Does Everyone Know About Kilts?

[thecompaqguy]

One of the issues is that some people have never see a Kilt or seen a kiltie wearing his Kilt. The chances of seeing another Kiltie are very small.
We accept wearing the Kilt as a way of life. People who spend their life in Walmart in their pajamas are unlikely to recognise that a gentleman is wearing a kilt. If a kiltie goes out with a partner in a pleated skirt some folks think the lady is wearing a Kilt and her male Partner is wearing a
skirt. I convinced someone that a lady who was wearing a pencil skirt was wearing a European version of a Figian male wrap over garment without the wrap over aprons but with a vent in the back. They considered the lady was wearing a kilt without any aprons, and considered I was wearing a skirt. I find the easiest thing to do is to ignore people who laugh at you and shout abuse, as I do not have the vocabulary to banter
with their bad manners and lack of education regarding popular current fashion trends. Roderick Powell

Thankfully our Walmart UK subsidiary, Asda, isn't so bad sartorially, but we have the 'Chav' (Council Housed And Violent) sub-class who have embraced the shell suit (similar to a sport track suit) and they too wear them several sizes too big in that 'ghetto' style. Thankfully as fashion is changing so much in the UK (the 'mirt' / manskirt is making inroads, and the X Factor's male singer tipped to win regularly wears a pencil skirt on stage) there's far bolder clothing out there than a kilt. I think there's some places I just wouldn't wear a kilt to, I would just blend with the masses when shopping. People know what a kilt is, even if they give it a nickname of 'man skirt' - look at any Twitter reference with the hashtag #kilt and aside from the US urban term for 'killed', people know full well what a kilt is. Life is too short to worry about other people's feelings, just worry about your own. Those who find the kilt 'disgusting' are just childish or trying to draw attention to themselves with such remarks.

Ask anyone from any country about Scotland, and aside from bagpipes they will inevitably mention the kilt.

[Profane James]

'Council Housed and Violent' - brilliant.

[Father Bill]

In response to the original question, there are an increasing number of people who don't apparently know anything about anything. Proof? Have you read anything lately on Facebook?

The worst is that they honestly think that their ignorance is of equal value to expert knowledge.

One might easily despair of humanity!

[kilted firefighter]

Xenophobia is unfortunately alive and well. The only thoughts and actions we can control are our own. It's sad on the one hand that in this day and age we must occasionally endure this type of behavior on the other hand we choose to wear something unique.

[tundramanq]

I got to defend Wal-Mart here. My local Wal-Mart that I shop at about twice a week is in a semi rundown neighborhood with the expected group of customers. I have never had anything but positive complements and legitimate questions for the last 5 years of wearing the kilt everyday. I think the greeters at the door and fast security tend to keep the drunks and troublemaker "hood want-a-bees" at bay.
There is also the aspect of teens with no parental guidance and NO self respect just don't "hang out" with their pals at Wal-marts, they go the upscale malls, etcetera to cat call and objectify people.

[pastorsteve]

While you might think that in a world of internet, cable tv and .... (ergh) Braveheart that most would be aware of kilts but that, I fear, is overly optimistic thinking. Most people are ignorant of many things. The kilt will be one of the things that most people will not have ever had any first-hand experience with. I still and always believe that reactions received are very much in line with the way one carries themselves in various situations. If you (the wearer) wear whatever you wear like you own and embrace it (look at Steven Tyler or Johnny Depp) you will sell the idea behind what you are wearing. If you look afraid, timid or poorly put together, you are more likely to be the recipient of attention that you would rather not receive. Don't assume that everyone knows about anything let alone everything.

[MacKenzie]

Personal belief is, there are darned few subjects about which, all Americans know ANYTHING AT ALL.

In response to the original question, there are an increasing number of people who don't apparently know anything about anything. Proof? Have you read anything lately on Facebook?

The worst is that they honestly think that their ignorance is of equal value to expert knowledge.

One might easily despair of humanity!

I am of the same opinion as quoted above. With that in mind...

Regarding Braveheart (and now Outlander): We're stretching it pretty thin to think that non-kilt wearers are going to make the connection between those movie costumes and modern-day kilt attire, be it THCD or contemporary. Heck, take a look around your local Scottish Festival/Highland Games. Sure there are many people there in proper Highland attire, but the ren-faire cross-overs muddy the waters as far as John Q. Public's idea of what kilt wearing is supposed to look like.

Finally, we should always keep in mind that by our presence here it's obvious we've done our kilt 'due diligence'. After all, prior to arriving here I was ignorant. Furthermore...

Tho this forum is not MENSA-associated, folks here do tend to be pretty hot stuff, experiences-wise, intellectually, knowledge-possessing, traveled, capable....