Yesterday I proved to myself two assertions that I had read somewhere:
1. The kilt is cool in hot weather
2. The kilt is an ice-breaker

The temperature here was 26 degrees C. I wore the kilt all day and the only discomfort I had came from the t-shirt I had mistakenly worn under my shirt.

I spotted some folks that live nearby that don't like me very much. (British understatement.) I decided that here was the opportunity to test the second assertion. So I went over to where they were having coffee. The husband looked away as I approached. What was he saying to the roof? Undaunted, I turned on the charm, asked after their health, asked if I could join them, did so before they could refuse, sweeping my pleats in style, and discovered that they quickly thawed out! "I see you're wearing your skirt today," said she, testing my resolve. I produced my flier "The kilt." "My father was a Scotsman," she replied. (Surprise, surprise.) I said, "You'll know all about the kilt, then." And then we were under way in amicable chat. I was careful not to outstay my welcome. I got farther with them today than I had in some years.

I also gave a bevy of receptionists at another place a flier. They were asking why I was wearing the kilt, where I got it and so on. Then a man appeared and attempted to hijack the scene by saying superciliously, "You'll be wearing your undies, then?" I took that as my cue to leave, saying airily, "It's all in the leaflet."

My leaflet covers all eventualities. It's fun.

Here I haven't seen more than two people in two decades wearing the kilt casually, as I am doing. Maybe I'll set a trend. In the meantime it takes some gall to do it.