I love how my kids are so used to seeing me in a kilt that they know all the vocabulary -- kilt, sporran, etc. It's just another thing that daddy wears.

It's neat, too, to see men come into the gift shop with their kids, and buy accessories like kilt hose and flashes, and you can tell their kids are just as familiar with this stuff.

I'm sure if my almost-three-year old heard someone call my kilt a skirt, she'd pipe up with, "No, it's a kilt!"

But as for other people's kids, usually when I hear a child ask, "Mommy, why is that man in a dress?" the parents are quick to point out that it's a kilt, and explain to them that it's a Scottish outfit. But what to do if the parent's don't give an explanation?

Well, how old are the kids? If they are young, I'd say just leave it alone. Many young kids might get a little nervous if some stranger were to start talking to them out of the blue. Plus, they wouldn't get your explanation, anyway. What are you going to tell them? "It's not a skirt, it's a kilt, and Scottish people wear them." Kilt? Scottish? Most small children wouldn't have a frame of reference for these things. So best just grin and maybe give them a wave and move on.

With older kids, they might be more open to having you come up and talk with them. But just check out mom and dad and see how they are. If they are open to you coming and giving their child an educational experience, you should be able to tell. If they look like they just want to get on with their shopping and get home, I'd leave it be.

Just my advice!
Matt