Stopped by police

**ccga3359** · 7th February 08, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by GG

Thank you for all the answers.
I might, of course, have been overreacting as it is the overall opinion here. As Grant says, it was not confrontational in any way.
"If it had been a random citizen asking you the same thing, would you still be insulted?" Streetcar asks. No, I wouldn’t.
The difference is that a cop in a uniform is an “official” person and in our society he, as a principal rule, is not supposed to talk to citizens unless he has observed something illegal or he is investigating a committed crime. I guess that in your countries the police may have other rights.
Recently we have experienced increasing violence and the usage of knives and guns in Denmark. Here new rules established by the Minister of Justice specifically allow the police within certain well defined areas of Copenhagen and for a limited time on a random basis to investigate and check if people are carrying knives and other weapons. It is no longer permitted to carry knives with a blade exceeding a few inch unless you are a scout. The possessing and wearing of guns is and has always been strictly forbidden. But outside these neighborhoods cops cannot without reasonable suspicion check if people are breaking the law. In neighborhoods where drug dealers operate the police cannot legally check position of drugs unless they observe something unusual.

That is why I being - and with my camera around my neck looking like - a tourist feel offended when a policeman stops his car and is telling me that wearing a kilt is uncommon.

Greg

www.dress2kilt.eu

I assumed in Denmark, as it is in Canada and from what I remember In England, not common at all to see a man in a kilt unless it was an official function (parade or such). Then perhaps this Policeman knew something about traditional Scottish attire including the carring of a sgian dubh and was checking to see if you were indeed "armed". The laws and police proceedure do indeed sound similar here.

**mbhandy** · 7th February 08, 10:58 PM

Originally Posted by GG

That is why I being - and with my camera around my neck looking like - a tourist feel offended when a policeman stops his car and is telling me that wearing a kilt is uncommon.

Greg

www.dress2kilt.eu

Well you were wearing a Kilt in Sweden.

Wait that is close to Scotland.

Now if you had spoken English to him he might have said "Carry on".

MrBill

**Woodsman** · 7th February 08, 11:37 PM

There's a policeman in Bethlehem, PA that wears a kilt as part of his official uniform during the Cletic Festival. He looks pretty sharp. Someone posted a picture of him here some time ago if you haven't seen it. Sorry, don't have the link.

**Streetcar** · 8th February 08, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by GG

..."If it had been a random citizen asking you the same thing, would you still be insulted?" Streetcar asks. No, I wouldn’t.
The difference is that a cop in a uniform is an “official” person and in our society he, as a principal rule, is not supposed to talk to citizens unless he has observed something illegal or he is investigating a committed crime...

Wow. That is a truly sad state of affairs. Can you imagine not being able to tell someone "Good morning," "Nice day," or "How much do I owe you for the coffee?"

GG · 8th February 08, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by Streetcar

Wow. That is a truly sad state of affairs. Can you imagine not being able to tell someone "Good morning," "Nice day," or "How much do I owe you for the coffee?"

OK. “Talk to” might not be the correct description. I should have written “ask questions” or something like that.
That said; to my experience Americans in general are by far more open minded and better at small talking than are we. Don’t misunderstand me. I like the way you do it.
But these, shall we say cultural differences, do that we don’t expect to be stopped in the street by a cop – unless he has a good reason to.
If he was standing in a bar having a cup of coffee it would be quite another matter. Then he is no longer “official” despite his uniform. Then he could make all the comments and ask all the questions he liked to.

A sad state of affairs? We don't think so.
Have a nice weekend!

Greg

**Dan R Porter** · 9th February 08, 08:29 AM

Yesturday I was wearing my kilt and I ran into the gas station to purchase a couple things and the lady laughed and asked me what i was wearing. I replied "A t-shirt, but I am sure your asking about the kilt." she says "Kilt? what does that mean?" guess not everyone knows what a kilt is. I can only imagine her thoughts as I left. Last time I go to that gas station.

**mbhandy** · 9th February 08, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by Dan R Porter

"Kilt? what does that mean?" guess not everyone knows what a kilt is. I can only imagine her thoughts as I left. Last time I go to that gas station.

Oh come on now, Give the Clerk a cheap thrill and go back. Sooner or latter she will ask you what you wear under your kilt and you get to give her all the standard replies and make her day.

MrBill

**staticsan** · 10th February 08, 07:30 PM

I had a few reactions from officials whilst on holiday and kilted in the US a few months ago. The first was from a customs official who was probably enjoying what would have been an unusual (and possible amusing) sight at the end of a long shift, although all she was was "Nice skirt". Another was from a gudie in the Metropolitan Museum in NY who sounded like she'd been dared... :-/ No police stopped me, though.

Wade.