Why do Americans like the Scots so much???

[Polwarth]

Originally Posted by maggieblue

I think you've said it, Worthie!!

Yes, but you still ask the same sort of 'how many men wear kilts' question that has been asked a million times before....
Oh, and I dinnae mind 'Pol' as a short-form of my nickname... but 'Worthie'? Naaaaaah.

[Dee63]

We have two men who wear kilts in our town. One does it proper on special occasions. The other, well he wears one ALL the time, and well, he shouldn't.

He's got ... chicken legs!

There, I've said it out loud. I think someone should tell him...

After all, we women have no heather to run screaming through when we see him. Oh, I mean to stride purposefully through...

[elman]

I'd say Americans are attracted and intrigued by the history and culture. With perhaps a somewhat overly romantic view it has to be said. Also I think, and this is just a personal opinion, the part this little country has played in contributing to modern society is large enough to be proud of and for anyone with any Scottish roots to want to be part of in some way.

Scotsmen only wear the kilt at weddings and Burns night. Oh and I'm 6' and skinny. Wouldn't be seen dead in a kilt I'd look like a plug with the wires sticking out..

[Georgia_Peach]

I'm a Yank and I'd like to attempt to answer the question. Mind you, I'm only one woman and it's only MY humble opionion. I do not presume to speak for all Americans or all women. I would agree with a great many of you who said perhaps American women have an overly romanticized notion of what Scottish men are really like. We've all seen "Rob Roy" and "Braveheart" too many times. I don't know a single woman who didn't swoon over Liam Neeson and Mel Gibson in those roles. Many of us have Scottish heritage, but don't have a clue about it. So, we picture Scottish men being rugged, hardworking, devilishly handsome, and protective of their women. I know, I know, this seems like a ridiculously antiquated notion. However, I contend this serves to fulfill some deep-seated biological drive instilled by our ancient ancestors to find a partner who would protect us through feast and famine, good times and bad, thus assuring our offspring a greater rate of survival. Therefore, although we are modern, educated women, we still seek out a man who will be our best friend as well as defend us. And lets face it, I don't know too many men who behave chivalrously nowadays. So it only seems natural that women would fantasize about a man who fits the bill. I suppose there's also a naughty curiousity about what Scottish men don't wear under their kilts (even if it's only at weddings and other formal affairs). In addition, the Scottish accent is oh sooo sexy!!! It's enough to make one weak in the knees. But again, it's only my humble opinion.

[Lady TW]

I like the firey hair, or crimson colored hair. My hair is dull, brown with three layers.

[elman]

@Georgia. At the end of the day Scotsmen are like any other men. rugged, hardworking, devilishly handsome, and protective of their women. I'm sure you'll find guys like that in every country of the world. But I can assure you Scotland has more than it's fair share of fat, lazy, bigoted, ugly wastes of space that couldn't care less about their women. I like to think I'm not one of them!

What's under their kilts is no different to what American men have in their pants! Except we are all mostly intact if you know what I mean! ;P

I do understand about the accent though. I have to say I don't find a Scottish accent that attractive in women. No matter which part of Scotland they come from. In some places the accent is actually quite guttural and ugly. In general I think the Scottish accent is quite hard and commanding and a little aggressive sounding a bit like German in some ways. Apparently Scots who speak German are able to speak it with a very convincing German accent as the pronunciation of the words is very similar. I can understand why an accent like that might appeal to some women. For me it's women with Eastern European accents. Girls who speak English from Poland, Czeck Republic, Serbia etc just make me go all guey.

@ LadyTW

Bit of a myth that Scotsmen are red haired. Says me with red hair. What's left of it! Actually in my class at school there were 30 people. Only me and one girl had red hair. They say with the firey hair comes a firey temper. Not sure if that's true. Willie from The Simpsons is somewhat exaggerated with the worst Scottish accent ever!

[Georgia_Peach]

Elman:

I never meant to imply there was the tiniest grain of truth to my observation. I simply attempted to explain why Americans love Scottish men. I admitted Americans have romanticized notions of what Scots are like. I'm aware men are men regardless of where you go. They might look a little different, their accents may differ, and their local customs may vary, but they're all generally the same.

Fat, lazy, bigots can be found in my own backyard. Antiquated ways of seeing the world abound in the southeastern US. I don't personally have the stomach for it. I think it's high time people around the world stopped pointing out their differences and embraced the common thread that runs through mankind. Wouldn't you agree?

As for what's NOT under their kilts, I was making reference to hearing repeatedly that Scots don't wear knickers under their kilts. On the other hand, American men love their underwear. That's all, nothing more. I'm also aware that the majority of the world doesn't perform circumcision regularly as in the US unless they are of Jewish descent. I personally see it as a form of genital mutilation. It's no different to me than what takes place in many African and middle eastern countries when little girls have their external sex organs excised with a razor blade, except it's performed on boys in a sterile environment by a physician. As for functionality, cut or uncut, they all work the same way. Cheeky of you to point out the little "extra" difference though.

You really think a Scottish accent is gutteral like a German accent? I'm not fond of German accents. Worse than that, I'm really not fond of South African accents. They fall very harshly upon the ears. But, I have always been exceedingly fond of Scottish and Irish accents. I can certainly understand your affinity for eastern European girls who speak English though. To each their own!

As for my own accent, the people born and raised in the south would say I don't sound southern. They generally can't quite narrow down where I'm from. (I was born in Germany, and raised all over the continental US.) But, to anyone not raised in the south I have a southern accent. I suppose there is a soft sort of drawl to it, but it's subtle. Oddly enough, unless you've visited the southern US you don't really know what I'm referring to. Actors try to mimic the accent, but it always sounds like some awful caricature. I've only heard 2 actors ever get it spot on, and they were Australian and Irish. American actors always turn it into some ugly exaggeration.