a library card?" Doesn't matter whether they answer yes or no. One can then say, "There are some wonderful books on (insert the appropriate subject) at the library."

Ron

[Gaisgeil]

First I must say the attitude of labeling a whole range of cultures based on some individuals is unwise. It's not racial nor is it cultural, we're talking about individuals here. There are ignorant members of all groups, lets not forget that, judge the person!

On another note I must say I agree with the sentiments above, I really feel like people need to stand up to those out there who think they can do or say whatever they feel like to whomever they feel like. Is this a side-effect to the litigatious nature so prevalent in the US right now or is this a global thing? I can say for sure though that I think you handled yourself pretty well, I probably would have had a harder time keeping my cool personally.

[auld argonian]

You're hitting a nerve here...

I'm sure that people have been saying that things are going to hell in a handbasket forever. I can just see Atilla saying, "These young Huns got no respect." It's not just young people it's everybody.

Somehow, though, an In-Your-Face attitude has become acceptable...a virtue almost. I've had several people demand "civility" from me while they act in selfish and reckless ways. My definition of "civility" has become, "Standing there being polite while the other guy repeatedly kicks you in the crotch."

Popular culture has helped make this acceptable. Professional athletes act badly and it's written off to some kind of excusable aggressiveness. American Basketball, both pro and pick-up games, is full of people who are blatantly fouling the other players and then saying stuff like, "Hey...it's a physical game. No harm, no foul." One of my current favorites is, "My bad.", which I guess is a sort of non-apology when you want to acknowledge that you did something wrong but don't really care if you apologize.

Can't begin to list the movies that have used bad behaviour as a COMIC device...COMIC...it's for effect...it's supposed to be FUNNY; it's still not the way that people act in REAL LIFE. "Animal House", "Ferris Buehler"...there's lots of them where this goes on and there seems to be a of of people who see this and think that they've got a pass to act that way in real life because it's funny and they get attention.

Punks mouth off...punks have always mouthed off and I've encountered punks of all ages. It's a judgement call as to whether you just let it slide or come up with a witty rejoinder...or a reciprocal insult or a mind-blowing demonstration of profanity guaranteed to convince the offender that he has definitely chosen the wrong cowboy to screw around with.

Seeing as I haven't seen any posts from members who are recounting the details of the night they spent in jail because some dumb-*** made the mistake of insulting their kilt and the resulting exchange of bon mots ended up in fisticuffs, I'm assuming that you guys are choosing wisely.

Best

AA

[davedove]

While in Las Vegas for Labor Day weekend I had my own experience with a group of middle easterners. A group of about 10 young Egyptians stopped me outside a casino and very politely asked me about my kilt. They were very nice and we had a great conversation. They would not let me leave until each had their picture taken with me. It was a fun experience...

And that shows the difference between those who like to learn new things and those who think they know it all.

[Perldog007]

Some very interesting view points here. I have to stand on my initial position. If someone is merely exposing their latent fantasies by calling you a homosexual, ignore it.

I am far from a pacifist. This dog has been in well over one hundred "scraps". Of course being on duty and having no other choice has a lot to do with that. If a man has to fight then he has to fight. The only civilized response to violence IMHO is to hand it back in spades.

Having said that, a punk spouting self revealing nonsense is not violence. If you are confident in your ability to take care of business the school of thought i was brought up in says you are confident enough to walk away from stupidity.

If stupid then blocks your path, different story.

People do get punched and kicked and worse for saying stupid things. By other stupid people.

If wearing the most masculine garment in the world doesn't give you enough confidence to walk away, what will?