But I've known for a very long time that the whole thing was made up. It's essentially playing pretend. Anyone who wanted to show up at one of my dad's band's rehearsals and learn how to play the World's Finest Outdoor Instrument or even just to wear a kilt could be a part of that culture. Could be Scottish.
This guy is way more Scottish than I'll ever be.
A more general example would be St. Patrick's Day. Anyone who wants to be Irish on St. Patrick's Day can be Irish. Really and truly. It may seem like a matter of putting on funny clothes and just saying you are something, and that's because it is. But that's exactly what all culture is. Not that we always treat it that way.
We usually treat culture like it's inherited absolutely, like it's burned into your forehead by God when you're born. And we use it to exclude as much as (or more than) include. And we wind up with Rwanda and Sunni v. Shiite and pretty much all of the Balkans.
I think my way is more fun. Plus, there's simply no outfit more flattering to the masculine form than a kilt and a sharp Prince Charlie jacket. And a sporran has all the benefits of a purse with none of the drawbacks. AND women will ask you "Do you wear your kilt in traditional way?" ALL DAMN NIGHT. And they'll want to check. Don't ask me why.
We usually treat culture like it's inherited absolutely, like it's burned into your forehead by God when you're born. And we use it to exclude as much as (or more than) include. And we wind up with Rwanda and Sunni v. Shiite and pretty much all of the Balkans.
I think my way is more fun. Plus, there's simply no outfit more flattering to the masculine form than a kilt and a sharp Prince Charlie jacket. And a sporran has all the benefits of a purse with none of the drawbacks. AND women will ask you "Do you wear your kilt in traditional way?" ALL DAMN NIGHT. And they'll want to check. Don't ask me why.
-- The Prolix Wag
I'm not an elitist; you're just a prole.
I'm not an elitist; you're just a prole.
Making up a totally sweet past has been a human tradition since the first grandad existed.
ReplyDeleteGranddads made up a really kickass Jerusalem, a wicked awesome Rome, and a magical fairyland America. In all of those places, men were men, women were women, and Jews/Romans/Americans could all wrassle a Roman/Jew/Grizzly Bar to the ground with one arm tied behind his back.
As long as revisionism leads to wearing cool duds, it is a good thing. When it leads to Mel Gibson movies (or Tom Cruise teaching the Japanese about honor and self-sacrifice) it is bad.
Those cultures that manage to take it the one step further and kill a whole lot of people over it have made a serious boo boo.
Jamais Arriere!
Ha!
ReplyDeleteAlso, if people can avoid being French Canadian, that's probably a point in their favor.
Do you find it hard to buy a Prince Charlie Jacket & Vest off the rack? Sleeves too short or too long? Too tight across shoulders, chest, or waist? Fits in some places, but is just not right?
ReplyDeleteWhy wear a standard size that does not fit?
How about a quality Custom Made Prince Charlie Jacket exactly as per your measurements?
Scottish Kilt offers made to measure Prince Charlie Jacket sharply according length,measurements. Scottish Kilt is your one stop shop for made to measure Celtic apparel, Collection goes beyond kilts to include sporrans, jackets, shirts, belts & buckles.