Two weeks, five wearings... my first exposure to the kilt

[Spartan Tartan]

Thanks for sharing your story. Sounds like you have it figured out and the people of Kentucky are pleasant enough.

As to the transatlantic issue, no ideas. Perhaps the people from Kentucky are still learning polite manners for which our southern states are known? Or, you might be onto something with your own appearance--i don't know what you look like so I can't say "you're scary looking", but if that's the case maybe no one wants to get hurt But you might be spot on if the culture over there is not to comment. That being the case, I wouldn't expect many comments or noticeable reactions to a kilt or anything else for that matter.

Just a couple thoughts ... oh and AIRBORNE! Do you still remember your points of contact when performing a PLF?

[Coastie]

Just a couple thoughts ... oh and AIRBORNE! Do you still remember your points of contact when performing a PLF?

Just jogged my memory... I remember we always said "pull your head out of your fourth point of contact" when someone was doing something stupid. So number four is easy to recall.

[longhuntr74]

Just a couple thoughts ... oh and AIRBORNE! Do you still remember your points of contact when performing a PLF?

The three rules of the air...

1)Always look before turning

2) Turn right to avoid collision

3) Lower jumper has the right of way.

Thats what I recall.. and that was a long time ago.

Good job, Coastie! There's the three rules of the air! I can recall being a bit perturbed the time some guy decided to skyshark over me and then run across my canopy...though that wasn't as bad as the guy throwing his static line as he walked off the ramp or the time I landed on a mobile home....

Five points of contact for a PLF...Balls of the feet, Calf, Thigh, Buttocks (the fourth, as noted earlier), and pull-up muscle!

Regarding the topic...I've had similar experiences...everything from complements given face to face, complements shouted from afar, some friendly inquisitions amounting to "Why?", etc. I had one girl chase me down in Walmart last week to ask if I was from Scotland. I felt as though I had let her down when I couldn't fake an accent.

[EagleJCS]

Thanks for sharing your story. Sounds like you have it figured out and the people of Kentucky are pleasant enough.

As to the transatlantic issue, no ideas. Perhaps the people from Kentucky are still learning polite manners for which our southern states are known?

Most folks here in Kentucky are reasonably friendly and polite, and most won't comment on your clothing (at least not directly to you unless they have some "liquid courage" in them) unless they know you. You will likely get some stares and/or smirks because the kilt is not common apparel in the U.S., but most won't say anything. Look 'em in the eye with a small smile and a nod and there shouldn't be any issues. Restaurant servers and other public professions (store clerks, etc.) would be more likely to say something because they're trying to engage their customers in some way. In my experience, the most many will say is "nice kilt" if they know what it is you're wearing.

Not everyone who lives in Kentucky grew up here (yes, people actually do move into the state from time to time), so that may explain the young fellow at Wally world.

Having been born and raised here, I have noticed a deterioration of manners over the years, though. Many young people (I'd say under 25 or so) do or say things on impulse that folks in my generation would have thought twice about. That doesn't appear to be limited to Kentucky, though. Maybe that's due to the reduction in modeling proper face-to-face social interaction by adults? A question for another forum, I think.


To the OP: good on ya, Coastie! Keep wearing the kilt with pride and don't worry about the offhand remarks. The more you wear the kilt out & about, the more people will get used to seeing one.