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

**English Bloke** · 22nd April 11, 06:57 AM

Originally Posted by robbiethepiper

Same as the rest of the UK. Its generally accepted that making deliberate eye contact means you want to have sex with someone, sell them something or ask a financial favour.....

Robbie gives good explanations but in addition to those, eye contact in UK is generally construed as challenging. I have often encountered this. When deep in solitary thought I have the bad habit of gazing off into the middle distance. I have often been snapped back from my reverie by an aggressive "Oiy! What you eff-in' lookin' at?". Easy fixed on most occasions with a smile and a "Sorry Mate, miles away" but not always though. If you wan't to look people in the eye in Britain, you have to be prepared to back it up... or do as most people do; don't.

Glad you're enjoying your Kilting in Kentucky, Coastie. Good on yer!

**Spartan Tartan** · 22nd April 11, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by English Bloke

Robbie gives good explanations but in addition to those, eye contact in UK is generally construed as challenging. I have often encountered this. When deep in solitary thought I have the bad habit of gazing off into the middle distance. I have often been snapped back from my reverie by an aggressive "Oiy! What you eff-in' lookin' at?". Easy fixed on most occasions with a smile and a "Sorry Mate, miles away" but not always though. If you wan't to look people in the eye in Britain, you have to be prepared to back it up... or do as most people do; don't.

Glad you're enjoying your Kilting in Kentucky, Coastie. Good on yer!

Back it up??? Can I back it up with, "Hello, I'm from the other side of the big pond and where I'm from it's a pleasantry to greet eachother whilst walking down the street. Sorry, if our cultural differences created a misunderstanding."

(perhaps this would preceed the black-eye that I'd be taking pictures of) Just kidding...When I get lost in thought, my head tends to drop and stare at the ground anyway.

Good discussion, I enjoy hearing about these differences.

**Zardoz** · 22nd April 11, 09:22 AM

You know... I forgot to mention this when I was talking before about my mother in-laws experiences in the UK, but I don't feel like folks in the Republic of Ireland think that way. My wife and I were both raised in the typical Texas 'look 'em in eye, firm handshake, loud howdy' ethic, and we never had any issues with that in Ireland.

**robbiethepiper** · 22nd April 11, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

------or, you are about to get a black eye, or worse!

I come from a fairly rural back ground, although towns a cities have ventured into my life from time to time, and I am sure it was not as it is now, some 70,60,50, 40 even 30 years ago. Certain places in the major cities of the UK had grim reputations, but usually a nod, a raise of the hat, a touch on the brim even, or a smile from passing strangers was commonplace then. It still is in the Highlands amongst the older locals.

Good distinction. I think small places are more human than big cities in most countries......

**Howard Clark** · 23rd April 11, 04:38 AM

Good distinction. I think small places are more human than big cities in most countries......

Me too. I had no troubles in London at all. I thought the reactions to my kilt in Lousville were interesting. I was an exhibitor at the Knifemakers Guild show in fall off 2009 (firsttime for the show at that location). I did get a major "expert" opinion on the incorrectness of my sgian from a local, who was of the opinion that it was all wrong because it was not a regimental style piece with black, thistle top shaped handle. Some nice conversations about the kilt and Scottish ancestry did take place both at the show and outside it. There was a pub downtown that required male staff to wear the kilt (all young men, all very inexpensive acrylic tartan kilts, and most worn badly due to lack of knowing any better.

I am quite sure it is a transatlantic thing. We Yanks are not as averse to eye contact or editorial commentary about what we think of you (could be we are just less polite).

**longhuntr74** · 23rd April 11, 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by Spartan Tartan

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

Originally Posted by Coastie

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.