Positive Re-enforcement

[xman]

Not everyone is lucky enough to live in a community that is accepting of the kilt. Those in more challenging environments still get some praises from time to time and those are all the sweeter.

I thought it might be nice to have a running thread where people can share the encouraging comments. I'll go first:

I was playing at the park with my son this morning and a lady commented "I love your kilt. It must be so nice to wear in this weather". Then on the way home we stopped into the pet store for some cat food and the cashier offered, "I gotta say I love the kilt". I simply thanked and agreed with them both.

Finally, while shopping for dinner a tall and beautiful brunette did a double take on me and flashed a killer smile.

X

[MacBean]

One of the first times I went out on the town (in winter), as we entered a small restaurant-bar, someone looked up at me and started clapping. He was so happy to see someone kilted.

Of course, as I left, another person who had entered later, half-drunk, asked me where my bagpipes were.

[Mike in Dayton]

Walked into a restaurant last night. As I came in the front door another customer was leaving. He asked "where are your bagpipes?" I told him I left it at home because it was too hard to eat dinner holding the pipes under my arm. This is the place where there are three waitresses that expect me to wear the kilt when I come in. After dinner I went to a local classic cruise in. On Friday nights a number of classic cars are put on display in the parking lot of a shopping center. The kilt is always good for generating conversation that would have otherwise would never occur. One lady asked if kilts were becoming more popular. I assume she must have seen others recently. I must have talked to her for a half hour. That conversation would have never taken place without the kilt. I have found the tartan kilt generates more comments then the contemporary kilt. Last night I had on a USAKilt semi-traditional in Holyrood tartan worn more casually.

The only negative was a group of 20 something boys, unsure about their masculinity, must have felt uneasy around their girl friends. They gave out a few cat calls which I ignored.

Mike

[Richard]

I've had some great comments from all sorts of people, but the negative ones always stick out
a few Christmases ago I was walking up to church and a little girl at her bedroom window shouted "Mum come and look" and both stared like I was from another planet, I'm about 400 miles away from Scotland.
Another time a group of 13- 15 year olds came towards me and one said you look funny in that, I said you would look funny with my boot stuck out of your bottom.
A small girl with her mum asked me "why are you wearing a kilt" I replyed trying to keep a stright look on my face "mini skirt in the wash".
As I live in a small village and being the only one as far as I know who wears a kilt it is a bit of a novelty for some people, but one thing I have noticed most people will say good morning/afternoon were as if I was wearing say shorts/pants they wouldn't say anything

[xman]

There might be some misunderstanding here. I meant for this thread to share only the supportive comments heard by the unwashed masses to being kilted. Let's leave those challenging and disparaging words for another thread.

[English Bloke]

I'm quite known for wearing the kilt in my bit of Lancashire it seems. Recently I overheard two women I've never seen before passing comment as I walked by.

"I've seen him in it a few times"
"Why's he wearing it?"
"Dunno, he's not even Scottish"
"Weirdo!"

My reputation preceeds me obviously and it's water off a duck's back to me but sometimes it good to just shake up someone's day.

[Inchessi]

There is this one older woman at the church I attend. She always seemed to ignore me. I never gave it a second thought, mainly because of something I read in "So, You're Going to Wear a Kilt" I never said anything to anyone. In honor of the Late Great Elvis (E.P. be with you!) I wore my Black Watch with a Black and Red Elvis shirt. I did not buy the Blue Suede shoes while at Lansky's, though I REALLY wanted them. I will have to take a picture of the outfit.

She turned and said that I looked very nice today. You could have knocked me over with a feather.

I also posted a while back about topping off my gas tank in a small town, and this guy just said, "Cool!"

[Lyle1]

I was walking in a small town near Grandfather Mountain, NC, and I had a few nice comments about my kilt and queries about the tartan (Stewart Black). I caught the attention of a group of teenagers who played it cool as we passed one another, then I heard one young man forcefully say, "Well, I think it's cool!"

[MacBean]

I was walking in a small town near Grandfather Mountain, NC, and I had a few nice comments about my kilt and queries about the tartan (Stewart Black). I caught the attention of a group of teenagers who played it cool as we passed one another, then I heard one young man forcefully say, "Well, I think it's cool!"

That's what I thought when twin brothers came to my bording school in Sussex and wore the kilt to church.

[Santa Wally]

I got my first kilt in March 2009, I've had so many positive responses, I now have five kilts. It is a great conversation starter with folks who tell me of their family names, connections with Scotland and or trips there.

My second kilt was a made to measure USA Casual (Stewart Royal, The tartan of my Alma Mater, Edinboro University). I wore it in the Homecoming Parade last October and my picture appeared in the university's newspaper. I had that kilt made to be sure of my measurements before ordering my wool Clan Claus kilt.

In May I ordered two more USA Casuals that I wear almost daily. I have folks who see me in a store, mall or restaurant ask if there is a reason I'm wearing a kilt today. My answer, "because it's Friday" (or whatever day it is) and then I add, " and the kilt is comfortable". I may then say what tartan it is and why I'm wearing it (family tartan, alma mater tartan or Isle of Skye).

If I'm not wearing a kilt, folks who know me ask, "where's your kilt?"