Undecided about the workplace.

[kilted in kleaveland]

I have worn my kilt to work on a few special occasions with positive responses, but that it a far cry from being kilted everyday. Many people do understand kilting for special occasions, but don't understand why I would wear them most days. For those that have decide to kilt full time, how difficult was the transition at the workplace? (Asuming that kilting is accepted in your workplace) Admittedly people view us as eccentric (probably right).
I would imagine there would be some social ramifications accompaning this decision. Has this adversly affected your ability for upward movement or given you some kind of percieved negative stigma? Or do the positives outweigh the negatives. I'm sure that many here would appreciate your experiences and advise on making this transition.

[Chris Webb]

I'm lucky enough to be self employed, but I still have to be able to get clients. I wear kilts every day and know for a fact that I've actually got business because of it. BUT, I don't know if I've lost business or not, I may well have.

I've had more trouble out of family than anyone else, my Step-Dad in particular ... we're in the same line of work and he stated one time, "You're losing business over the kilt, ya know." I stated back, "Well, I suppose then that my kilt is a test of their character, if they're so damned closed minded as to reject me over my kilt then I really don't want to be doing business with them anyway."

Of course, my Step-Dad is possibly right, but I've got as much business as I can handle anyway, so it doesn't really matter. As for any kind of perceived negative stigma it really is all in the perceiver. At the Chamber of Commerce virtually everybody thinks my kilts are awesome for business and credit the success of my little Waste Management Company to my being the most memorable, for both kilt and character, in the region. Of course, they also universally think I'm best off self-employed, given my non-conformist leanings, and all agree that I'd have a hard time transitioning to the corporate world.

Though kilts are becoming more accepted, particularly accepted beyond its use as a Scottish cultural icon, its still not seen as business attire in many sectors. It's human nature for any given group to have sort of a uniform, particularly any kind of structured group, like a business or profession. If you defy the uniform you must provide enough value to the organization or profession to counter-balance the negative stigma you accrue through being out of uniform. But it only takes one guy to manage this kind of defiance successfully to open the door for others to do it too, without the defiance factor.

It takes intestinal fortitude to be the first one to do anything, it only takes an opportunity for the next person to do it. Every person who has the gaul to be the first will have to contend with the negative stigma of being a non-conformist ... but they will also have the deep but quiet respect of the silent masses. Such a person may well be hated by a few, regarded as a hero by a few more ... but such a person makes a difference, establishes new social mores, and broadens the definition of acceptable apparel in his small part of the world.

There is risk in being the person I've described, such a person could even lose his job. Then again, such a person has always been willing to take a loss, take a ding for making a difference ... such is the heart of that kind of person. Putting on a kilt is not like saving the world or finding a cure of cancer or establishing peace in the middle-east ... it's just a kilt. But the freedom to wear a kilt tastes good to someone who loves freedom ... and no matter how small or seemingly insignificant any particular freedom may be, it's still freedom ... are not even the smallest of diamonds considered precious?

Kilt On.

Chris Webb

[Aramp]

"Well, I suppose then that my kilt is a test of their character, if they're so damned closed minded as to reject me over my kilt then I really don't want to be doing business with them anyway."Kilt On.
Chris Webb

To be very fair, I am very happy to be in a position where I can say that to someone and still come out okay. I'm not trying to fight my way up in the business world.

Perhaps you should talk it over with your superiors or colleagues first? Or first wear it to an informal event? Company picnic, that sort of thing?

[binx]

The way I broke into wearing kilts regularly was a couple of Halloween costume days at work. Then I wore one on St Pat's day, and then Tartan Day. After getting the OK from management since they have seen me in kilts, and working where diversity is welcome, I began wearing them every other day. I've built up a collection of SportKilts, which allows me to wear different tartans, and they are pretty much wash and wear. Thank goodness they sew down the pleats and add belt loops now! The AKs and UKs initially got the "sk**t comments, but have become accepted as well. It definitely makes for comfortable days at work! It is also interesting to observe how people greet you in pants vs kilts.

binx

[Southern Breeze]

I'm a Landscape Designer and foreman so it was easy for me to be kilted at work. I asked the owner of the company (and also my supervisor) and was told "If you're man enough, go ahead". It's been almost a year now and so far it's been over 90% positive.
Being kilted at work is not something everyone (even if they want to) can do. There may be dress codes, safety regulations and other things that prevent it. Enjoy wearing the kilt whenever you can, even if it's not full time.

[sorcererdale]

I repair clocks and sell them too. While I was at the county fair with my booth, I was kilted the whole time. So far, two people have come up to me, even while I am in a different city, and even if I don't have my kilt on at that time, they remember me.


DALE.