reactions abroad ??

[flairball]

My interest is primarilly in traditional tartan kilts. Reading the posts here it seems that many of the members have traveled from their homes to Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. So, my question is this; What reaction, if any, did you perceive from the locals when they saw you (the foriegner) wearing a kilt?

I ask this because there is a tendancy for people to only focus on the stupid, or embarassing behavior of tourists. I'm certain there are plenty of tourists to the region who would treat a cultural tradition such as kilt wearing with little respect.

[highlander_Daz]

Americans,: they are normally the one wearing the kilts,

Germans :they normally demand to know why your wearing a Skirt then insist they invented the Kilt,

Japanese, :look puzzled then want endless photographs taking with you,

just off the top of my head!

[Paul Henry]

When I was in Gent(Belguim) my friend and I- both kilted- were almost mobbed by Spanish tourists! The locals were amused but no especial comments!!

[Hamish]

In my experience, as long as he wears the kilt with respect and behave in a respectful manner, the visiting tourist to Scotland (and Wales) will, in turn, be respected and wecomed by the residents.

By this I do not mean that he should be overdressed with every Highland Dress accessory in the catalogues nor, on the other hand, should our tourist dress in a sloppy or slovenly manner - one can be too casual!!

He should simply remember that the kilt is an everyday garment and is not a uniform (unless, of course, he is a member of a visiting pipe band!!). He should keep the accessories to a minimum and appropriate to the time of day.

By all means, our tourist, may wear a T-shirt with his kilt (best if it is a plain one and in white or a colour that co-ordinates with the tartan) together with folded down hose and boots, as day wear.

Just remind him to take a good look in a full-length mirror before he leaves his hotel or B&B - in other words, our tourist should dress as carefully as he would, or should, back home!!

[bubba]

in other words, our tourist should dress as carefully as he would, or should, back home!!

Ham, I'd hope most Americans would dress BETTER than they do back home. Good God! The things I see people wearing on the street!

[UmAnOnion]

Ham, I'd hope most Americans would dress BETTER than they do back home. Good God! The things I see people wearing on the street!

HA!!!
Far FAR FAR too many of the tourists that i have had the pleasure of dealing with in my life dress WORSE when travelling then when at home. they often think they can get away with wearing stuff thatthey wouldnt be caught dead in when in thier own neighborhood!!!

I am sorry but certain items of clothing shoudl come with a load limit !!!

[Hamish]

Ham, I'd hope most Americans would dress BETTER than they do back home. Good God! The things I see people wearing on the street!

LOL! I was not brave enough to say as much, Bubba! Thank you for doing it for me. ;)

[laotou]

I don't know about Scotland, but if you wear a kilt in China, you feel like a rock star.

[pdcorlis]

I don't know about Scotland, but if you wear a kilt in China, you feel like a rock star.

This gets my vote for best one liner of the week!

[cessna152towser]

Graham wrote:-

I got a lot of tourists wanting to photograph me,

I wear kilts a lot in my native Scotland and I've only ever been asked twice by tourists to pause and pose with them for a photograph, once in Edinburgh and once in Fort William and both times by Japanese tourists. It must be your beard, Graham, that makes you photogenic. IMHO tourists visiting Scotland don't even give a man in a kilt a second glance after they've been in Scotland for a few hours by which time they will have seen plenty kilted men already, unless he is playing bagpipes - now that's different - used to get my photo taken often while playing the pipes.