Mall of America...3rd party kilting

[ChubRock]

Today my wife and I took our daughters and a friend of theirs to the Mall of America to check out the re-branded indoor amusement park; Nickelodeon Universe. Nice thing for us is that it is only seven miles from our home, so it is no big deal to visit MOA, in fact it is the mall we chose to shop at while in need for mall like things.

Anyway, there was a young kilted man walking about the park as well. We saw him several times as we looped the same areas. I said hello, but he was not down for chatting. What was interesting was that it was almost like being on a hidden camera show. I was able to observe others reactions. People almost fell down double-taking after they passed. Many people grinned, shook their heads, pointed it out to family members and even talked with strangers after they realized the man was kilted. THough I think some were shocked, especially the rubes, some of their reactions were rude. I can only imagine how they treat a kid in a wheelchair or someone has a visible difference about them.

It was a MacKenzie tartan with basic sporran, combat boots and a t-shirt. I thought nothing of it since the Minnesota Irish Fair started yesterday in St. Paul which is about 15 miles away. Just my observation.

http://www.mallofamerica.com/

[Rex_Tremende]

Anyway, there was a young kilted man walking about the park as well. We saw him several times as we looped the same areas. I said hello, but he was not down for chatting.

It's always fun to encounter a kilt in the wild like that. Were you wearing yours at the time? From my own experience, it can be a challenge to sort out the motivations of people who approach me when I'm in a kilt.

Regards,
Rex.

[Stratherrick]

One of the strangset reactions I've ever had was a bloke who came up to me in the capital, just opposite Deacon Brodie's. He was on his own and about 30-ish. It turns out that he was English-born but with Scots ancestry. He rushed across the road and came up and shook my hand really vigourously, saying,

"I've been watching you from across the street for the last five minutes, and I've decided! I've decided I'm going to move to Scotland as soon possible! It's you wearing your kilt as if it's the most natural thing in the world. I was born south of the border, but I'm gonna come home now.Thanks!"

And that was it! I never got to hear more of his story. He seemed a rational, intelligent sort of fella. Nothing odd or peculiar about him but, for him, the thing that tipped the balance was wearing my kilt. Bizarre yet heartwarming!

You never know how deep your display runs.

Slainte

Bruce

[Urchurdan]

I am Scottish, I live in Scotland with my American wife (from Iowa) I visited the Mall of America on our last trip over there, and was as usual, kilted. I had absolutely no problem with the very polite - if inquisitive people there. I had a queue (line) of people at one point waiting their turn to speak to me.
Many of them were veterans, keen not only to ask me about the kilt and Scotland, but also to tell me their stories -and especially what tartan they were entitled to wear.
I have found this level of inquisitive politeness everywhere I have travelled in the USA. The only time I had any adverse comment was from a fairground worker who shouted "there is a guy in a skirt." However there are people like that in-breed in every country in the world. I have had similar remarks here in Scotland occasionally.
I have always found the American people polite, friendly, open and yes inquisitive. No bad thing. The most amusing comment I ever had (for me) was the elderly gentleman who came up to me in a store and said "I love you Irish guys in your Kilts."My reply. "Thank you sir, its very kind of you to say so.".
So from my own perspective, I can only say its a big thumbs up for the Mall of America and also to the vast majority of the Citizens of the USA from this kilt wearer.

[Howard Clark]

That's very kind of you, I thank you for your comments about us.

Where in Iowa is your wife from ? I live about 30 minutes out of Des Moines, myself.

[Urchurdan]

Hey Howard, my wife is from Des Moines, her Mother and Brother both live in the City. They are over on the eastside, it is a lovely City, I thoroughly enjoy visiting - it takes a wee while for folks to get the hang of my accent, but once they get used to it, I find that we have a lot in common.
I especially like to get out and visit the small Towns, this is the 'real' America, away from the glamour and glitz of the tourist routes.
The people are - as I said in my post, friendly and polite, and even the ones who have never heard about Scotland are keen to find out about my wee Country.
The kilt has enabled me to speak to people, who I otherwise might never have broke breath to, and as I hope they have learned something of interest from me, equally my own knowledge of America and its people has also grown and developed.

[macwilkin]

Hey Howard, my wife is from Des Moines, her Mother and Brother both live in the City. They are over on the eastside, it is a lovely City, I thoroughly enjoy visiting - it takes a wee while for folks to get the hang of my accent, but once they get used to it, I find that we have a lot in common.
I especially like to get out and visit the small Towns, this is the 'real' America, away from the glamour and glitz of the tourist routes.
The people are - as I said in my post, friendly and polite, and even the ones who have never heard about Scotland are keen to find out about my wee Country.
The kilt has enabled me to speak to people, who I otherwise might never have broke breath to, and as I hope they have learned something of interest from me, equally my own knowledge of America and its people has also grown and developed.

My Scottish ancestors immigrated to Iowa in the mid 19th century -- they lived in Knoxville for a number of years before moving to DSM and then into north centrl Iowa along modern-day I-35.

Like you, I absolutely love Iowa and her people -- Iowa is truly the heartland of America.

Todd

[Rex_Tremende]

I especially like to get out and visit the small Towns, this is the 'real' America, away from the glamour and glitz of the tourist routes.
The people are - as I said in my post, friendly and polite, and even the ones who have never heard about Scotland are keen to find out about my wee Country.

I find it a little troubling that there are people in the "real" America who haven't heard of Scotland. Nevertheless, it's a big country, and our glittering, gritty cities are as much a part of it as the small towns, exurbs, and rural expanses, just as our mountains are different from the canyons, the shores and deserts, forests and farms, there's something - and some place - for everyone.

Mall of America, Main Street, or Rodeo Drive - I think you'll find nice people everywhere.

Regards,
Rex.

[Urchurdan]

Sorry, I did not intend any inference that there are no nice people in big Towns/Cities, of course there are, but I am from a small village myself, and find some big Cities rather intimidating, this is down to the sheer scale of some of the cities, not the people in them. I am like a fish out of water in London for instance. The pace of life is so fast...
Anyway, I wonder if you would like to see a pic of me taken during my last trip, I am wearing a Lion Rampant kilt, I am a Scottish Monarchist, what would have been called in the old days a Jacobite I suppose..
I have also put in a pic of me and my Iowa lass both wearing the Ancient Urquhart tartan (Our Clan)... This is the first time I have tried to do this, apologies if I get it wrong...

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[Geoff Withnell]

I find it a little troubling that there are people in the "real" America who haven't heard of Scotland. Nevertheless, it's a big country, and our glittering, gritty cities are as much a part of it as the small towns, exurbs, and rural expanses, just as our mountains are different from the canyons, the shores and deserts, forests and farms, there's something - and some place - for everyone.

Mall of America, Main Street, or Rodeo Drive - I think you'll find nice people everywhere.

Regards,
Rex.

I don't think its that they have never "heard" of Scotland, meaning not knowing of its existance. Just never "heard about" Scotland. American idiom, indicating no real knowledge of what it's like.

Geoff Withnell