reactions abroad ??

[KiltedKnight]

I don't know how you'll all take this but since the way that people dress might be taken as indicative of their ways of life I want to relate this story. When my children were young, (they have babes of their own now), I remember once after all the bills were paid and the shopping done we needed milk for the kids for breakfast. We really had to stretch the budget back then to make ends meet so we scraped together just enough, literally, to get a gallon of milk and in my work clothes I went to the market. As I was standing in line waiting my turn the folks just ahead of me that had a heaping shopping cart full of every kind of food and delicacy you could imagine and dressed in all the latest fashions, if that's what you want to call the clown-like garb, all brand new, paid for it all in food stamps. I couldn't apply for food stamps but it sure made me wonder how as a working man I had to scrimp and save to get by and my taxes were taken to support everyone else. I'm not forgetting that there are some who really are in need but even the car these folks were driving was years newer than mine. In any case what I'm trying to say is that a working man on the streets may be dressed like a working man and give no thought to how he may look to others.

Chris.

[Freedomlover]

Amen, Chris.

[MacMullen]

I had pretty much the same experience living in Colorado, except that the people ahead of me paid for their groceries with food stamps, then used cash to buy lotto tickets.

So, if I'm reading this right, the majority of kilt wearers in Scotland are tourists?

[highlander_Daz]

to be honest in places like Glasgow or Edinburgh a large percentage are, tourists, or pipers , most weekends youll see the kilt for weddings and stuff, as you head further north you will see the Kilt worn casually more often, but yes a large percentage are tourists, which isnt such a bad thing, I think it has to do with the perception of Scotland by a lot of overseas visitors who are amazed by the fact that we dont live in castles and have televisions and Telephones- in fact we invented them!

[Robin]

Kilted in the Netherlands:

Is also abroad...well...not for me, but for the rest of you it's abroad

In general the Dutch are well educated and open minded (always the odd exception to the rule...). Most recognise the kilt, most love to see a man kilted.

The Dutch can be very outspoken...expect remarks and people staring at you, but don't worry...they like it. Our women are shameless creatures...enjoy!

The Dutch can also be conservative..."act normal is already weird enough", those conservatives are harmless...they love to mind their own affairs and nothing else...raising an eyebrow or a faint smile is already a major act of showing emotion.

You're in mortal danger when you stumble upon soccer hooligans, although they might like your "tribal" look...they've only 3 braincells..."good", "bad" and "beer" :rolleyes:

Our immigrants (most from Turkey and Morocco) will not understand the kilt, but that's okey...they think the natives are weird anyway (with reason ).

[Graham]

When I was in Scotland last July I'm sure all the locals just regarded me as a tourist, wearing a kilt because I was in Scotland.
I felt like screaming out "I always wear a kilt, even back home", but there was no point, so I just put it behind me and did my own thing.

I got a lot of tourists wanting to photograph me, I was probably the only kilted man they saw in Scotland.
I happily posed, figuring that if the Scots won't wear their kilt that God gave them, then I'd better lend a hand

[MACKAY]

... a lot of overseas visitors who are amazed by the fact that we dont live in castles and have televisions and Telephones ...

Whoa now! Televisions AND telephones ... next thing you will be telling me is that you have motor cars and everyone is building a garage onto the castle. ;)

B Mackay

[Kilted Stuart]

I don't mind being labeled as a tourist, I am. I have family in Scotland but still i'm visiting my ansestors homeland, i'm still a tourist. If i stick out like a sore thumb so be it. I can't go to the land of the kilt and wear jeans. I need to walk the land like I feel I should, kilted and smileing. I can't imagine Scotland any other way.

Kilted Stuart

[Colin]

Nothing wrong with being a tourist if that is what you are. I have always found that if you are showing respect for a city/countrie's culture and people the locals are very helpfuil and grateful that you are honoring them.

[Colin]

a lot of overseas visitors who are amazed by the fact that we dont live in castles and have televisions and Telephones- in fact we invented them!

Think how we feel when people think that as Canadians we all live in igloos, ice fish, and speak broken French, eh. Some people are amazed to find that Canada is not all covered in snow year round.