Utilikilt begging on the street corner

**Colin** · 17th February 05, 10:48 AM

Driving to an appointment yesterday, I couldn't help but notice the young guy standing in the median begging for change. His sign dejour said that he was from Scotland and that he was travelling through. He was wearing a workman's utilikilt and had some nice celtic knotwork tattooed on his lower leg. I wanted to play along and start a conversation with the guy, but my light changed. I told my wife about it and she laughed, as she sees the same guy everyday, and he uses the kilt and Scotland excuse once a week or so, the other times he is from other places. I now have to wonder if he was begging for change to eat, or to support the kilt or tattoo habit.

**GMan** · 17th February 05, 11:03 AM

Ah what we won't do for more kilts

**Freelander Sporrano** · 17th February 05, 11:31 AM

Give 'im some change Colin .He's one of our best customers..

**Raphael** · 17th February 05, 06:21 PM

I may have seen that guy on Boardway a few weeks ago. Where did you spot the guy today? Anyway, may be we should tell him about Doolin's. He can get a free pint of Guinness.

**Riverkilt** · 17th February 05, 10:09 PM

Hey Colin, I thought that was you...whats the matter you couldn't spare me some change?

Ron

**Graham** · 17th February 05, 11:32 PM

On the topic of "scots" reaching a low point, Ron, you signature:

"I hate being Scottish. We're the lowest of the fu*king low, the scum of the earth, the most wretched, servile, miserable, pathetic trash that was ever shat into civilization. Some people hate the English, but I don't. They're just wankers. We, on the other hand, are colonized by wankers." Trainspotting.

that's really sad, whoever 'trainspotting'is, it sounds like they need to get out of the city and see what a beautiful place Scotland is.

If I were Scottish born, I would be proud of my heritage, whoever said that is a sad case.

**bear** · 17th February 05, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by Graham

On the topic of "scots" reaching a low point, Ron, you signature:

"I hate being Scottish. We're the lowest of the fu*king low, the scum of the earth, the most wretched, servile, miserable, pathetic trash that was ever shat into civilization. Some people hate the English, but I don't. They're just wankers. We, on the other hand, are colonized by wankers." Trainspotting.

that's really sad, whoever 'trainspotting'is, it sounds like they need to get out of the city and see what a beautiful place Scotland is.

If I were Scottish born, I would be proud of my heritage, whoever said that is a sad case.

Trainspotting is not a who, it's a what. It's a fantastic movie about heroin users in Scotland and starred Ewan MacGregor.
The movie is dark and often depressing because of its subject and the characters are not the happiest bunch in the world. It's pretty hard to be proud of yourself when you're a heroin addict.
It's not family fare but a look into a dark subject. Naturally, the characters say some things aimed at themselves, their friends, their lives, and their country that are less than complimentary.

**Graham** · 18th February 05, 05:37 AM

thanks Bear for the explanation, not a film I've seen. Well if it's about drug addicts...no wonder they were unhappy, and that's even more sad.

not I film I'll probably want to watch

**Riverkilt** · 18th February 05, 06:24 AM

Sorry brothers, thought everyone knew that great movie. I see it about once every two months as we use it at work as an example of the futility of addiction, the reality of withdrawal from heroin, and the insanity of acting like alcoholism is somehow "not as bad" as drug addiction. (Alcohol kills 5 to 1 over street drugs...of course cigarettes kill 5:1 over alcohol). The movie also highlights the violence often instigated by alcoholics as contrasted to the theft instigated by addicts. There are some wonderful scenes about the intensity of addiction (The worst toilet in Scotland) and heroin's effect on the bowels.

No kilts in the movie...sad, a remake would have them for sure.

The scene (you can find the movies script on line) is outdoors. I love the lines because I live next to the Navajo reservation and in an effort to broaden the outlook of my many Navajo clients in group I like to point out that both Scots and Navajos were conquered peoples. Both Scots and Navajos were ordered not to speak their native language. Both Scots and Navajos were ordered not to wear their traditional dress. Both Scots and Navajos have a strong clan system. Both Scots and Navajos were driven from their lands. Navajos got to come back.

Anyhow, after finding the script online added the words from that scene to my signature. Anyone who's seen the movie and remembers the scene will "get" the context...frustration, self-examination, futility....even...humility.

Great movie...great Scottish movie...worth a look if you've not seen it...

Ron

**Colin** · 18th February 05, 09:24 AM

I peed in the alley in Edinburgh where Renton is running away from the shop owner! Sadly the majority of that film was actually fimed in Glasgow, not Edinburgh and Leith as it claimed to.

Ron, I can see how that film could convince people of the evils of drug use. Not a glamorous film in the least. I must say, I still like the film makers previous film Shallow Grave (also with Ewan MacGregor).

I don't think the begging Utilikilt was a habit (maybe a kilt or tattoo addiction, in which case I would have told him to piss off, as I need my own fix)but rather a lazy way to get money. My wife has seen the same guy get his sign and backpack out of his car (not exactly a beater)first thing in the morning.