Advice: Mental Fortitude

[nh_maclean]

I've been wearing my kilts on and off for a few months now... out and about with my gf, friends, and even running errands and hitting the gym (but not while working out!)

I work in a place where I could probably have no problems wearing a kilt to work except when I mentioned it to a co-worker - her only reason for supporting this was so she would have something to gossip about all day over email. This doesn't thrill me too much because of how I know she gossips.

So wearing the kilt to work isn't going to happen anytime soon. HOWEVER, I am starting, tonight, a 2-weekend intensive training so I can do volunteer work in a field I might be interested in switching careers into eventually. And I want to wear my kilt but I'm feeling a little intimidated by the idea... I've not met anyone in person yet, most folks are most likely professionals in the field that I'm not involved in yet and I'm nervous about "first impressions". While I don't think the kilt will be a negative thing, I'm wondering if I should be more 'conservative' tonight and or just go for it - I'll already be out of my element already...

How do you handle those situations? How do you handle comments in a semi-professional environment where it's not your co-workers but entirely 'new' people...?

Cheers,
Noah

PS - if you can't tell I really want to do it and I most likely will (and will use the "I'm going out with friends after - thus the kilt" reasoning

[dfmacliam]

I say go for it. You want to do it, why not walk into this opportunity wearing your kilt, like it's an everyday affair, for you. If you act like it's nothing special, they will probably respond the same... Do not forget in the power of the kilt....lol

[cessna152towser]

If you intend to wear the kilt later on when you are working with these people it is probably best to let them see you in the kilt from the first time you meet. That way it won't give you a problem later when you want to "come out" as a kilt wearer. I can think of many people who have only ever seen me in kilts and now expect me to be kilted. If you have worn your kilt out and about with your girlfriend you should not have a problem wearing it in front of co-workers or new colleagues, you'd be surprised how many strangers might recognise you as the guy in the kilt whom they have seen on the street and they might be more surprised themselves if you now turned up unkilted.

[Standard]

I'd say go for it. Wear the kilt as if it is your normal attire and don't make a big deal out of it. As Cessna said if you are thinking you will wear the kilt later at this job might as well let them see you in it now. Good luck.

[cavscout]

Honestly, Given that you will see these folks again, I would probably go in more expected attire tonight. There will be time to introduce them to the kilt later. I feel that the kilt will dominate the conversations you get into tonight and you risk missing out on some opportunities to make professional contacts.

I'll try to put this in a short statement. The kilt has a tendency to become the focus very easily. Since you are seeking to get into this "circle" in a professional way eventually, I think minimizing the distractions on the first night would help you engage in some professional conversations tonight and make a few contacts to build on tomorrow and next weekend. Tomorrow night and the rest of the time, I say absolutely wear the kilt if you choose. They will have already meet you and not be distracted as much by the kilt.

[Jock Scot]

If I may make so bold,I think you need to ask yourself why you are wanting to wear the kilt in the first place, then ask yourself why you want to wear the kilt to work. If the answers to either or both questions(be really honest with yourself!) is to show off even in some minor way, then don't wear the kilt. Remember that in the home of the kilt, Scotland, the kilt is rarely worn to work, so why should anyone in the rest of the world want to? And forget all that, "it is my culture" nonsense, you are, I think, an American, not a Scot! Alright, if and I mean IF,you can still come up with honest answers in the positive then you are nearly on the home run.Then ask yourself would you, as an employer, employ some one wearing the kilt? Many I suspect, may not want to for a hundred good reasons and twice as many bad ones.If you can answer all those questions positively, then you really are on the home run. It is your call. Good luck!

[nh_maclean]

If you intend to wear the kilt later on when you are working with these people it is probably best to let them see you in the kilt from the first time you meet. That way it won't give you a problem later when you want to "come out" as a kilt wearer.

This is one part of my thinking on the "for" side of wearing it tonight. Easier to start off a certain way then to change half-way along. Get the intimidating part (for me) over at the get-go. This appeals to me on an "better now then later" mentality.

Honestly, Given that you will see these folks again, I would probably go in more expected attire tonight. There will be time to introduce them to the kilt later. I feel that the kilt will dominate the conversations you get into tonight and you risk missing out on some opportunities to make professional contacts.

I'll try to put this in a short statement. The kilt has a tendency to become the focus very easily. Since you are seeking to get into this "circle" in a professional way eventually, I think minimizing the distractions on the first night would help you engage in some professional conversations tonight and make a few contacts to build on tomorrow and next weekend. Tomorrow night and the rest of the time, I say absolutely wear the kilt if you choose. They will have already meet you and not be distracted as much by the kilt.

And this is why I'm not sure if the kilt is the way to go tonight. I'm not one who likes attention... I'm actually pretty shy and taking the step in doing this training that will be highly interactive is a huge step for me. Granted, I'll be memorable because of the kilt and that might help in regards to contacts down the road, but I don't want or like the extra attention, it will be a stretch enough for me to be outgoing, but the kilt might help with the confidence in that...

If I may make so bold,I think you need to ask yourself why you are wanting to wear the kilt in the first place, then ask yourself why you want to wear the kilt to work. If the answers to either or both questions(be really honest with yourself!) is to show off even in some minor way, then don't wear the kilt. Remember that in the home of the kilt, Scotland, the kilt is rarely worn to work, so why should anyone in the rest of the world want to? And forget all that, "it is my culture" nonsense, you are, I think, an American, not a Scot! Alright, if and I mean IF,you can still come up with honest answers in the positive then you are nearly on the home run.Then ask yourself would you, as an employer, employ some one wearing the kilt? Many I suspect, may not want to for a hundred good reasons.If you can answer all those questions positively, then you really are on the home run. Good luck!

Good questions I should be asking myself. I'm pretty reserved and shy - I'm not the most outgoing bloke on the block and prefer to stick in the background for most things. I'm not one to show off, so why do I want to wear the kilt? In writing my list I've come up with this: Kilts are more comfortable then jeans/pants and I find myself just wanting to wear kilts for that alone; I feel oddly more confident in a kilt and feel like I care less of what others think of me - which is appealing in a new situation, where I will need to "sell" myself; and I do admit, I do like how I look in a kilt. It looks neater than jeans and shirt to me. I guess, if I am honest, it's a challenge to myself to be myself and be comfortable... especially in a new situation.

I would hire someone in a kilt, if they were qualified for the job... I don't think kilt or no kilt would make a difference.

Thanks for the good suggestions and questions to ask myself... still hemming and hawing over here. If anything, perhaps I'll wear it at least 1 day this weekend and once next weekend - for myself more then anything.

- Noah

[Arlen]

Noah, knowing what the course is about I'm in 2 minds.
you're going to want comfort. You'll want to be physically and mentally as relaxed as possible and if you are having the worries about the kilt it might bring you down a bit. The kilt might be physically comfortable but the nerves might not.

However, it may also help you to feel more open and may appear to the other people as if you are a forward thinking, positive and confident person which might come across as a good thing.


Do whatever you feel comfortable doing and focus on th positive bits of it as you do it.


Good luck tonight.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Do yourself a favour. Unless the group you wish to join are zookeepers, don't be the 500 lbs Gorilla in the room.

Dress conservatively and try to fit in to their social mould.

But above all, if you do decide to wear the kilt, don't prevaricate about "going out" later. Believe me, someone will pick up on it, and your reputation will be ruined.

[MacDonnell1973]

I say "Rock it", hold your head high and be confident. This is your world to build around you. It would be a test to see if these are the people you wish to work around. Go for it and let us know how blown away they are that you are your own man.

Slainte,

Bill