Hard not to laugh

[Rob Wright]

I did get a lot of compliments from the indians (no, they don't call themselves native americans) on my kilt.

The Indians understand wanting to connect with ones past and heritage. I've never had any problems from the Mescalero's in my area(In fact last night I was one of four white folks at a birthday party on the reservation, we all had fun. 8) )

Rob Wright

[Hamish]

Slightly Off Topic this but I am interested to see that several of you chaps across the pond use the word "Indians". I have understood for some years that such a name is almost an insult and that they should be referred to as "Native Americans".

Have I got this wrong somewhere along the line?

[Mike n NC]

Hello Ham, When in the company of Romans, do as the Romans do. I can't speak for the rest of the states but here in the coastal plains area of North Carolina, they prefer to be called Indians or better yet, by the name of their tribe.

Part of this may stem from people like me that check native american on applications and forms. I am an american and I was born here, ergo, native american. About the only people I have run across that demand to be called native americans are race baiting.

The heritage and ancestory of the american indian is a long and proud one but only in the last few years have they begun to celibrate it. Perhaps with the return of their pride and some of the old ways came the change.
Oh course, the above is only speculation and an expression of MOHO.

Mike

[GMan]

I agree with your speculation Mike, if you do know the tribe that is great. But trying to figure out the difference of Southern Ute or Mountain Ute can be a problem, so usually Ute would work. Sometimes I have been chastised for saying Indian, but as many have said to me they were born in America so they are Native Americans, and because I was born here I too am a Native American. But these same people call themselves Indians, but then again if they do not feel that you are using Indian in a negative tone they seem to be OK with it.

[Magnus Sporrano]

Slightly Off Topic this but I am interested to see that several of you chaps across the pond use the word "Indians". I have understood for some years that such a name is almost an insult and that they should be referred to as "Native Americans".

This is mostly a creation of the overly Political Correct in American society. Many people feel slighted to be called "Indian" or "Black" or whatever and insist on being hyphenated Americans. i.e. "African-Americans" or "Native-Americans". But it is silly and it usually ends up offending other people. For example, "Native-American" technically describes anyone born in north or south America, regardless of skin color. "African American" usually implies "black" but you should see the debacles that can be started when a person with alibaster skin checks off that box on a form, when they are a white person from South Africa.

Most Americans aren't that uptight. We end up having to use those names to avoid litigation from the people who are that uptight.

My wife is half Scot, half Blackfoot Indian (Siksika). I don't even call her "Indian"; I call her "Skraeling" which is the old Viking word used to describe Indians and Eskimoes. "Indian" isn't really right because you could be talking about red Indians or brown Indians which are totally different cultures. Native American is such a mouthful and doesn't work well either. If you know the tribe that the person is from, it's very polite to describe a person as "Cherokee" or "Navajo" specifically rather than the catch-all "Indian". I only use "Skraeling" inside of the family because it is not a word in common use these days and can be considered to be rude if used in the wrong context.

[Pittsburgh Kilts]

Hey Anthony,

If the poor guy had seen the collection of cleavers in your gallery pics, he would have crapped his pants!

I think that, in general, people figure if you are in a kilt you've obviously got some balls. Plus, who wants to get their butt kicked by a guy in a skirt?

[Dreadbelly]

Oooh multi threaded comment.

I don't know what it is, but I am five foot five and I still scare people, so far, just wearing troosers. JohnAllen has seen me in person, maybe he can figure out why... I am really a very nice guy, honest!! Perhaps I have Short Angry Man Syndrome. Mayhap it's the beard. And now the dreads. People move away from me when I walk. My wife, and her sisters use me during the holidays to clear a path in crowded malls. I just stand there and bellow "MOVE!" and folk do. Do I need another Altoid, or is it really just how I look? Of course, I am five foot five and weigh a startling 250 pounds. I am big boned, honest. I am not that fat really. Just stout. 46 inch waist, 58 inch chest, and a 28 inch neck. Very big bones. Large bones. And arms like an ape. Low sloping forehead. Lantern jawed. Did I ever mention that I had a modeling career? I was the fifth one over on the process of evolution charts... At least my knuckles don't drag when I walk, I have oposeable thumbs, and walk upright.

As far as cultural names, I don't mind being called Indian, so long as it's said with a respectful tone. It's not what you say, it's HOW you say it. Well, for the most part. No racial slurs of course. I am Lakota and Yakima, and I very much like those as titles. I am also Scottish, Sicilian, my dad was Cuban, and there is some Creole, Asian, and other bits as well. I am human.

[bubba]

Doc, I'm starting to wonder if yer real name isn't Gimli

[Dreadbelly]

Doc, I'm starting to wonder if yer real name isn't Gimli

You have no idea how many times I have been called that by close friends. Sheesh. Pick on the short guy.

Gonna have to post some pics soon. I have a disposeable camera. Need to finish it off when my kilt arrives. Pics will be posted soon.

My wife calls me Shrek.

[RockyR]

-----cliped

This is mostly a creation of the overly Political Correct in American society. ---

Exactly.. and to the extreme.. but I will leave off a good example lest I offend someone.