First Kilted Adventure

[Robin]

That kiltpin is yours!

:grin:

[Hamish]

Looking strangers in the eye is something I have always had big problems with (although I am better at it nowadays), and to SMILE at them as well...! If I did that, especially to another guy, I'd expect him to think I was hitting on him and would be afraid of going home with a black eye for my troubles.

It is easier, of course, if the stranger speaks to me first, then I am fine with it, but not otherwise. I was not brought up to smile at strange men!!!!! ;);)

[mbhandy]

I think as long as you stand tall all of your kilted outings will be good. 8-)

MrBill

[Blu (Ontario)]

Looking strangers in the eye is something I have always had big problems with (although I am better at it nowadays), and to SMILE at them as well...! If I did that, especially to another guy, I'd expect him to think I was hitting on him and would be afraid of going home with a black eye for my troubles....

It's important to appear comfortable, confident, and natural in a kilt just as one does in trousers. If making eye contact and smiling at passersby is what you do in trousers, do the same while wearing a kilt. But a kilt does not suddenly require an individual to display exagerated or unatural mannerisms in order to appear confident. Prolonged or unatural eye contact can be taken by some individuals as aggresive or challenging. Smiling and looking people in the eye when it is natural to do so is, I think, the better approach and likely to be more acceptable to Jane or Joe Public. There is a subtle difference.

cheers,

blu

[mddock58]

Today was rather funny, I was with my son at WalMart for a while, and I ignored the double takes and such, then we went over to the grocery store and on the way out there was a guy with heavy-lensed glasses staring at me, well almost glaring, and I just gave it right back to him......I tried not to bust out laughing.


It is a blast sometimes wearing kilts. :grin:

[Steeplechase]

Great way to start the year Phil.

[Hamish]

It's important to appear comfortable, confident, and natural in a kilt just as one does in trousers. If making eye contact and smiling at passersby is what you do in trousers, do the same while wearing a kilt. But a kilt does not suddenly require an individual to display exagerated or unatural mannerisms in order to appear confident. Prolonged or unatural eye contact can be taken by some individuals as aggresive or challenging. Smiling and looking people in the eye when it is natural to do so is, I think, the better approach and likely to be more acceptable to Jane or Joe Public. There is a subtle difference.

cheers,

blu

Oh, I quite agree Blu. It may seem strange with the way I come across here and as I am with folks I know but, with strangers, I am still - even at my age - very shy. This has nothing to do with my being kilted, I have been the same since I was a child. If anything, it is easier for me now because being kilted 365 days a year for the past 6½ years has worked wonders for my confidence. I am far more outgoing now than I was - but I still have difficulty with meeting strangers and looking them in the eye, even when talking to them face to face.

[pdcorlis]

Wonderful comments from both of you gentlemen - I look forward to the day I don't need to remind myself of who I am before stepping outside in a kilt!

[Sherry]

Nice posts, guys. Love your stories, especially Tono's first time out among his fellow Spaniards.

:-D

[michael steinrok]

Confidence and a big smile go a long way towards appearring as if nothing is out of the ordinary. Standing tall and staight doesn't hurt either. A pleasant thank you isn't abad idea either.

Slainte