WAGs and Kilt wearing

**rmccool** · 30th August 13, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

As for changing her mind....humans are a difficult mammal to train....very difficult....

Only to the extent that laws tend to limit the choice of motivational tools available for the purpose.

My spouse was rather dubious about my choice to begin wearing kilts; she doesn't really dislike kilts, but she's shy in some ways and prefers to avoid attracting attention, especially when in public. Fortunately we respect one another enough to each tolerate the other making choices that we wouldn't have made ourselves. She accepted that kilts were important to me, and while she's still not enthusiastic about them, she doesn't object to me wearing them.

I don't know the usual 'ground rules' of your relationship (for example, do the two of you normally have significant regarding one another's mode of dress?) or what your personalities are like, so I am hesitant to offer advice, but to a great extent, Nathan is correct - you have to be who you are, and if being kilted matters a great deal to you, then your significant other should respect that.

**KiltFitz** · 30th August 13, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by RockyR

If you want to wear a kilt, WEAR it. If she says she doesn't like it, EXPLAIN to her how it's part of your heritage and that it's an outward expression of the heritage you're proud of. If that doesn't work, let her know that "she obviously doesn't care about things that are important to you" and wear it anyway (that guilt trip should push your agenda a bit further down the road as you're accusing her of being insensitive).

If she still complains, in a stern voice, tell her that you'll be "approving" her clothing from now on in the same way she seems to want to "approve" yours, then start telling her EXACTLY what you think of certain fashion choices she's made. You'll either end up wearing the kilt OR throwing it out along with a pile of her clothes.

.

Make sure you have something cold to put on your eye after you've 'explained' things to her and given her a fashion critique. Look out the spare blanket and make up a comfortable bed on the sofa 'cos you'll be there for a while.

Not sure this is going in the right direction. Some people just don't like kilts. It's allowed. Wearing a kilt is not important enough to me to upset my girlfriend however (luckily, she loves to see me wearing my kilt) and I would be wary of guilt-trips or 'programming' as well which I hope was some tongue-in-cheek humour. I see my role in as a boyfriend is to love her,make her laugh and take where she wants to get to.

It's not just WAGs, some of my friends and cousins swore they would never wear one when we were younger. Watching the fun at ceilidhs, rugby and football changed their minds as we grew up however.

**HippieLee** · 30th August 13, 07:45 AM

My wife never had a problem with kilts (At least, if she does, she is indulging me and is looking forward to my first one arriving in November so she can see how it looks) but, thanks to a post in another thread here at X-Marks, when I told her that there is a company that makes Tartan carpet THAT's when the eye-rolling started...lol, I thought they were gonna roll right out the back of her head...I guess tartan carpet doesn't fit her plans of wanting hardwood floors....hmmmm, maybe a tartan area rug?

**andycwb** · 30th August 13, 02:17 PM

My wife has never been that favourable but I think it's a combination of either making sure I can stand the criticism that might ensue, or a hint of jealousy at the interest that might ensue.

Either way, I have both her agreement and the bride's to wear it to a family wedding in a few weeks.

**freddie** · 31st August 13, 01:41 PM

My wife always tries to rile me by referring to my 'skirt'. I also get the "Why do you want to wear it to that?" attitude. I'm afraid she's English and they just don't understand us!

BTW I know what a WAG is but what's a SO?

**Grizzly** · 31st August 13, 02:52 PM

It stands for significant other , Morris .

**Mike M.** · 31st August 13, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by McElmurry

In the US (or at least in the circles which I run) a WAG is a wild a-- guess. In the UK I guess it would be wild ar-- guess. In my business SWAG is a scientific wild a-- guess or what passes for engineering judgement.

It threw me for a loop, too. SWAGs are part of my job (flight testing).

**Aussie_Don** · 31st August 13, 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by McElmurry

In the US (or at least in the circles which I run) a WAG is a wild a-- guess. In the UK I guess it would be wild ar-- guess. In my business SWAG is a scientific wild a-- guess or what passes for engineering judgement.

Originally Posted by Mike M.

It threw me for a loop, too. SWAGs are part of my job (flight testing).

That would be why I included the definition in the original post then.

-Don

**planemaker** · 1st September 13, 10:24 AM

Have her read any of the Diana Gabaldon books. It seems to peak the interest of the ladies in having their man in a kilt.

**tundramanq** · 1st September 13, 11:04 AM

She may be more concerned with what others will think. This is common in insecure people.
We know, to successfully wear a kilt in public takes some sense of self esteem - at least away from Celtic events.

Another objection - Kilts and pleated skirts take a lot of care to maintain. Without the proper equipment they are very labor intensive. Do your own cleaning and pressing or at least equip her to be able to do it with the least amount of effort.
Make or buy a pressing table. It is near impossible to use an ironing board and the floor is back breaking.

BTW, I have picked up a few nice, never cleaned kilts at great prices from households that had no idea of how to care for them and no desire to learn.

Their sloth is my gain..