Offended in Houston

**Chef** · 27th September 07, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by Troy

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!

Too true. I have run into that exact thing on the subway. An Hasidic gentleman, in his traditional garb, asked me, "What's with the costume?". I replied that it was a kilt not a costume, probably a slightly surly tone, but that's all I said. He later apologised, remarking that to some what he wears is unusual. But it was that initial reaction to seeing the kilt that got me. If I had made his remark to him, I'm sure I would have received worse than my response to him.

Originally Posted by demobud

Could she possibly have been trying to make a joke?

A good possibility or maybe she was flirting.

**McG** · 27th September 07, 09:39 AM

Hing i there big yin!!!!
Never been insulted obviously, here in Scotland, hae a few encouters abroad but a normally wiggle ma bare a** as us jocks are renowned fer!!

**Alan H** · 27th September 07, 10:28 AM

Theer are a zillion possible explanations, here. One thin gis likely, she probably never exchanged two words with the piper that she'd seen.

But now she's talked to you, face to face. That makes you "personal". So when you wer your kilt to your next presentation, she will be able to relate to you as a person, and I bet that will change her attitude rather quickly.

**rollerboy_1979** · 27th September 07, 10:45 AM

To call her "ignorant" is to suggest that she is lacking in education, in this case, she was simply stating an opinion that none of us agree with. I suppose she's entitled to it, but you now have an opportunity to show her how attractive and masculine a kilt really is. As soon as she sees you in yours, she'll flash back to the rather insulting remark she made and she may just apologize. Don't hold your breath, but stranger things have happened. Who knows, this may be the start of a beautiful friendship. Use the kilt to your advantage on Friday. Kilt on!

**Graywolf** · 27th September 07, 10:58 AM

I agree with MacMillan. We are not talking about she insulted you. You were offended by what she said. Now there are two ways to approach this - you can let her questions/statements offend you - which means you are allowing her to control your emotions , or you decide you control them. I get plenty of comments - I let most slide. In an organization I belong to, they generally refer to my kilt as a "man skirt" and my sporran as a "man purse". I correct them, but it is now a game to get a rise out of me. I won't take the bait. Eventually, they will come around.

**GreenDragon** · 27th September 07, 11:04 AM

did a little investigating ...

http://indonesia.elga.net.id/indoway/clothing.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarong

**Coemgen** · 27th September 07, 01:35 PM

Well, to join the choir, I'd say to wear your kilt, and demonstrate how quite different a man in a kilt is from a man in a skirt.

**Tattoo Bradley** · 27th September 07, 04:48 PM

Wow. This thread's really taken on a head hasn't it? Firstly, I'll clear up something I thought was already clear. I was NOT bothered by the fact she referred to it as a skirt. (Rollerboy: the fact that she did refer to it as such shows ignorance.) What offended me was the fact she asserted her "distubance" with it, when it was clearly obvious I wore a kilt. So, I took that as a direct insult. She doesn't know me, so I highly doubt she was making a joke. Perhaps she didn't think the whole situation through. Who knows. I'm over it now. Oh, and as Bill pointed out, she is FAR FROM uneducated. She works for the company in the main laboratory here. She's probably packing around a Master's Degree. She certainly didn't come here on the arm of an "aging Western Gentleman." She's here because she has something to offer, apparently. I've opted to not wear my kilt tomorrow. For completely unrelated reasons. Beside that I will most likely not encounter her. So, no big deal. Thanks for all the posts gang.

**Big Homestead** · 27th September 07, 05:02 PM

I'm a loud mouth so I guess I would have chimed up. Maybe something along the lines of....

"Yeah, be offended by it. The Romans defeated everybody in a man skirt.....then the Scots, and the Welsh, and the Cornish. By the way, Keep making fun of my fore fathers, I'm sure nobody at this plant loved brave heart, or Rob Roy, or Gladiator, or 300....because they were all offended. Say, pay no mind to the military of the USA or Canada, they have tartans too...and their all jerks out to offend people."

Ok, ok....I wouldn't say that....but I would say something. Probly more along the lines of....
"Everybody has their likes and dislikes I guess."

Cheers

**ccga3359** · 27th September 07, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by Big Homestead

I'm a loud mouth so I guess I would have chimed up. Maybe something along the lines of....

"Yeah, be offended by it. The Romans defeated everybody in a man skirt.....then the Scots, and the Welsh, and the Cornish. By the way, Keep making fun of my fore fathers, I'm sure nobody at this plant loved brave heart, or Rob Roy, or Gladiator, or 300....because they were all offended. Say, pay no mind to the military of the USA or Canada, they have tartans too...and their all jerks out to offend people."

Ok, ok....I wouldn't say that....but I would say something. Probly more along the lines of....
"Everybody has their likes and dislikes I guess."

Cheers

Oh crap don't mention Braveheart here!