Thoughts experieces and why don't more men wear kilts??

[cessna152towser]

I am surprised you did not see a lot more kilts being worn in Scotland. I saw lots of kilts last Saturday, not just at Bathgate where there were Highland Games being held, but there were also plenty of kilts out and about in Edinburgh when I passed through en route to and from the games.

[davedove]

Like country/cowboy wear?

Then you can say you were kilted when kilted wasn't kool.

I Was Kilted When Kilted Wasn't Cool
(with apologies to Barbara Mandrell)

I remember wearin' full mask sporrans and hand-knit hose
Even when they weren't in style
I remember talkin’ about clans and tartan
And wearing my Argyle
And I was wearin’ clothes up to my waist
When all of my friends were wearin’ their pants down to their butts
I was Kilted, when Kilted wasn't cool

I was Kilted, when Kilted wasn't cool
I was Kilted, with my flashes and sgian dubh
I still act, and look the same
What you see ain't nothin' new
I was Kilted, when Kilted wasn't cool

I remember drivin' to the market, getting’ out
And people would all watch
I remember when no one was lookin'
I was nibblin' haggis with my Scotch
I took a lot of kiddin'
'Cause I never did fit in
Now look at everybody tryin' to be what I was then
I was Kilted, when Kilted wasn't cool

I was Kilted, when Kilted wasn't cool
I was Kilted, with my flashes and sgian dubh
I still act, and look the same
What you see ain't nothin' new
I was Kilted, when Kilted wasn't cool

They call us highland rebels
For stickin' to our roots
I'm just glad we're in a country
Where we're all free to choose
I was Kilted, when Kilted wasn't cool
Yeah, I was Kilted, when Kilted wasn't cool

[budd4766]

When I got into horses and all things "western", I felt weird being the only guy that wore a cowboy hat in to the office...but after those first few days of feeling weird, (like the spotlight's on you), everybody came to expect it. I think it's the, maybe not "fear", but the feeling of standing out that gets some guys...I know it does me sometime.

I've yet to buy my first kilt. (Made myself do the diet thing and the kilt is the reward....Just got 10lbs to go, btw). And I suspect I'll go through that stage of apprehension when I do start wearing one regularly. Having a Scottish name and a family tartan helps with the reason for wearing one, I suppose, but it's still "different" from the norm, and I suspect it will take some getting used too. Some guys probably just don't want to do that.

[Nighthawk]

Why don't more men wear kilts? I would say probably because they think you have to be Scottish to do so. At least that could explain things here in the US.

That is a part of it. It is only, in my experience, a small part though. The biggest problem, here in the States, is that we live in a society that is still very much influenced by the Puritans. We also live in a very homophobic society. The kilt kinda looks like a skirt, and looks nothing at all like pants, so it therefore is effeminate. Men wear pants- peiod. I had a guy tell me that once. I looked at his rather attractive jean-wearing girlfriend and said "I'm sorry, sir- I mistook you for a woman!" She thought that was hilarious- the guy got just got red-faced mad and cursed at me as I walked away withy a grin on my face. The real problem is that we as a society in the States have a very closed minded attitude. If something doesn't fit in with our narrow minded view of what is socially acceptable, then it is a problem. Is there a good scientiffic, social, or psychological reason not to allow gay marriage for example? No, there is not. The reason gays are not allowed to marry is because one group of people wouldn't don't like it. There is this attitude about my way of doing things. My way is the right way. If you have a different way of doing things, then I have leave to force my views on you. (Oh yeah- and don't you dare try to force yours on me!) We have a fear of ridicule, we have a fear of breaking convention- because we have been conditioned to believe that the majority is correct. The Backstreet Boys sold 45 million copies of their last album- therefore, it is quality music. The Denver Symphony has never charted with their CD releases- this means that the Backstreet Boys album Millenium is better than the Mozart released by the symphony. We as a species need to be led, to be told what to do- it's much easier to be a part of the herd than to run with the pack. Personally, I see us as the pack- as I don't want us to become the herd. I like that not a lot of men have the stones to strap on a kilt. People who have the guts to buck the norm stand out, and those are the people I like to be around. How could I identify a rabble if everyone looked like us?

[Nighthawk]

When I got into horses and all things "western", I felt weird being the only guy that wore a cowboy hat in to the office...but after those first few days of feeling weird, (like the spotlight's on you), everybody came to expect it. I think it's the, maybe not "fear", but the feeling of standing out that gets some guys...I know it does me sometime.

I've yet to buy my first kilt. (Made myself do the diet thing and the kilt is the reward....Just got 10lbs to go, btw). And I suspect I'll go through that stage of apprehension when I do start wearing one regularly. Having a Scottish name and a family tartan helps with the reason for wearing one, I suppose, but it's still "different" from the norm, and I suspect it will take some getting used too. Some guys probably just don't want to do that.

I hadn't read this before I posted! This is the social conditioning I'm talkng about. The fact that you are trying to break it is meritorious. Hats off to you!!

[Jaggy thistle]

There are a good number of us in Scotland who wear the kilt daily I have done for many years and could count on one hand the negative comments the compliments on the other hand are many go for it all you men that own a kilt wear it with pride

[IrishGodfather]

I think in the United States it's about perception. My friends have called it odd, wierd, a skirt, a dress, etc. But when they al saw me wear it proudly and with confidence they treated me with respect.

I mean my buddies still give me heck, but they respect me for my convictions and how I carry myselfin a kilt.

I think our country just needs to change its perception and fear of a that isn't the "norm".

-Chris

[mwhities]

The "norm" is what scares me. Why do you think things are invented? People stray away from the norm and go beyond that. Otherwise there wouldn't be any new inventions.

Michael

[Lady M]

Well said, Nighthawk!

[IrishGodfather]

Personally, I see us as the pack- as I don't want us to become the herd. I like that not a lot of men have the stones to strap on a kilt. People who have the guts to buck the norm stand out, and those are the people I like to be around. How could I identify a rabble if everyone looked like us?

Well said bro!!! I totally agree...I see the kilt as a tough man's garmet, and like our ancestors we're al rebeling against convention and being ourselves, something America used to pride itself on, but lately we've all become sheep...

KILT ON!!!!!