brutal first kilted outing

[Kilted Stuart]

I just recently got the "nice skirt" comment thrown at me by a passer by with his buddy at me while walking down a street in Kincardine Ont after a day at the highland games. I guess he didn't notice there was a games going on and the large amount of kilts walking aroung this Canadian Scottish community.

Because i'm a fairly big guy I don't usally get anyone saying too much so it cault me off guard. I was with my wife and she was wearing her CCK hip hugger mini kiltskirt.

I promptly asked him what he said, and he said (by now he's a distance down the street) "you heard me, I was talking to you not the lovley lady". I asked him calmly to return in front of me and repeat this comment to my face with or without his buddy. He wouldn't do it, I didn't think he would.
The only thing that came to me and was out of my mouth before I could think was," I'm going home with this lovley lady because of this kilt i'm wearing, who are you going home with, oh yea your buddy, have a nice day boys".
You can't make people understand but you can let the comment bounce off or you can try to educate them in one way or another. Most of the time they are just trying to impress someone else. I'm sure there is a reason they say these things from a distance.

If I see someone in funny attire I may have a chuckle but I certainly would not make them feel less of a person for wearing what they are wearing.
Most people are more mature than that but there is always going to be a few who aren't.

Kilted Stuart

[Hamish]

I'm sorry you had a bad day, and it's little consolation but we've all had them - especially in the early days of our kilting lives. The absolutely best thing is to totally ignore such morons - confronting them, 9 times out of 10, will only make matters worse. Just assume that they are not addressing you (maybe they're not!), and walk on, head held high.

After all these years, I would say that I very, very seldom receive any comments from strangers, complimentary or otherwise!

[TechBear]

I had a similar experience a few weeks ago.

I live on Seattle's Capitol Hill, an inner city neighborhood which is both the city's main gay district and an area that attracts a lot of street punks and street punk wanna-bes.

I had gone out to breakfast with some friends, wearing my olive green Utilikilt mocker. After breakfast, I did some grocery shopping and was on my way home with a full bag in each hand. While passing a group of punks, one kid made a loud comment along the lines of, "Only f----ts wear skirts!"

Immediately, several others in the group say in unison, "It's a kilt, you idiot!" As I walked on, I heard one say, in a somewhat threatening tone, "I have two of them. You calling me a f----t?"

A friend latter confirmed that the UK workman is a popular fashion statement in Seattle's goth and punk music scenes. :rolleyes:

[canawler]

Wow! I posted that message right before hitting the sack last night and was just now able to read the responses. I want to genuinely thank everyone for the supportive comments. I have always been a little self-conscious so it was kind of a big deal that I would wear something that would make myself stand out like a sore thumb. I have been into the whole car thing for about 20 years and never saw anyone wearing a kilt at a car show. This event brought in 43,000 people last year so I certainly gained maximum exposure. Overall, I am proud of myself for wearing what I wanted to wear regardless of others' opinions. I will definitely be calling Rocky for an additional kilt.

Again, a heartfelt thank everybody.

[pbpersson]

Immediately, several others in the group say in unison, "It's a kilt, you idiot!" As I walked on, I heard one say, in a somewhat threatening tone, "I have two of them. You calling me a f----t?"

Oh...that is just TOO funny!

[RCallan]

When ever anyone says anything negative about my kilt...I just turn them and loudly state ...... either....."YOUR just GREEEEEEEEEEEN with ENVY"

Or

"BLOWWWWWW MEEEeeeeee ...... a kiss if you love me!"

Makes me laugh and always keeps the fools at bay.

[UmAnOnion]

I'm sorry you had a bad day, and it's little consolation but we've all had them - especially in the early days of our kilting lives. The absolutely best thing is to totally ignore such morons - confronting them, 9 times out of 10, will only make matters worse. Just assume that they are not addressing you (maybe they're not!), and walk on, head held high.

After all these years, I would say that I very, very seldom receive any comments from strangers, complimentary or otherwise!

I side with Hamish on this one.... a sudden bout of selective hearing goes a long way in situations like this - just makes the shouter look like a fool & deprives him of the attention he (or she) is so desperately craving.
Besides if you are comfortable in your masculinity who gives a flying fig what somebody else says about you or to you - especially if they arent brave enough to say it to your face.

side note to Hamish: you dont get many comments anymore because they are all blinded by your beauty and brilliance and are too gob-smacked to come up with the right words of adoration and appreciation

[Streetcar]

The last negative comment I got, I looked the guy in the eye and with a sarcastic tone said, "Oh darn. A random stranger doesn't approve of what I'm wearing. I guess I'll have to find a way to live with that."

Really, it's the best attitude to take (in my opinion). I don't give two figs for what some passing idiot thinks.

As far as yelling from the the safety of a fleeing vehicle - it's not even worth the time to look up.

Have faith, maintain your confidence and enjoy your freedom!

[morrison]

...reactions wearing the kilt to a large car show. . .

I think it may have been a more fortunate Initial Public Appearance for you my friend Canawler. The larger the crowds, the greater the likelihood of a cascade of commentary. In your instance that commentary, the negative, deprecatory epithets, came from some whom are apt to be less confident with their own self images. Therefore they'll attempt to drag down another who is apparently in a comfort zone far away from them. Their current realm of nearly living doesn't include people whose imagery (appearance) is not on the horizon of their own limited, narrow comfort levels. We, (you and I and others willing to live alive) continue expanding our personal comfort zones and seeking wider horizons for the masses to scoff at while sitting in their little dung puddles.

One more "bravo" for the free man! Living for the life of freedom.

[Kilted KT]

welcome to the rabble!

don't worry about the comments. Unless they are truly offensive, ignore them. The really bad ones ( about mom, or your significant other ) can be dealt with in any way you want. I've read a few posts here where someone was commenting negatively about the kilt, and one of their friends grabs them quickly and tells them "He's scottish..they kill people for saying that" or something of the sort.

It's your kilt..enjoy it!