Comment, mention, questions, reaction...

**Anthony** · 23rd October 04, 11:53 AM

Good morning,

I've noticed reading the post to these forums, where time and again it seems we expect and in some cases even look for "Comment, mention, question and reaction" from those we encounter while going about our business wearing a kilt, I'm no exception to this.

I wrapped a kilt a on for the first time less then a month ago, and as with so many things in life have found, the "fear, anticipation and expectation" of what people might do and or say was by far worse then any "Comment, mention, question and reaction" I have had so far. Thats not to say there has not been any negative attention (a few off color comments and shirt jokes) to my wearing a kilt, just far less then anticipated.

Myself this is due in part to wearing a kilt is new for me, and partly knowing how people act towards anyone and anything different. I also understand that where we live can play a large part in the attitudes of those we meet.

Do we reach a point, where we no longer expect negative reaction?

Has anybody come to bodily harm for wearing a kilt?

Does our acceptance of ourselves wearing the kilt, play a role in others acceptance of us wearing the kilt?

Have you been anywhere you have not been comfortable wearing a kilt.

Be well,

Anthony

**Riverkilt** · 23rd October 04, 02:18 PM

Me too Anthony,

The more I'm out the less I think about "possible" reactions.

I live in a rural red neck town of 7000. Just spent a couple hours at the local Pumpkin Festival. Lots of people, big doings.

Got two teasing comments from AA friends - nice skirt and what?? Corrected the nice skirt comment pointing out it was a kilt (he's a Navajo Viet Nam combat veteran and I'm in my AK tiger stripe). Answered the other guy (an ex convict meth head now clean and sober) with my favorite line - my balls made parole....thanks to whoever passed that on.

A cute young high school teacher (sadly married with toddlers) came up to me and said with a big smile, "Nice legs." Hey, I'm 60, I'll take that. just said thanks.

Its that old line about the worst things I ever experienced never actually happened.

Ron

**GMan** · 24th October 04, 04:42 PM

Anthony,

Been thinking about what you have said.

I am by nature a guy who does not like much attention drawn to me. Yet I do wear a kilt, and that for sure is an attention getter. I knew that going into the kilted experience.

I like the fact that it is expected of me to wear a kilt and nothing is said to me about it by either people I know or strangers. It feels natural (because it is) to be kilted. Comments of allright a kilt, or of those why are you wearing a dress seem to be getting further away from others mouths, or else I have become numb to all comments, and I can just be me.

It is natural, and when you are confident it does show through to others and the comments do cease. When I catch someone looking at me I just smile at them and wave or say Hi depending on how close the are. Of course all those "nice legs" comments are a real plus.

**Freedomlover** · 24th October 04, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by Anthony

Good morning,

Do we reach a point, where we no longer expect negative reaction?

Yes. Trust me.

Has anybody come to bodily harm for wearing a kilt?

Yes. A couple years ago I slipped off the edge of a mountain trail and landed in a blackberry patch. Quite painful.

Does our acceptance of ourselves wearing the kilt, play a role in others acceptance of us wearing the kilt?

Certainly. If you go about in a furtive manner or duck for cover at every approach you will convey the impression that you are doing something 'wrong'. If you, as the wearer, are not confident how can you expect others to have confidence in you?

Have you been anywhere you have not been comfortable wearing a kilt.

Yes. Last January at the summit of Mt. Pisgah. 5 degrees F and a nice breeze. I am, however, quite comfortable anywhere above 20 degrees.

**Blu (Ontario)** · 24th October 04, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by Anthony

... Do we reach a point, where we no longer expect negative reaction?

Negative reactions, although much in the minority, can come anytime, anywhere. BUT... they really lack imagination. It's pretty much the same stock comments repeated time and again. "Nice skirt, where's your pipes, are you gay"... etc. The stock answers suggested by the membership here shuts them all down pretty quickly. 8)

Has anybody come to bodily harm for wearing a kilt?

Not that I've ever heard. Certain drunk people might be inclined to feel more abusive verbally. Although I couldn't imagine anyone with your stature being concerned about that.

...Does our acceptance of ourselves wearing the kilt, play a role in others acceptance of us wearing the kilt?

Probably. I believe that at some point each of us must conclude that it is the right thing to do and that our individual reasons for doing so are sound and legitimate. Once others, such as friends and family, educated as to your reasoning, acceptance (if not understanding) is a matter of time.

Have you been anywhere you have not been comfortable wearing a kilt.

Sure... and nothing happened!

**RockyR** · 24th October 04, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by Freedomlover

---

Yes. Last January at the summit of Mt. Pisgah. 5 degrees F and a nice breeze. I am, however, quite comfortable anywhere above 20 degrees.

We have been crossing paths quite a bit this past year !

**phil h** · 24th October 04, 05:52 PM

Do we reach a point, where we no longer expect negative reaction?
NO

Has anybody come to bodily harm for wearing a kilt?
NO

Does our acceptance of ourselves wearing the kilt, play a role in others acceptance of us wearing the kilt?
I THINK SO

Have you been anywhere you have not been comfortable wearing a kilt.
UNSURE BUT NOT UNCOMFOTABLE

my answers are in caps, see above

**Graham** · 24th October 04, 05:59 PM

Anthony, working around all those big knives (your gallery photo), you have no fear of bodily harm!!

One does get to the point when donning a kilt is so normal and natural that when out and about you wonder what others are staring at.

When people say "aren't you cold?" I reply, NO I have a thick wooly and coat on.

**zeytoun** · 24th October 04, 06:11 PM

There will always be rude people, no matter how comfortable you are with yourself. I get plenty of positive comments, and am very comfortable wearing my kilts, but I still get a negative comment every now and then. Had some kids call me "fag" from their car the other day, and when I went to Old Navy for a couple t-shirts yesterday, turned around a few times to catch people pointing and snickering (How rude!). It wasn't because I was "insecure or uncomfortable" or looked funny; I was feeling great, and I had several beaming compliments earlier.

But, by and large, the negative reactions are found only where dumb people congregate (like malls), or when people are just trying to find someone to irritate from a safe distance. I never get rude snickers or comments walking into a pub, restaurant, museum, or vancouver...

**Blu (Ontario)** · 24th October 04, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by zeytoun

... Had some kids call me "fag" from their car the other day...

So you get that one too. All you can do is roll your eyes! A fast moving car is a safe place for teenagers to show off a bit of bravado. You know, you probably made their day!

... the negative reactions are found only where dumb people congregate (like malls)...

If we've got the nads to stand out in a crowd by wearing a kilt, we shouldn't be bothered by a negative reaction or two. They are without exception pretty lame.