Other Peoples Expectations
So when I "discovered" kilts five years ago I dove in deep. I'm kilted a LOT around town, but I'm also usually kilted when I travel out-of-town for various events.
For the past few years I've attended the Freedom in Sobriety Hopi AA campout down at Five Houses on the Hopi reservation - kilted of course.
This year the week before was intense, I didn't get an opportunity to pack up early, and when it came time to throw some things together for the weekend I decided to leave the kilts at home and just wear jeans and boots. The venue for the campout is VERY VERY dirty and dusty - think outdoor rodeo arena. I didn't really wanna have to wash the kilts when I got home. The lady friend I stayed with has three cats and I would have had to brush out the kilts too.
And, was kinda feeling like I just wanted to blend in - not stand out from the rest of the folks. And kilted modesty is an issue in those folding camping chairs that set your butt low.
So when I arrive there's a long line of people coming up to me asking, "Where's your kilt?" "Why aren't you wearing a kilt?" "You look so good in a kilt, I wish you'd worn one." "No kilt?" Just a never ending stream of similar questions all weekend.
My fault for setting myself up as the kilted guy? Their expectations that things will never change?
Once we decide to kilt up and sally forth in public do we own the role of "the kilted guy" forever? We know we have choice...do others?
Ron
Ol' Macdonald himself, a proud son of Skye and Cape Breton Island
Lifetime Member STA. Two time winner of Utilikiltarian of the Month.
"I'll have a kilt please, a nice hand sewn tartan, 16 ounce Strome. Oh, and a sporran on the side, with a strap please."
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