The Question!

[motorman4life]

My usual response is, "Wearing a kilt is really about freedom. You are free to wear whatever you like under it.. or nothing, if you wish." If I don't want to get into what I am wearing (or not wearing) under my kilt, I add, "It's really nobody else's business what you wear under your clothes anyhow, it is a personal choice."

In truth, except for a few rare circumstances, I don't know why anyone would wear underwear under their kilt, as it seems to defeat the purpose. But, I have worn loose boxers or lycra shorts on occasion, like when I was going to be around small children or riding my motorcycle.

I respect everyone's personal choices and privacy. I can't imagine asking someone what they have on under their kilt, dress, skirt or pants or blouse, but people don't seem to have any inhibitions about asking you when you are in a kilt. It is like asking someone what their favorite sexual position is. In the right setting, it may be appropriate. But rarely.

I try not to get upset, regardless of how rude they may be in asking, but it is hard not to get perturbed when I answer their question with the same question and they get upset at me for prying!

[flyv65]

Amazing! Bryan were you there? What is truly unbelievable is that his girlfriend/wife/SO said something almost exactly the same after he asked the question! She said something about it not mattering to him because he didn't own any underwear anyway!

I'l have to coach my wife on that answer next time. She would have no problems with that answer and would enjoy the jabe at me in public.

No, I wasn't there, but I've definitely been asked the question before, albiet only by gals (once I was waiting for a beer to be brought to me when an early 20's couple took the bar space to my side. The gal was obviously intrigued and kept asking filler questions before she popped "the biggie". I tried to put it into perspective by asking her what she wore under a mini skirt. She replied "depends-", to which I asked, "Aren't they sort of bulky?" Her boyfriend shot beer out his nose, and shortly after that they left the bar.)

Bryan...every once in a while, it's nice to be asked for entertainment purposes...

[Southern Breeze]

So far the only person to ask me whats under my kilt has been my oldest sister.I simply smiled and said "A caber!" If asked in public I'll probley answer along the lines of "would you consider it polite if I asked you that question?".It would depend on the person.

[arrogcow]

Usually, I say that some guys do and some guys don't, as for me only my wife and my God know for sure.

Adam

[James]

Moving the question along, is it not largely a self inflicted injury?

Look at all the various sites and the like, and see all the associated comments by chaps staing that they wear the kilt in the 'correct manner'; and all the flummery of little jokes etc.

So is it any wonder that people are curious/comment/ask, in view of the fuss made by kilt wearers?

Better by far for us to keep quiet about what is really an entirely personal choice.

James

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Usually, I say that some guys do and some guys don't, as for me only my wife and my God know for sure.

Adam

Adam, great response. Very classy.

RJI

[jkdesq]

RJI,

When asked that question, I don't think you are under any obligation to make a responsive answer. It is not a fair question to pose to a stranger. Something witty and non-responsive would, in my view, be the best. Hopefully something that doesn't attempt to embarrass him and doesn't make you give any information that you don't care to share.

I don't think you owe anyone a lesson in what "regimental" is. Especially in the "small talk" initial part of meeting a new person. Going into a long explanation with new people, in mixed company, would be very awkward indeed.

You can try to memorize all the "text book" answers. But they only work when you are asked the text book format of the question. I can't imagine a circumstance within this century where someone would ask "what is worn under the kilt". He sent you a curve ball. So not surprizing that you were caught off guard.

I like Adam's response "only my wife and I know". I think you could make that the theme to your response to any question on this point. It keeps the mystery, keeps everything hetero (something to be affirmed (if you are hetero) when a strange bloke is asking you about your underwear), affirms your privacy (something that he has invaded), keeps it light and facetious. All in all an excellent answer that could be made a response to any way "the question" is asked.

[mkmound]

RJI,
. . .

I like Adam's response "only my wife and I know". I think you could make that the theme to your response to any question on this point. It keeps the mystery, . . . .

One of my usual responses, with a wink and in my best Scottish accent (which, by the way, is terrible!!) is "At, 'tis the mystery of the kilt!! I'm sworn to secrecy!!"

Seems to work well, especially in those situations where you're passing in the opposite direction of the questioner

[kiltedpride]

The classic response to 'what de ye wear under the kilt' is "nothing worn everything in working order, laddie".
Jamie

"worn" past participle of wear and of course the adj. 'affected by long use'
The pun rarely works with foreigners, I may add.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Yes Jamie, that is the oldest, most oft quoted response, and yes we are advanced enough to understand the play on words. However if you review my initial post on this topic, you would see that it would have been a completely inappropriate response in that situation, as would basically all of the tongue in cheek answers found on many web sites.

RJI