Our trip to Franklin North Carolina

**Riverkilt** · 22nd April 09, 06:24 PM

Hey cousin,

Thanks for the memories. I lived and traveled them mountains for many years back in the 60s and early 70s. Lots of stories about the folks in the back hollows of them mountains. They really do hollar at each other and brew up some tasty moonshine.

I am amazed that more didn't happen with the KMart altercation. Some of them good ol' boys would just a soon fight as socialize. He must have already been on probation or parole or something. Before I moved to N.C. I was warned to be nice - they will kill you. After some time as a police officer in N.C. I found that was sound advice.

Glad nothing hurtful happened. Maybe he thought your sporran was some sort of a concealed carry device - or didn't wanna risk it.

Sad how a small thing like that can knock a good time asunder. I'm guessing Matt was a tad embarassed about the treatment the local gave you. Too bad he couldn't be trussed up and drug to the STM for some basic education.

Ron

**McMurdo** · 22nd April 09, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

Hey cousin,

Thanks for the memories. I lived and traveled them mountains for many years back in the 60s and early 70s. Lots of stories about the folks in the back hollows of them mountains. They really do hollar at each other and brew up some tasty moonshine.

Glad I could bring back some memories, it really is a beautiful area.

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

I am amazed that more didn't happen with the KMart altercation. Some of them good ol' boys would just a soon fight as socialize. He must have already been on probation or parole or something. Before I moved to N.C. I was warned to be nice - they will kill you. After some time as a police officer in N.C. I found that was sound advice.

I was standing up for myself however deliverance was running in the back of my head.

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

Glad nothing hurtful happened. Maybe he thought your sporran was some sort of a concealed carry device - or didn't wanna risk it.

I'm sure nothing was going to happen I bet you've noticed fellows like that are full of hot air.

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

Sad how a small thing like that can knock a good time asunder. I'm guessing Matt was a tad embarassed about the treatment the local gave you. Too bad he couldn't be trussed up and drug to the STM for some basic education.

Ron

I'm sure Matt would be embarrassed however it was after I saw Matt.

**English Bloke** · 22nd April 09, 07:06 PM

Fantastic pictures. Love the Falls. 30 years since I was there last. (Blimey!)

Re: Your K-Mart experience. Isn't it amazing the level of some people's insecurity? To the extent they feel they have to assert their masculinity so forcefully over those they interpret as different. Perhaps THEY have hidden issues which is why they feel so threatened and in consequence respond agressively when confronted with a Kilt. I'm sure he would never dream of having a go at a turbaned Siekh or a Moslem in his Galabiyya and those are as much an expression of cultural identity as religious identity. Perhaps you were targeted as you appeared to him to be from his cultural background and therefore not entitled to express any difference in ethnicity or a fondness for your heritage. Shame that his ignorance and stupidity doesn't let him reason that you have to be pretty comfortable with yourself, nay, about as alpha-male as it gets to put a Kilt on in the first place. Your tactical withdrawal is commendable Glen. I'm glad that you and Catherine had a wonderful time on the rest of your trip. Thanks again for sharing all the pictures.

(That Isle of Skye is shouting at me by the way... Resist... Resist...)

**bchunter** · 22nd April 09, 09:28 PM

I'm glad you enjoyed the Old North State, and I sincerely hope I have the opportunity of meeting you on your next foray down South. I'm also very glad your trip home was safe.

**David Dalglish** · 22nd April 09, 10:38 PM

Great Set of Photo's Glen

**Ancienne Alliance** · 23rd April 09, 01:17 AM

It's nice to travel with you guys !

best,

Robert

**tyger** · 23rd April 09, 04:17 AM

Good for you McMurdo. Tell 'em like it is. I need to lurk in the Walmart, find that guy, and twist his tail. I know how to do it.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 23rd April 09, 04:24 AM

Glen,

It was a pleasure getting to see you, both in the museum and at the Games, and I am glad you enjoyed some of what the NC mountains have to offer.

Sorry about your one bad experience in KMart. I'm kind of surprised, actually. With the museum being in Franklin for the past 15 years, most of the locals have gotten quite used to seeing kilted folks about. They usually just assume it has something to do with the museum. The only problems I usually have when I am out about town kilted is with people being too friendly, or wanting to stop and talk forever and a day.

I'll just tell myself this guy must have been a tourist... couldn't have been a local... now I can sleep better. :-)

**McMurdo** · 23rd April 09, 05:41 AM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

Sorry about your one bad experience in KMart. I'm kind of surprised, actually. With the museum being in Franklin for the past 15 years, most of the locals have gotten quite used to seeing kilted folks about. They usually just assume it has something to do with the museum. The only problems I usually have when I am out about town kilted is with people being too friendly, or wanting to stop and talk forever and a day.

I'll just tell myself this guy must have been a tourist... couldn't have been a local... now I can sleep better. :-)

Honestly Matt, I think he was just a bully. As I was walking up he was belittling his kids, they pointed me out I think to take some of the heat off them. I really do not think he expected me to talk back at all as he seemed generally shocked by my response. I think the population of Franklin must be used to seeing kilts as I had many other wonderful encounters with the locals. Many of them asking me when the Taste of Scotland festival was etc. This guy was in the minority that is certain.