Two weeks, five wearings... my first exposure to the kilt

[Coastie]

Well I got my USA Kilts Casual a couple weeks ago and I thought I might share my thoughts on my experience as a kilt wearer with everyone here.

Wearing One: The first person to see it was my lovely old mother and she adored it. The ol' gal grabbed my behind and laughed but thought it was adorable (her words). I took her out to lunch (Tartan day) at your typical Irish themed sports bar and I got several interesting looks from the waitresses and patrons but no comments.

Wearing Two: Went out to lunch at a pizza place near my house. The gal that seated me said "Great legs!" and smiled. The waitress asked if I was Irish or something... and why was I wearing a kilt.

Wearing Three: I went to lunch (being retired the majority of my time outside the house is eating out) and the gal seating me said "Oh my God, that's a kilt!" It was the first time she had ever seen a kilt in person it turns out. The fella clearing tables stopped and said "Are you Irish?" I explained, no I am from the US but the Kidd family name derives from Scotland.

Wearing Four: I needed to pick up a couple things for my lovely ol' moms at Walmart and I was no more than 6 or 8 steps into the store when a young man (Maybe 23 or 24) stopped me and asked simply "Why?" I played ignorant and said "Why what?" He again said "Why?" I told him I enjoyed wearing the kilt and it was something I enjoyed. A bit presumptuous of me but I stand by it. I was wearing the LE memorial tartan and the kilt pins I use are my CPO hat pin and a bit lower a basic parachutist badge. He saw those and said "When were you airborne?" I told him 1984. We then had a typical discussion about shared experiences.

Wearing Five: I went to drop off my GI Bill eligibility paperwork at Midway College. I stopped at the front desk and asked for help pointing me the right way. The receptionist got up and was leading me to the proper office and when she got around her desk saw my kilt and said "Oh my god, I love your Kilt".

So I have thoroughly enjoyed the reaction I have received wearing my Kilt here in Kentucky. I have lived here for almost 2 years now and have seen no one else wearing it. I look forward to lots more interesting interactions.

[robbiethepiper]

Wonder what I'm doing wrong? Very occasionally a teenager will shout something, from the safety of a car in, order to show his friends how brave he is, apart from that - Zilch. I admit tht I might look a bit fierce with red (OK + white) beard, sgian that doesn't look as if it's just for show etc. but... I wonder if it's a transatlantic thing. Here, commenting on a stranger's dress, even positively, is seen as very bad-mannered and inviting response which could well be violent. Appreciate comment on whether my theory is tenable?....

[Jock Scot]

Wonder what I'm doing wrong? Very occasionally a teenager will shout something, from the safety of a car in, order to show his friends how brave he is, apart from that - Zilch. I admit tht I might look a bit fierce with red (OK + white) beard, sgian that doesn't look as if it's just for show etc. but... I wonder if it's a transatlantic thing. Here, commenting on a stranger's dress, even positively, is seen as very bad-mannered and inviting response which could well be violent. Appreciate comment on whether my theory is tenable?....

Yes I agree with you and I too wonder if this is a trans-Atlantic thing.

[Spartan Tartan]

Thanks for sharing your story. Sounds like you have it figured out and the people of Kentucky are pleasant enough.

As to the transatlantic issue, no ideas. Perhaps the people from Kentucky are still learning polite manners for which our southern states are known? Or, you might be onto something with your own appearance--i don't know what you look like so I can't say "you're scary looking", but if that's the case maybe no one wants to get hurt But you might be spot on if the culture over there is not to comment. That being the case, I wouldn't expect many comments or noticeable reactions to a kilt or anything else for that matter.

Just a couple thoughts ... oh and AIRBORNE! Do you still remember your points of contact when performing a PLF?

[Coastie]

Just a couple thoughts ... oh and AIRBORNE! Do you still remember your points of contact when performing a PLF?

Just jogged my memory... I remember we always said "pull your head out of your fourth point of contact" when someone was doing something stupid. So number four is easy to recall.

[longhuntr74]

Just a couple thoughts ... oh and AIRBORNE! Do you still remember your points of contact when performing a PLF?

The three rules of the air...

1)Always look before turning

2) Turn right to avoid collision

3) Lower jumper has the right of way.

Thats what I recall.. and that was a long time ago.

Good job, Coastie! There's the three rules of the air! I can recall being a bit perturbed the time some guy decided to skyshark over me and then run across my canopy...though that wasn't as bad as the guy throwing his static line as he walked off the ramp or the time I landed on a mobile home....

Five points of contact for a PLF...Balls of the feet, Calf, Thigh, Buttocks (the fourth, as noted earlier), and pull-up muscle!

Regarding the topic...I've had similar experiences...everything from complements given face to face, complements shouted from afar, some friendly inquisitions amounting to "Why?", etc. I had one girl chase me down in Walmart last week to ask if I was from Scotland. I felt as though I had let her down when I couldn't fake an accent.

[EagleJCS]

Thanks for sharing your story. Sounds like you have it figured out and the people of Kentucky are pleasant enough.

As to the transatlantic issue, no ideas. Perhaps the people from Kentucky are still learning polite manners for which our southern states are known?

Most folks here in Kentucky are reasonably friendly and polite, and most won't comment on your clothing (at least not directly to you unless they have some "liquid courage" in them) unless they know you. You will likely get some stares and/or smirks because the kilt is not common apparel in the U.S., but most won't say anything. Look 'em in the eye with a small smile and a nod and there shouldn't be any issues. Restaurant servers and other public professions (store clerks, etc.) would be more likely to say something because they're trying to engage their customers in some way. In my experience, the most many will say is "nice kilt" if they know what it is you're wearing.

Not everyone who lives in Kentucky grew up here (yes, people actually do move into the state from time to time), so that may explain the young fellow at Wally world.

Having been born and raised here, I have noticed a deterioration of manners over the years, though. Many young people (I'd say under 25 or so) do or say things on impulse that folks in my generation would have thought twice about. That doesn't appear to be limited to Kentucky, though. Maybe that's due to the reduction in modeling proper face-to-face social interaction by adults? A question for another forum, I think.


To the OP: good on ya, Coastie! Keep wearing the kilt with pride and don't worry about the offhand remarks. The more you wear the kilt out & about, the more people will get used to seeing one.

[Coastie]

Wonder what I'm doing wrong? Very occasionally a teenager will shout something, from the safety of a car in, order to show his friends how brave he is, apart from that - Zilch. I admit tht I might look a bit fierce with red (OK + white) beard, sgian that doesn't look as if it's just for show etc. but... I wonder if it's a transatlantic thing. Here, commenting on a stranger's dress, even positively, is seen as very bad-mannered and inviting response which could well be violent. Appreciate comment on whether my theory is tenable?....

I'll let you judge my appearance. I have always had my shipmates to back me up. But will not bode well for someone who gets frisky. 20+ years is long enough to learn a trick or two.

[Coastie]

The three rules of the air...

1)Always look before turning

2) Turn right to avoid collision

3) Lower jumper has the right of way.

Thats what I recall.. and that was a long time ago.

[Spartan Tartan]

Yeah, me too But my favorite was making sure I had a good canopy. My "stress" always went way down after that check....

I'm glad you're enjoying your kilting experiences.