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

[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.

[MichaelPHahn]

It's the culture. I had the priviledge of teaching technical classes in London several times over a three year period. While neither culture is better or worse, there is a definite difference when it comes to expectations of personal space and familiarity. Persons raised with "Southern Hospitality" will attempt to look you in the eye, smile, and engage a passing stranger with a comment. This includes positive comments about almost anything ("If you can't say something nice, though, don't say anything.") when I was in London people would do almost anything to avoid eye contact, as I passed them, and would cringe if I said "How do you do?" women would just about run away if I smiled at them and tipped the brim of my cap (I must have appeared to have been an evil deviant).

I would like to say that once I observed the different behavioral norms I complied, but actually I gained much pleasure in pushing the envelope by doing such things as smiling at folks. Wicked me!

[BruceBC]

Having spent a few summers in London I would agree with the eye contact comment. My lord, if you make eye contact with someone on the street you would have sworn that you were jack the Ripper. In order to blend in I learned to stare at the ground when walking. Each to their own.

[Father Bill]

So . . . advice from our "Professional Scots" - what's the eye contact rule in Scotland?

[Spartan Tartan]

It is certainly worth the time to understand social norms when visiting another country. If for no other reason, than to understand expected behavior. (I suppose we each decide how much to comply, now don't we)

[Finn]

Good for you, Coastie!

[Zardoz]

Having spent a few summers in London I would agree with the eye contact comment. My lord, if you make eye contact with someone on the street you would have sworn that you were jack the Ripper. In order to blend in I learned to stare at the ground when walking. Each to their own.

This reminds me of a conversation I had with my mother in-law! She was a "military brat" that lived all over the world for the first 20 - 25 years of her life, and has traved quite a bit since. She was in England and Scotland for a week a couple of years ago, and she commented on the same eye contact - talking to strangers thing. She said it was easier to engage a stranger in Riyadh than in the UK.
She had some thoughts on it, but honestly, posting them would be a 5 violation.

[robbiethepiper]

So . . . advice from our "Professional Scots" - what's the eye contact rule in Scotland?

Same as the rest of the UK. Its generally accepted that making deliberate eye contact means you want to have sex with someone, sell them something or ask a financial favour.....

[Spartan Tartan]

Same as the rest of the UK. Its generally accepted that making deliberate eye contact means you want to have sex with someone, sell them something or ask a financial favour.....

Really?! Wow.

[Jock Scot]

Same as the rest of the UK. Its generally accepted that making deliberate eye contact means you want to have sex with someone, sell them something or ask a financial favour.....

------or, you are about to get a black eye, or worse!

I come from a fairly rural back ground, although towns a cities have ventured into my life from time to time, and I am sure it was not as it is now, some 70,60,50, 40 even 30 years ago. Certain places in the major cities of the UK had grim reputations, but usually a nod, a raise of the hat, a touch on the brim even, or a smile from passing strangers was commonplace then. It still is in the Highlands amongst the older locals.