Obnoxiously long ramble; past, present and future of kilt-wearing for yours truly

**Uncle Ricky** · 11th March 09, 03:59 PM

Excellent post Alan.
There is way too much "Small Stuff" being sweated here.
Far better to cherish our relationships.. especially those who love us.

Respectfully,
Rick

**mddock58** · 11th March 09, 05:23 PM

Thanks Alan, I could go on with what I am faced with as well, but this is your thread, and no need to play that "I got one too" game.

I agree with your intent, as well as the comments that Todd added.

Overall it is our lives and our loved ones that matter.

Regards

**DWFII** · 11th March 09, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by Wolfgore

This isn't meant to be disrespectful of the history or where the kilt came from, but if you just like wearing it, who cares about all that and why would anyone think it necessary?
For anyone that takes issue with that statement I ask you this, did you spend hours tracing back and learning the history of jeans the first time you put a pair on? Have you done it now? I would guess probably not. Why? It is just clothes. In the grand scheme of things, that is what it amounts to, and that is what a kilt is. Just clothes, something to put on to cover the naughty bits when out in public because that is what society says we are expected to do.

Of course they're just garments...just clothes. So are vestments. And paratrooper boots. And the black robes of the judge. And the blue uniforms of the policeman. And, if you really get right down to it...ask a real, sure-enuff cowboy what he thinks of people, wearing cowboy boots and hats, who aren't really "hands."

I have been making cowboy boots...in ranch country...for more than 35 years. If anyone has a right to wear the clothes, who was not a hand, I suspect the case could be made for someone in my profession and with my experience. But I don't wear hats and I don't wear wild rags and I don't pretend. Why? Because I respect the fellows who are hands enough that I don't want to diminish them...or their culture. In this part of the country it's called "stealing another man's thunder." I do wear boots.

I suspect that the only way to avoid doing that (stealing their thunder) to our Scottish brethren...and this is my opinion, only...is to accept what we have inherited at face value. Not try to interpret or change it. Or dilute it or diminish its meanings or importance. Or make it more "festive" (to borrow a word used in another thread).

It reminds me again of all the people who join the Church and then spend years of their lives railing against, or reinterpreting, the teachings of the Church.

Take it to its logical extreme and pretty soon there's nothing left of what attracted you in the first place. The integrity has been undermined by "interpretation" and the dignity has been exhausted trying to preserve some semblance of all that was good and glorious.

I guess then you move on to another church...or another set of clothes.

**Raphael** · 11th March 09, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by DWFII

I suspect that the only way to avoid doing that (stealing their thunder) to our Scottish brethren...and this is my opinion, only...is to accept what we have inherited at face value. Not try to interpret or change it. Or dilute it or diminish its meanings or importance. Or make it more "festive" (to borrow a word used in another thread).

That's too bad if that is how you view the kilt. Plenty people had made improvement to it and I assume people will continue to do that for years to come.

**DWFII** · 11th March 09, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by Raphael

That's too bad if that is how you view the kilt. Plenty people had made improvement to it and I assume people will continue to do that for years to come.

Well, I don't feel that way at all. In fact, I feel enriched...closer to my ancestors. Closer to an understanding of the people and the culture.

Would you wear a pien-fu tunic with a pair of oversized shorts hanging down around your ankles?

If you don't at least see the analogy...that would be too bad., in my opinion.

**Bugbear** · 11th March 09, 08:14 PM

You know, the reason I was agreeing with Todd is because my tartan was insulted not too long ago in a blindly ilogical way, and probably out of hate. At the same time, and these are trolls we are talking about, another groups tartan was being attacked and insulted in a peralell way. I read the reactions to those insults before and after the things were stated about my tartan. I understood on an emotional level what they were upset over and felt some of the same feelings in my own case.

It very much changed my prospective on much of these things we are talking about in relation to Highland attire, and especially clan tartans. And that goes for whether it is adapted to other cultures or done as in Scotland. There is an essence and spirit to it all.

**Alan H** · 11th March 09, 08:14 PM

Gentlemen, MUST we fight in EVERY

SINGLE

post?

**Bigkahuna** · 11th March 09, 08:14 PM

I've been involved in emergency medicine for over 20 years and if it's one thing that I've learned it is to cherish your family for they can be gone in the blink of an eye. Know that you and your loved ones are in my prayers.Kilts aren't even in the running in this one.

**DWFII** · 11th March 09, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by Alan H

Gentlemen, MUST we fight in EVERY

SINGLE

post?

Come on, Alan!

Who is fighting?

If every difference of opinion and every disagreement is deemed a fight, then someone ought to write out a canon of acceptable opinions so we can all subscribe. Or not.

With all due respect...and I am sincere in that...what were you looking for in the way of response to your original post?

Can any one of us, short of the mods closing a thread, control the direction a conversation takes? Should we if we could?