Do they just want to talk to you?

[kiltedRTR]

I get mixed repsonses also. I had a stranger tell me I should be "free-ballin'" the other day and i decided to just walk on and not tell him its called regimental. I ended up carrying on a good conversation with an older lady who did not once mention my kilt, in fact, I was the one who started the conversation.
And the best reactions came from the sorority girls and drunk law students in the homecoming parade.

[JerseyLawyer]

Do you have a version that says, "Yes, I do play the bagpipes"?

[troxel87]

It does seem that here in Maryland, I'm not asked much about wearing it, just looks and nods... I did have a younger lady at the grocery store ask me where I got "those CUTE socks with the tassels sewn in to them", referring to the wool hose and garter ties. I had to explain to her how they work and why they're there.

It might be too risque, but I'll risk it:

I do get "the question" relatively often, and most times it goes either "On a good day, lipstick." Or "For a dollar I'll tell ya, for five I'll show ya, and for ten you can find out for yourself!" Most just walk away or smile uncomfortably.

[LeeAnne]

Well people are right to say it isn't a big deal in Scotland. The key is not to go to the tourist areas where it will get remarked on. Living in Scotland I can say that the only people who ever remark on it are tourists. I guarantee if you go somewhere like Edinburgh away from the tourist spots nobody will say anything, at least they won't start off a conversation about it. It's just not that big a deal to see a man in a kilt. During big sporting occasions (e.g. international rugby) about 50% of males will be kilted.

The only Scottish people who ever remark on it tend to be female and a bit drunk. We were heading to the train after a ceilidh in Dundee and a group of rather rowdy girls accosted my man (even though I was there). We thought nothing of it until we were undressing for bed and we found a 'University of Abertay Dundee' sticker on his butt!

[Jack Daw]

In the U.S. it may be more of a challenge to wear the kilt than in Scotland. But, over the past decade plus, I've had plenty of nice complements, and only 3 unfavorables - from a couple of young guys with too much beer in their brains, and one elderly fellow at the grocery who misunderstood my clothing. One qualification is that I only wear the kilt for piping and Celtic events.

[BBoykin]

I was in Oban last June and a woman from Belgium asked to have her picture taken with me. Apparently she couldn't wait to see a kilted man in Scotland and was very excited. Little did she know I was an American tourist in a Sport Kilt. Close enough, I guess. : )