So have you ever been afraid to wear the kilt.

[KFCarter]

I think it's important to keep a distinction between acknowledging fear and leading a fearful life.

The sensation of fear is wired into us and helped us survive as a species. If you feel it, you should examine why; there might be a good reason. But you should never give your life over to it. IMHO, that would be no life.

On the other hand, walking down a street in a kilt, now that's LIFE!

[Snowbear]

It also might have to do with attitude. If you wear the kilt proud and tall, then you should'nt fear anything. Proud, kilted persons get a lot of respect when doing it correctley. Just like an army officer in full outfit. Looks different, but it sets people in respect the way you wear it.

[The Barry]

I was apprehensive at first. Kilt nights and the like helped me out greatly. Now I bound out of the house with my head held high, very much knowing how powerful the kilt is!

[sathor]

I mentioned to mom and sister that I had every intention of dawning the kilt and going to see my old high schol football team play ball. After a momentary pause mom says that she wishes that I not do that because se says that people get jumped for no reason. Basically she thinks that because I wear a kilt out in public that a group of people will just run up and beat the crap out of me. This is not the first time this comment has been made by her. I know she worries as a mother. But is this fear of her's waranted.

Have any of the Rabble ever been in situations where they felt threatened.

Is this a problem around the world.

Slaine,
TKR

I would dare say, if you did get jumped for wearing a kilt, the next game would likely be a kilt night with a lot of kilted people hunting them down, depending on where.

[turpin]

KR, I've been wearing my kilts in Paducah for a year now with no issues. I make monthly trips there. Downtown, out at Walmart, Kevil, LaCenter, PGDP, Harrah's Casino. No issues - Although I do feel a bit conspicuous in Walmart.

[bikeolounger]

I've not taken the time to read all six pages of responses, yet. I expect I will eventually.

My fiance's father takes several family members to the second-tier NASCAR series race held at a track up the road from us (about a forty-minute drive, save for race day traffic). He has suggested that my kilt may not be a good idea in that venue, simply because of the inebriated race fans and their (presumably) unfortunate attitudes.

[Cavebear58]

It also might have to do with attitude. If you wear the kilt proud and tall, then you should'nt fear anything. Proud, kilted persons get a lot of respect when doing it correctley. Just like an army officer in full outfit. Looks different, but it sets people in respect the way you wear it.

Yes, I still feel unsure about wearing it around our little village. Most of the folks are very friendly and civilised, but there's a few prats too, who wouldn't understand, wouldn't try to find out, and would probably make life difficult in silly ways in the future. Not because of the kilt, per se, but because it would reinforce in their minds that I am different from them.

I suspect that 'difference' is the important aspect of this. Whenever I have encountered hassle in the street, it has usually been from a handful of kids who are struggling to know who they are. They don't feel comfortable at home and so try to identify with a small gang - to reinforce this sense of identity they then pick on others who are different to them.

Soon after I had renewed my interest in kilt wearing (like Jock Scot I was fortunate to have been brought up wearing one) I was driving through Birmingham (UK). The traffic was appalling and I was crawling through the suburbs - firstly, Sikh territory, then Muslim, and finally a Hindu area. I was struck by the number of these folks who were wearing traditionally inspired clothing as they went about their normal business.

Since then I have had a lot of respect for how they might feel going into white, Anglo Saxon, areas. No wonder our National Trust have a job attracting people from the more diverse dimensions of our community to their properties.

Interesting thread.
Cheers,
Graham.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

The problem faced by the NT is a lack of cultural affinity in many of the "minority" communities. It generally takes about three generations to become assimilated into a host culture. Those who have only recently arrived in a new country with a different culture are usually more concerned in keeping their own culture alive, and passing it on to their children, than they are in visiting Anne Hathaway's cottage, Fyvie Castle, or the Woodrow Wilson birth place. The grandchildren of these people, who are totally comfortable in the national culture and see themselves as a part of that culture, generally tend to have the same interest in visiting NT sites as the rest of the population.

[sathor]

"Sweetheart," I responded, "if I'm crazy enough to wear this thing in here, I'm probably crazy enough to do a lot of things if provoked."

The smile left his face. He slowly stepped back and walked back to his table where his girlfriend gave him the death ray eyes, said, "You're pathetic," and dragged him out of the bar. His buddy even apologized and thanked me for not "kicking his a**."

Behold, the other power of the kilt.

I got my neighbor with the bagpipes 'under the kilt' retort, he had it coming. He is in the fringe group that borders on insecurity.

[Bigkahuna]

I've not taken the time to read all six pages of responses, yet. I expect I will eventually.

My fiance's father takes several family members to the second-tier NASCAR series race held at a track up the road from us (about a forty-minute drive, save for race day traffic). He has suggested that my kilt may not be a good idea in that venue, simply because of the inebriated race fans and their (presumably) unfortunate attitudes.

Darn!!!! and I really was looking forward to that NASCAR Tartan!