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[fluter]

Panache has the most "adult" response---thanks for prompting reflection on my part! Cloves, excellent point (DFTT chortle, we should make a T-shirt).

Glen, your answer is fine if you've already sent it.

Even those of us who've been doing the computer-thing a couple of decades can miss the ambiguities in what we type. I believe that physically writing something slows me down enough to think about the reader's reaction. Printing a document and re-reading it does somewhat the same thing.

Meanwhile, more useless fantasy-replies

*** Grown-ups call it a kilt. It seems that you're teasing, so I'll let that go. You're probably teasing because you're jealous of my legs, so I'll take it as a compliment.

*** There are a number of ways this conversation could go, most of them disastrous.

[a great many responses to kilt-questions could start this way]

You probably didn't think about how ambiguous your message is, when it's printed baldly on the screen. It would help if I could see your face:

If you're smiling a certain way, I'd take it as a compliment. If you're smirking in a certain way, I'd take it as good natured teasing, and reply in kind. If you're smirking in a certain other way, I'd take it as intentionally insulting, and I'd reply accordingly. If you're recoiling in horror, I'd try to give you one (1) thoughtful and respectful reply; then let it go.

[sirdaniel1975]

My reply would have gone like this:

It's a kilt.

Dan

PS Where on earth were you in the Spring of 1995... Braveheart... Rob Roy...

[Riverkilt]

How about,

"Yes, all is going well. As you noticed, my balls made parole."

Ron