To kilt in modern north american society

[Father Bill]

I'm told by my friend (a Jamaican Buchanan) that many very black Jamaicans have Scottish surnames.

[thecompaqguy]

I'm told by my friend (a Jamaican Buchanan) that many very black Jamaicans have Scottish surnames.

Confirmed - my surname is Ferguson, and my mum was from Jamaica (Clarendon) The 'Selby' name is just something I use for Photobucket...

[Theyoungkiltman]

I think you should have very little issue.
Living in what would be considered a "redneck" area, I've had absolutely no snide remarks whatsoever regarding my kilt wearing, and if anything I seem to get more compliments then I do whilst in more culturally diverse areas.

[Leprechaun 91]

It is rather funny that my town that I live in was very much founded and inhabited by manly european immigrants and there is a large historic contingency of Scottish heritage here. Yet I am left to feel like there is something wrong with me if I don a kilt and walk down the street. Perhaps my wife is a social prude and gives me nothing but grief saying that I am trying to make a spectacle of myself for wearing clothing that is part of my heritage. I find it ironic that she and other community members doesn't have anything to say when a Sikh wears a robe and tuban, or Muslims walk around in a Najib. But a Scot wearing a kilt is just someone trying to draw attention to themselves and must be commented on.

I am curious if this is common around the X-Mark community, or if I just have the pleasure of being the ground breaker in my town.

While the Sikh may wear the turban as part of their daily dress, the Scots do not wear the kild daily. (Well, most don't.)

Just as a man of German heritage wearing lederhosen might look out of place unless it's Oktoberfest, or a Dutchman wearing wooden clogs might be looked at as unusual in the streets of North America, the Kilt wearer is also somewhat anomalous.

In short, we all feel the eyes on us when we first start out. We do get used to it the more we wear the kilt. Our spouses, friends, and coworkers also grow accustomed to the look. Those who work or attend places we frequent will get used to you in the kilt as well. It's not common but it is certainly not weird.

Be strong and kilt on.

Slaint

David

[Father Bill]

Useful and helpful perspective, Leprechaun. These are simply not everyday clothes for most people. Good clarification.

[Thekiltedmohawk]

Leprechaun-91

Thanks for pointing out on the comparison the turban and the kilt is a fallacy.

[jthk]

Really? Not normal X Marks?

Well in fact, you're right. It wasn't "normal" X Marks, because in normal X Marks the Scot, nobody rocks the proverbial boat. It boggles my mind that so many of you don't see what's plain as the nose on my face to me and a couple of other folks here. But OK then. You don't see it.

You all can think that you don't want to look like "them"..those "slobs"... whoever they are. Those people whose shoes aren't clean enough for you; we mustn't be like "them". Those kids who "sag" their pants - that's a favorite. Mustn't be like "them". You all can settle in nicely with your notion that you/we know best, that our debonair taste in tweed and tartan clothing makes us just a bit classier than "those people", or just a little bit better than the ignorant who might .....God Forbid..... commit the horrible sin of not dressing, in your opinion, appropriately for the occasion, and enjoy the forum of like-minded folks.

Carry on.

Regarding thekiltedmohawk, I'm glad he hasn't left. Folks don't have to agree with each other to be able to make contributions here. He has every right to put me on "ignore" if that makes his experience on XMTS more pleasant. I am, however, sad that he edited out his posts.... kind of makes this whole section of the thread sort of pointless.

I, for one, was appreciative of the spirited and lively discussion. It is often through conflict and disagreement that a person may develop into a finer, more aware person. (Jeepers my English is horrid today.)

Ádh mór a chairde,
Seanachán

[Liam]

I'm told by my friend (a Jamaican Buchanan) that many very black Jamaicans have Scottish surnames.

I suspect it is due to the slave trade, not a particularly high point in Scottish history.

[Father Bill]

Well, as I've reported elsewhere, I teased my black Jamaican Buchanan friend one day. I asked him how a fellow with a factory-installed sun tan like him got a good Scottish name like "Buchanan."

In his incredibly beautiful Jamaican sing-song voice he told me, "Well Bill, it is like this: I guess there was a Scotsman in the woodpile."

If I said it, it would border on racism, but from him it was a priceless and beautiful turnabout!

[Liam]

Well, as I've reported elsewhere, I teased my black Jamaican Buchanan friend one day. I asked him how a fellow with a factory-installed sun tan like him got a good Scottish name like "Buchanan."

In his incredibly beautiful Jamaican sing-song voice he told me, "Well Bill, it is like this: I guess there was a Scotsman in the woodpile."

If I said it, it would border on racism, but from him it was a priceless and beautiful turnabout!

Padre... I used your "factory installed sun tan" line on my Jamaican dental hygienist some time ago. She had a great laugh. In hind sight, I was in a bit of a vulnerable position had she been offended. She also shared her mother's jerk chicken recipe with me. Actually it was just mixing jerk paste with any brand of bbq sauce. I quite like it.... Mrs. Liam not so.