hello! Prince charlie conversion?

[Daibhidh O'Baoighill]

from WV!

[vmac3205]

Houston! We've got a nice large group down here, and are the regional headquarters. We've had the Music Makars to play for us the past two years, and they're coming again this year! Ever heard them?

Never have heard of them> We usually have the McKassons for our ball. For our 30th in 2009 we're having Muriel Johnstone. Big Time!!

[neeah613l]

The McKassons are good, too. We had them for a recent San Antonio ball. And Muriel Johnstone, of course, used to play for us for several years, along with Alistair Frasier. (I probably didn't get that spelling right...)

[vmac3205]

Fortunately for us, the McKassons live just up I5, and of course Muriel is just north in the other Vancouver, so it doesn't cost as much to get them here. Do you ever get the the Fort Worden workshop that the Seattle branch sponsers. It is abfab.

[neeah613l]

Muriel Johnstone used to live down here, so that's why we could have her so often.
No, I've never been to Seattle. I've also heard that there's a great ball and workshop every few years between all of the California groups... at a beautiful casino on some little island.

Have you noticed in past years a very sad decrease of formality at balls, mainly in the women's dress? The men still wear their PCs, but the women are just getting sloppy, and I KNOW they have nice ballgowns. I'm trying to re-raise the standard.

[vmac3205]

There is also an annual ball sponsored by Victoria, BC, Vancouver BC., and Seattle, and the venue rotates between the three every year. We have never gone, but it is something to look forward to.
I think that a lot of people have never been in a formal setting, and just don't have clue what proper formal dress is. We had a guy show up at our ball this year in shorts. I think it is a disease of modern times and it goes right along with no clue about table manners, and other social skills. Aaaargh! I'm becoming my grandmother.

[sydnie7]

[snip] I think that a lot of people have never been in a formal setting, and just don't have clue what proper formal dress is. We had a guy show up at our ball this year in shorts. I think it is a disease of modern times and it goes right along with no clue about table manners, and other social skills. Aaaargh! I'm becoming my grandmother.

Should have seen the fellow at our clan's dinner dance: tartan trews, cowboy boots, and a "matching" NASCAR team shirt!

[vmac3205]

Should have seen the fellow at our clan's dinner dance: tartan trews, cowboy boots, and a "matching" NASCAR team shirt!

Sounds exactly like my brother-in-law!!

[neeah613l]

We have one man we're calling Mr. Plaid Pants because he wears trews to balls- with fire engine red suspenders and a Kelly green shirt! The tartan has yellow and red and green, very big and bold and bright. And this man KNOWS BETTER. He used to wear his perfectly handsome kilt and prince charlie and even balmoral a couple of years ago. If he would wear his Prince Charlie with the trews I'd forgive him. But he looks like a clown. Just needs a red nose!

We've never had anybody in shorts, though... I guess I should count my blessings!

I suppose it's true that many people don't know how to dress formally, but that ain't so in our branch. They used to wear wonderful formal gowns and gloves, now some of them are just wearing blouses and skirts or cocktail dresses. I saw one woman at Burn's dinner in February wearing a beautiful ballgown she could easily dance in- but to the balls she has been wearing just some random top and skirt. It upsets me. We should show respect for each other, the event, the band, and try to set a good example for the world! We're pretty soon going to be actually realistically matching the Texan stereotype!

[vmac3205]

What amazes me is what people wear to Highland Games, thinking they are being "scottish." My God, there should be fashion police at the gates.