Offended in Houston

**Tattoo Bradley** · 26th September 07, 09:20 PM

Ok, so I've got pretty thick skin. You kind of have to when you have 1.5" wooden chunks in your lobes and tattoos around your entire neck and under your chin. It comes with the territory.

BUT, today I was offended. Truly offended.

I've been in Houston (Sugarland actually) all week and in through next week. I'm doing advanced laboratory training for work. Well, the facility my course is held is FULL of people from every country imaginable. My company prides itself on this.

My pre-school assignment was to prepare a 10-15 minute powerpoint on my facility's operations. I made a basic presentation and felt it went well. One of my slides was the basic "about me" sort of thing. At the bottom I listed my hobbies, one being the Great Highland Bagpipes. That was Monday. Today I'm eating lunch with the head guy for this facility and he asks about the bagpipes. Quickly everyone at the table is chiming in with questions of their own. I was more than happy to answer them. He mentions there used to be a fellow here who, on his lunch hour, would play the bagpipes outside in the court yard. But, he goes on to explain he was forced to stop as some people were complaining about the noise. Easy enough, I enquired no further.

Well, there was an Indonesian girl at our table who chimes in with "yeah, the bagpipes didn't bother me. But, I was disturbed at the fact he wore a skirt. What's it called? That scottish man skirt thing?..." At first I didn't think too much of it. Like I mentioned, I've got thick skin. We've all heard the skirt thing... no big deal. "Hi, you're an idiot, have a nice ignorant life." But, the more I thought about it, the madder it made me. I almost feel like she was making a direct crack at me. She knew I was a learning bagpiper. What are the chances that I don't wear a kilt AT LEAST for bagpiping??

On top of all that, this company prides itself on National Diversity. What's the traditional male garment in Indonesia? It's gotta be something unbifurcated. Some sort of Sarong type thing. Man, I'm steamed. Guess what I brought with me?

My USAK Gunn, hose, Oconee belt, and nightstalker sporran. This course involves zero actual laboratory exposure, and is ALL in the class room. So, no OSHA issues. I think I'm going to wear it on Friday for my final presentation. I dare her to say somehing. She'll catch a case if she does.

**Zardoz** · 26th September 07, 09:28 PM

How long are you in town?

**pdcorlis** · 26th September 07, 09:59 PM

In the words of Mister T "I pity the fool..."

**Dirk Skene** · 26th September 07, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by Tattoobradley

Ok, so I've got pretty thick skin...................FULL of people from every country imaginable. My company prides itself on this....

Well, there was an Indonesian girl at our table who chimes in with "yeah, the bagpipes didn't bother me. But, I was disturbed at the fact he wore a skirt. What's it called? That scottish man skirt thing?...".....................................Wha t's the traditional male garment in Indonesia? ....Sorong type thing. Man, I'm steamed. Guess what I brought with me? ...I think I'm going to wear it on Friday for my final presentation. I dare her to say somehing............

My only advise young fellow (and you KNOW I respect you) is do not act any differently at all. Especially towards the igonorat

This should bring your point home loud & clear.

**jordanjm** · 26th September 07, 10:45 PM

I would suggest that if you are going to wear a kilt around her that you be EXTRA nice to her.

**Troy** · 26th September 07, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by Tattoobradley

Well, there was an Indonesian girl at our table who chimes in with "yeah, the bagpipes didn't bother me. But, I was disturbed at the fact he wore a skirt. What's it called? That scottish man skirt thing?..."

People are funny animals, aren't they? Many people expect their own customs/religions/traditions to be accepted by everyone around them (and that's quite a reasonable expectation, I believe), and woe betide anybody who makes even the slightest criticism - they get branded as ignorant, uneducated at best, racist and bigoted at worst! Yet some people, such as the young lady you encountered, seem to think it is OK to let everyone know that she was "disturbed" by, of all things, a bloody article of clothing!

Stick to your guns (or should that be Gunn?) my friend - wear you kilt, if you wish, and deal with any adverse reaction from this young woman with the dignity and aplomb of a true kilted gentleman!

Regards,

Troy

**KiltedKop45** · 26th September 07, 11:33 PM

Ah!! , My Henderson Cousin. It's odd how some can be diverse only to what They want to be diverse to. I somehow wonder just what this young lady would do if someone made a crude remark about her family heritage?????
I also feel that it is just human nature and human insecurity to make such remarks about things that are not widely understood.
I applaud you ,Cousin for keeping your head about you and not blowing up at her.

Wear your Gunn with Pride while at the same time I'm sure she will feel very small

and probably think next time before opening her Big mouth.

Meanwhile , Enjoy TEXAS!!!

**James MacMillan** · 26th September 07, 11:38 PM

Take a deep breath!

Count to ten!

Do it again.

This to will pass.

The world is full of ignorant people. Don't let them bring you down!

**cacunn** · 27th September 07, 03:39 AM

To play the devils advocate - having had a number of senior moments where I a word,that I use almost daily, will not come to mind, let ask this question. If you could not remember or never knew the proper name for the kilt how would you describe it?

I find it hard to believe that in this day and age that someone would not have heard of a kilt, on the other hand, if you don't use the word often it may come come to mind when you need it.

There are ways to handle episodes of CRS (Can't Remember Stuff) that are better than what has been reported here. Assuming the "lady" was in pants just write it off to lack of air flow to her brain, since she obliviously had her head up her ........

**cessna152towser** · 27th September 07, 03:43 AM

I wouldn't let it bother me. I'd just say nothing, act normally and treat her normally and above all continue to wear that kilt.
Cultural diversity is a thing we must all accept. At best the lady didn't know the name for a kilt so she called it a skirt; at worst she's lacking in social skills.
As she's an Indonesian living in America there is every likelihood she could have been bought as a bride by some ageing western gentleman - a practice which some people may consider abhorrent and akin to prostitution - but in an age of multicultural diversity it is accepted that poor families in Indonesia often sell their daughters into marriage but we wouldn't ask her if that was her own situation nor we wouldn't treat her any differently from a bride of western birth.