The Over Opinionated

[tripleblessed]

but every Scottish person should be willing to allow non Scots to wear the kilt as long as they wear it with respect

ALLOW? ALLOW?..............................ALLOW? I don't recall any Scot asking me for permission to do anything, and since Mama decided I was old enough to dress myself (about1950) I don't recall needing anyone's permission, most especially about clothes I pay for myself.

[CDNSushi]

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.

First, the Black Watch tartan is universal. It is neither restricted to Black Watch regiments (which exist not only in Scotland, incidentally, but also in other countries as well), nor to any particular clan or group of people.

Second, the lady does not have a point in any way, because the kilt, though it may have ORIGINATED in Scotland, in today's world, is not RESTRICTED to Scotland. In fact, I would say that countries like Canada may lay claim to the kilt as much as Scotland, given its proud Scottish (and other) roots. In fact, Canada, as far as I know, is the only country to have declared an official, national tartan to date. No Canadian I know (including myself) would DREAM of asking a Scot for permission to wear a kilt, especially in our national tartan!

[saxandpipes]

I usually answer rude questions like this with another question. I think that, in this case, a "why not?" would be appropriate. It is usually unexpected and forces the person to think about why it is that their family doesn't have the tradition of kilt-wearing. It occasionally causes the person to open up a bit and think about what he/she does rather than what you are doing.

I've actually had a number of good conversations that began with rude questions like this one and, generally, end with a sincere apology.

I agree with this 100%. Long winded, sarcastic or overly witty answers tend to be lost on such antagonists... And they've probably invested a fair amount of time and mental resources coming up with what they think is a very clever comment. Facing them with a question in retort will almost always leave them flustered and searching for the next intelligent thing to say... Better them than you.

Some other great responses here... But this works best in my opinion.

Cheers!

Michael

[Bill aka Mole]

While I too may have been tempted to use the standard two word response, I would have used my standard one word response for this occassion: Comfort.

[ForresterModern]

Brings to my mind two old adages that I will simply paraphrase:

First, never argue with an idiot, (or eedjit in the scottish parlance), as most people around will not be able to tell the two of you apart.

Second, never get in a pissing match with a skunk, as you both come out smelling just as badly regardless of the outcome of the discussion.

Best response is as above, pity for her loss, and then move on to more interesting and rewarding companionship and conversation.

Move along folks, nothing here to see.

jeff

[Father Bill]

Yes . . .

Who was it who first said "I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed man"? I vote heavily in favour of good manners and good humour, but, that may be what I'd be thinking.

[kc8ufv]

Always remember, the next time someone tells you to fight fire with fire, professional firefighters use water.

Most of the time, anyway. Though, the use of fire isn't unheard of, especially on really really big fires (think wildfires)

[tripleblessed]

Second, the lady does not have a point in any way, because the kilt, though it may have ORIGINATED in Scotland,

I had hoped my earlier rant would persuade me to stay out of this one, but I keep coming back to the quote like a tongue to a loose tooth. Neither tartan nor the kilt originated in Scotland. Tartan is waaaay older than Scotland, fragments going back thousands of years have been found across Europe and Asia, and kilted garments were worn in various parts of the world most likely predating Scotland by at least a thousand years. The kilt as we wear it today, knife pleats or box, evolved in Scotland from what came before.

That aside, when the antecedents of Scottish peoples outwith departed the island, kilts were not confiscated. Many did not leave by choice, but were basically thrown bodily off the island with little more than the kilt on their backside, so clearly there was no feeling of Scotland OWNING the kilt. If that were an issue, where were the lawsuits against Robert Fulton for pirating the steam engine from James Watt? Answer: Watt did not invent the steam engine, which was known at least 1500 years before his birth. Like the kilt, what happened in Scotland was innovation, not invention. NO OWNERSHIP. That's why nobody is bound by "the rules". Those are a set (and a very good set) of ideas on the best ways to wear a specific type of apparel. Other eyes have different perceptions. It's rarely a good idea to ignore tradition, but if there were laws against change, some of the best engineering ever done could not have happened in Scotland. When change ceases, death ensues. Better a living tradition than a dead historic foible.

[wright]

I have used this about dress, hair (head and facial) and many other personal choices people think is acceptable for them to comment on.

me - "I don't recall having asked for your opinion when I got dressed"
them - "I just gave it to you anyway!"
me- "...and it was worth exactly what I paid for it..." *walks away*

it's not worth your time arguing with people!

[GaRebel211]

I agree with most of yall that polite responses, bring the best rewards. Put her on the defensive, make her embarrassed or ashamed of not honoring her heritage.
Or just respond to her in Gaelic, and when she looks baffled, just smile and walk away.