Gentlemen, polish your shoes

[JSFMACLJR]

Why do the chiefs come then? Are they embarrassed to be there, too?

As for getting back on topic, I was just happy to come home with dry shoes, to say nothing of them being shined, but then again, I didn't bring any that required much of a shine.

Regards,
Rex.

I don't think they are, Rex, but I know that some of them get a good kick out of it all! The chiefs I know who have been to games over here enjoy the experience greatly, because it means so much to their clansmen who get the chance to meet them.

[Panache]

...When Jock Scot posted his opinion, I wondered to myself how long it would take for some enraged XMarker to play the "please don't set your own petty rules for we here in the United States" gambit. Not very long, bigdad1.

Sandford,

We are an international forum and one of the wonderful things about this place is an acceptance and understanding that in different places people do things differently.

For Jock Scot to note the differences is one thing, to offer his somewhat ...

...err...

...forward

critique is another.

America is not Scotland, neither is Canada, nor any other country in the world.

But there is something that calls to us from that land that is a common bond.

We are better off celebrating that bond instead of focusing and criticising the different ways we celebrate it

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[JSFMACLJR]

I hear what you are saying, Jamie!

Best regards,
Sandford

[raibeart_dubh]

Folks,

I have never been to Scotland but having had long chats with those who have I must concede that highland games are very different things there as opposed to Canada and the USA

I ask the Scots on XMTS to realize that here in North America highland games are not just about athletic competition, but a celebration of Scotland and things Celtic.

They are a nexus of Scottish heavy athletics, Highland dance, Scottish Country Dance, Scottish Music, traditional crafts, Scottish foods, Scottish
apparel, the connection we have with our roots, and all things Celtic

Whether one is interested in history, music, dance, food, shopping, heritage, athletics, craftsmanship or some combination of all the above our games in North America provide what you are looking for.

They are a Scottish and Celtic heritage celebration

They are going to be different than a highland games held in Scotland that is going to be more about the athletic competition.

This is neither good nor bad

Only different

Isn't it wonderful that the tradition of highland games has spread beyond Scotland?

Isn't it wonderful that this tradition continues?

Let's accept there are differences and embrace the wonder of diversity

Here in the USA I can say that those that attend a highland games can find all manner of fun and informative things

They aren't perfect, but most are able to find that that speaks to them.

So let's be happy they exist and continue, hopefully thrive and stop quibbling about what is done there or here.

Just an idea





So getting back to the subject at hand...

I believe firmly in making sure one's shoes look nice at the start of each day

Being seen at the end of a highland games with one's shoes covered in dust simply says that you walked the games and enjoyed them.

Being seen at the beginning of a highland games with one's shoes covered in dust says that you aren't willing to put in the extra effort.

I'm not going to hold it against those that don't bother with their shoes but to me a gentleman always tries his best to keep his appearance neat

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

I'm with you Jamie! I also respect and agree with Jock and Sandford's opinions. We're a very mixed bunch here and there is a lot to be learned from both sides of any discussion. That being said, I love this place and let's keep up the great conversations!

[Panache]

I hear what you are saying, Jamie!

Best regards,
Sandford

Sanford,

My thanks


Everyone,

Could we go back to the original subject?

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[Bigkahuna]

I always polish my shoes before I go out. If they get abit dusty I just run my shoe down the back of my leg. It gets the dust off quite nicely.

[macwilkin]

Wow! Aren't you just a little too excited about this?

If Jock cannot voice his opinion because he isn't an American, than I will! I agree with what my friend wrote. I will be glad to "chastise" you for failing to understand another's point of view, and getting on that America First charger you're riding on and riding blindly into the fray.

My "personal mark of excellence" is very high, my friend, and what I see at many of the games I attend does not meet my standards. I actually get embarrassed at some games! I am especially embarrassed for the clan chiefs who so kindly come over here to attend our games and "wave the flag," as it were. It is rather nauseating to see the American pseudo-Scots in their interpretation of Highland dress fawning over a noble chief, bowing and scraping and getting all in a tizzy.

When Jock Scot posted his opinion, I wondered to myself how long it would take for some enraged XMarker to play the "please don't set your own petty rules for we here in the United States" gambit. Not very long, bigdad1.

Sandy,

Please remember, however, that not every American citizen is "disrespectful" of the customs and traditions of Highland attire. I am proud to be American citizen with Scottish heritage, and I try my best to honour both the land from which my ancestors came and their contributions to this country, including a fair number who served in the armed forces of the United States. My great-uncle Robert, for example, served in Iceland alongside the Tyneside Scottish, and my grandfather served with Brits, Aussies, Kiwis and Indians in the "forgotten" China-Burma-India Theatre.

I am a proud American citizen who is respectful of our Commonwealth cousins and their traditions.

Regards,

Todd

[MarkMcM]

Just an observation here, but I see the value in both sides of the argument. There is much to be said for maintaining the protocols of custom and tradition. After all, it is the force that drives the subject matter at hand. On the other hand, traditional dress will invariably adapt itself to suite the environment in which it is found (a phenomena that applies to all manner of dress, amazingly enough). In this regard, you 'new world' kilt types should afford some respect for the traditionalists, without whom you may very well be wearing your kilt an inch above the ankle. Likewise, you traditionalists might afford some respect in the direction of the 'new world' kilters, who act as ambassadors in plaid to those yet to discover the heritage.

[Nighthawk]

I ALWAYS polish my shoes. So they get dusty. If they are well polished, a trained eye can still tell how they started the day.

Here are my shoes after an outdoor wedding reception:


Here are my dust covered shoes at the Argyllshire Gathering, dirty, but one can certainly tell by the toes that they started the day with a good shine!

You make an excellent point! But to me, those look like tuxedo shoes- or semi formal at the very least. So to restate my question in a slightly different way- why wear something so formal to some so informal as the games?

And for clarity- my formal shoes are always polished and beautiful. Anything less in a formal setting is unacceptable.

[slohairt]

I don't wear greased leather dress shoes, so any dress shoes I wear I always keep shined. My father made me shine his shoes all the time so I became quite adept at it whether I wanted to or not!