Darn Stereotypes

**Riverkilt** · 2nd February 10, 09:57 PM

Sounds like my little town when I first kilted up. Stay kilted Marine. It'll pass. Know that you did get some minds to thinking twice...

"Normal" is only a setting on a clothes dryer. You're doin' some good somehow, someway. Heck, I wouldn't have been kilted if someone hadn't been brave enough to wear a Utilikilt Workman's were I could see it and want one too.

**Dixiecat** · 3rd February 10, 06:26 AM

an occasional shout of give us a flash!! is the only negative comment I have heard

That's negative? Sounds more like construction site humour. I think it was actually a compliment!

**The Guy in the Kilt at UC** · 3rd February 10, 07:06 AM

It seems to me that in small towns, negative comments are directed to everyone other than the subject. And that the opposite is true for large towns (usually louder and perhaps from a moving vehicle). I think the anonymity provided by living in a large population area affects people's inhibition.

**Tobus** · 3rd February 10, 08:27 AM

I think the anonymity provided by living in a large population area affects people's inhibition.

Yes. This anonymity not only leads to more general rudeness, but higher crime rates and all manner of social ills. It's why I choose not to live in town. People just weren't meant to live on top of each other like that, in a society where they don't know each other. It goes against our tribal (clan) nature.

**Inchessi** · 3rd February 10, 05:15 PM

I have failed to articulate the crux of my outing.

If you are going to wear a kilt in my beloved United States of America, then you will get heckled. Don't get a big head, it has nothing to do with you. I used to wear "Clam Diggers" while living on the East Coast, I was heckled when I moved to California. I started to wear very Bright "Jams" with orange Chucks. When I moved to Colorado, I was again Heckled. I have found great comfort in the Kilt, and now I can be heckled everywhere.

I, me personally, was stereotyping the small town worker. I was inferring that I expected him or her to be close minded and intolerant of any style or genre that does not fit into their "Norm." I described this incident as it happened, choosing words that would push the reader into a mental picture and specific mindset.

I related this incident to show that I was pleasantly surprised.

I was also stereotyping the larger "Open-Minded" town, their words. I was greatly disappointed. It is a University town, and I often over estimate their tolerance and acceptance to foreign presentations. It is also the main University where people go when they can not get into Purdue. In the interest of full disclosure, I went to Purdue because I wasn't smart enough to go to Rose-Hulman.

The elusive point I was poorly trying to make is that we can decide how a cohort is going to act based on past experiences and poor information. This does not mean that they will fall neatly into predictability. Mainly, I thought the entire day was kind of humorous. For those in the military, if you can become a "Shellback" nobody is ever going to be able to insult you with mere catcalls.

**Howard Clark** · 3rd February 10, 05:59 PM

I also enjoy the humour of it, and indeed that is kind of the point at some level. I especially enjoy the conversations that get a little deeper, so I can upset a couple more stereotypes.

Good for you, and your sense of humour !

And Ron, I respectfully disagree with your definition of normal. Mine is this: "Normal people are only the ones you don't know well."

**Jack Daw** · 3rd February 10, 07:33 PM

The only time I got a derogatory comment about wearing the kilt, was a remark made under the breath by an elderly man in a grocery store in a small town in which a Highland games was held.

**fluter** · 4th February 10, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by Inchessi

It is a University town, ... where people go when they can not get into Purdue.

Oh, thaaaat town.

I was wondering. Having lived there (long ago), I can well imagine that it still has some of the \begin{stereotype} "small-town" characteristics \end{stereotype} I remember. Mostly, I remember 'em fondly.

Indeed, one of its attractions for me was easy access to rural pursuits. But as a Northwestern graduate, you can imagine what I wish for both your houses.

**Woodsman** · 4th February 10, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by denmcdough

Stereotyping is what we all do. That's a part of being human. But, when we take our prejudices, bigotry, racism, and then act upon it, like rude remarks, violence, etc., then this become the problem.

Much of what we here against kilt wearing stems from ignorance. It's what 'they' become use to, and if they're not use to seeing kilts, then we, the kilted, must be considered weird in their eyes. People gravitate toward like minded people, and then judge them according to their own standards. They have no reason to go out of their comfort zone to get to know you, or to understand where you're coming from.

Groups will put themselves at the center of the universe and accept that their views are all important, and that the world revolves around them and their views. So, the further you, or your group, is from me, the weirder you must be. They can not associate with anyone (kilt wearers) different than themselves. It's out of their realm. Thus, rude remarks.

What to do? Keep on walkin' with kilted pride!!!

I find that since I started wearing a kilt I am much more open minded towards other people than I was before. I try not to judge others by what they wear or how they look -clothing, jewelry (piercings), tattoos, etc. I especially avoid criticisms of what others decide to wear. We're all different and we should respect those differences, enjoy those differences and enjoy the variety life has to offer.