strathspey@strathspey.org:44013

Martin

Re: Scottish Country Dancing VS Scottish Folk Dancing

Feb. 1, 2006, 9:58 a.m. (Message 44013, in reply to message 43999)

I hesitated before writing : " the essence of traditional costumes is that 
everyone be dressed
identically"
as I have obviously not been all round the world, but my limited experience 
is just that. They are a uniform,  evolving, but leveling. Unlike the 
costumes of traveling dem groups that need to add variety and colour to 
please their audiences. Richard's expeerience is different from mine.

I would also add that those "Scots" that wear the kilt have also turned the 
national garment into something like a folk costume by insisting that it 
must be worn with certain standardized jackets and accessories. At least the 
rugby fans wear their kilts with everyday sweaters & t-shirts, just as they 
would if wearing two-legged garments.

(If you are wondering what is the difference between Scots and "Scots", let 
me say Richard would probably have used the word "wannabe".  I have a 
feeling that, across the Atlantic, they are fussier about detail than we are 
on the eastern side)

Martin,
in Grenoble, France.