"Unauthorized" pictures??

[Rex_Tremende]

Yeah, I've been the subject of many a cell-phone photo.

I'm not sure if this is because I look good, weird, or out of place in their eye - probably a combination of all. Yes, it's bad manners, but no, I can't do anything about it except look my best when I'm aware it's happening. Once I asked to see the photo, just to see how I turned out (yeah, I'm vain).

Probably the strangest encounter I've had with a photo-bandit was at an ice cream counter. I had just finished a walk in the park after a enjoying a meal of spicy Indian food. I thought a little ice cream would douse the remaining embers on my palate. While I was considering the flavor-of-the-month, I became aware of a commotion behind me. A hobbledehoy rushes past me acting as though he's on some other mission, but I hear that tell-tale fake camera sound effect coming from the phone in his hand.

He immediately rushes out and shows the picture to his friends, who are standing outside the picture window. They cluster around the phone, and then look up through the window to see for themselves. Of course, they see me looking at them looking at me, and so they pretend to do something else.

In all the other situations where I spot the shutterbug, I usually have enough time to make eye contact and can give my tacet permission by smiling or straightening up a bit. They usually look a little guilty for having gotten caught, so maybe they understand what they did was impolite.

As I have been writing this, I've been trying to figure out my thoughts on the matter. I think most of us agree that on some level, we enjoy the attention that our kilts garner. This is just one form of attention, but because it is not communicated directly to us, it's hard to know whether that's positive or negative attention - I guess by default it's neutral.

Tom raises a valid concern, however, that you never know where that photo is going to show up. I'd like to think that given that we try to pay attention to how we dress and comport ourselves, it's unlikely it's going to end up in some unflattering light.

Here's how the rest of the story goes in my imagination: The photographer shows the photo to his or her friends as proof that people can wear a kilt in public without looking like they belong on a tin of shortbreads. Soon, someone will be getting a kilt for Christmas.

Regards,
Rex in media cards everywhere.

[Tattoo Bradley]

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Here's how the rest of the story goes in my imagination: The photographer shows the photo to his or her friends as proof that people can wear a kilt in public without looking like they belong on a tin of shortbreads. Soon, someone will be getting a kilt for Christmas.

Regards,
Rex in media cards everywhere.

That is basically how I try to see it in my head.

I realize there's nothing I can do about it. I just rather wondered what everyone elses take was on the scenario. Both in instances for me have been people with a good distane hiding behind other people or cash registers. I wouldn't doubt to get a runner (as Rocky or Rex did) some day.

[Riverkilt]

This olde bird has been known to ham it up.

My lady and I like to dance at an Old West type restaurant and bar with a dance floor and a live western band. She in jeans, me in a kilt.

Busloads of Japanese tourists come through our town and some will stop at the same Old West location and hang out to soak up the local culture. Every one of them has a camera or video cam.

They come to the edge of the dance floor to get shots of the kilted guy dancing with the lady in jeans at the cowboy bar. Yee Haa....that'll give them something to talk about when they're back home.

And hey, the local Navajos charge to have their photo taken...why not?

Ron

[The Supreme Canuck]

Heck, having my photo taken wouldn't bother me a bit. At least, not if the camera is pointed somewhere decent. There is one angle that I imagine would result in the photographer getting a black eye.

[GMan]

OK I admit it, I LOVE having my picture taken while Kilted. No nonsense and just plain pure fun.

[pbpersson]

Oh....well....yes, now that you mention it....I had forgotten.

Last weekend I was walking the sidewalks of Flagstaff at a pretty good rate of speed in my tan Utilikit original and I saw a guy ahead of me holding a camera sideways and pointing it right at me.

I looked around and.....it didn't seem as though there was anything else noteworthy or photo worthy. There was a train station across the street behind me. There was a couple to my left doing some window shopping....

So he snaps the picture, takes the camera from his face and gives me a funny grin like, "Yeah! I got you!" and then he literally runs around the corner!

By the time I got to where he was I looked around the corner and it was a courtyard of open restaurant patios and he was nowhere in site.

So....what was that all about???

Hey, I am out walking the streets, shopping malls, and grocery stores so people can see my kilt. I don't care if they take a picture as long as the camera isn't pointing UP my kilt!

[Tattoo Bradley]

Oh....well....yes, now that you mention it....I had forgotten.

Last weekend I was walking the sidewalks of Flagstaff at a pretty good rate of speed in my tan Utilikit original and I saw a guy ahead of me holding a camera sideways and pointing it right at me.

I looked around and.....it didn't seem as though there was anything else noteworthy or photo worthy. There was a train station across the street behind me. There was a couple to my left doing some window shopping....

So he snaps the picture, takes the camera from his face and gives me a funny grin like, "Yeah! I got you!" and then he literally runs around the corner!

By the time I got to where he was I looked around the corner and it was a courtyard of open restaurant patios and he was nowhere in site.

So....what was that all about???

Hey, I am out walking the streets, shopping malls, and grocery stores so people can see my kilt. I don't care if they take a picture as long as the camera isn't pointing UP my kilt!

Were you there for the Highland Games? I was there last weekend and the week before. I love Flagstaff. I'm rather suprised about the guy doing a photo "run-by" as there were kilties about EVERYWHERE due to the games.

[Retro Red]

I don't care if they take a picture as long as the camera isn't pointing UP my kilt!

That's pretty much my sentiment, too - and YES, once I did catch a middle-aged woman (definitely not a lady) trying to find the answer to 'The Question' with her camera at a wedding reception I was entertaining at. I had to firmly inform her that I only give private showings!

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