This is me being contentious!

Could it be that sometimes we are a bit too much on the defensive / offensive when an unknowing person calls a kilt a skirt: or reacts in what to us could be an offensive way-but is really just showing their amazement at encountering something new to them.

So rather than the sharp retort-which in one way could be descending to their level, and at another humiliating them: could I suggest another approach?

Here I would cite a conversation I had some years ago in a London shop- it went along these lines:-

Q-'Why are you wearing a skirt'
A-'Actually it's a kilt, and the tartan is of my family, it shows I'm a member of a Scottish clan.'
Q-'Oh that's fun, but why are you wearing it here'.
A-'It's very comfortable and makes a change'.
Q-'Well you do look smart, and it's nice to see a man in something different for a change.'

Anyway we parted with smiles and I think a positive attitude on both sides-whilst if I'd snubbed the lady in question, it would not have done anything for either of us, apart from possibly alienating her to the idea of men wearing the kilt.

Having said that, as I might have mentioned in other posts, having worn the kilt for so long, I possibly take a rather more relaxed attitude than would someone new to the game.

It is an approach I learnt as a result of having been an infantry soldier for many years-and on occasion people who have not been in the military will ask the questions-which any soldier knows should not be asked: rather than reacting, I try to turn the question into more positive channels-a joke even.

James