The Over Opinionated

[Nighthawk]

I was asked that same thing once. I simply said "I choose to uphold the traditions of my ancestors. Have a nice night." And I walked away.

But I think I really rather prefer Rocky's response. Pointing out to an *** that he or she is being an *** sounds like a really good idea to me.

[R.S.L. Kiltwearer]

Okay soo I went to my old units x-mas party in my black watch and one of my co-workers wifes came up to me and started asking " Why are you wearing that if your not from Scotland? I'm of Scottish ancestry and you don't see my family or myself wearing them."
My question is what is the best way to deal with over opinionated ignorance? I understand that some people just don't get it but that still isn't an excuse for such rudeness. What are your thoughts?

it would depend on how well i liked the coworker, and my mood.
but most likely would go like this.
" why are you wearing pants ? ... i'm a man and i'm not wearing pants.... that's strange" then just walk away and wait for the fireworks !

[English Bloke]

I like Ron's response alot, but my late mother would be appalled if I ever said something like that to a lady.

A mate and I were in a pub once and the wife of a bloke I know, accused us of wearing the kilt as "an affectation". Looking down at her fashionable skinny jeans (she's in her 40's), I asked her "an' I suppose you've left your horse tied to the hitchin' rail outside?" and chuckling, walked away. I had no desire to continue any dialogue with her.

She had that "Wha'??..." expression on her face and didn't have the faintest idea what I was on about but it made me laugh.

That was also a moment when I would have liked to follow it up with Ron's response. Fortunately (for my late Mother ) I refrained.

[Chas]

Is there a difference between someone attacking the way we dress, or the way we vote, or the church we go to, or don't, or the education system we have chosed for our children, or the person we have married, or choose to spend our lives with, or our race, or the colour of our skin, or our sexual orientation.

I don't think so.

If someone attacks me or my family, I will respond. Walking away, is what I do afterwards.

Regards

Chas

[Lime]

I mentally add rude people to my "people to kill"* list. If they really offend me however I take the far more drastic action of mentally crossing them off my "Christmas Card" list. A number of people became extremely concerned when the post was delayed last year and they received their seasonal greeting slightly later than usual...


*I feel I should clarify that I don't actually have a "people to kill list" before I have the police tramping all over my gerberas and breaking down my front door.

[English Bloke]

Haven't you? I have! But I keep it in my head lest the hard evidence incriminates me.

[JonnyLaRock]

Okay soo I went to my old units x-mas party in my black watch and one of my co-workers wifes came up to me and started asking " Why are you wearing that if your not from Scotland? I'm of Scottish ancestry and you don't see my family or myself wearing them."
My question is what is the best way to deal with over opinionated ignorance? I understand that some people just don't get it but that still isn't an excuse for such rudeness. What are your thoughts?

What about if you meet a black watch Soldier and he says, 'I don't remember seeing you in Afghanistan' lol
These conflicts must be infuriating if you don't have a Scottish accent or any real connection to Scotland. In a way the lady has a point, but every Scottish person should be willing to allow non Scots to wear the kilt as long as they wear it with respect and do not wear the chieftain or military colours, which could prove offensive to real clan members or the military.

[Lyle1]

I would reply that all families are different. Then I would tell her that my family would not think it was polite to walk up to someone and offer unsolicited criticism of their apparel.

[kiltedwolfman]

I have very little tact and even less patience and after adding to that a general dislike of most everyone I think my responce would have been..." well you're ugly but you don't see me pointing that out do you!?" Then I would have walked away feeling most satisfied with myself.

[Tobus]

I think a Christmas party is not the best place to respond with two-word profanity, folks! Decorum: we should honor it, even if others lack it themselves. Using profanity to a woman, especially at a social gathering like this, will make YOU look like the jerk, not her.

I think CDNSushi's response was best. Tell her that you're sorry she doesn't honor her heritage, but that you feel it's your privilege and duty to honor yours. Then politely ask if she is implying that your heritage should be hidden in shame. This puts her on the defensive and will likely cause her to apologize, and you 'win' the engagement by remaining a gentleman. This is much better than being the guy who swore at a female in front of his coworkers. No good can come from that.