hey need some advice.

[Panache]

Andrew,

Welcome to the forum.

I wish I had been so bold as to have worn a kilt to High School at the age of 16. Good for you.

High School is full of people desperately trying to fit in and be like everyone else. To wear a kilt is to stand out. In a sense you are challenging your peers by choosing a fashion that is unique. If you choose to wear a kilt you are choosing to invite scorn from the ignorant, the stupid, and the foolish. To respond to a juvenile taunt of "******" lacks poise. To respond with violence brings you to their level and lower. To use "******" as an insult (or to react to it) is to demonstrate ignorance and immaturity. Be better than than.

I wouldn't bother to respond. But if you want a comeback how about this:

"I'm Scottish and you aren't worth the effort"


By the by...

... my grandfather alexander mcalpin came over from scotland in 1756. he died in Georiga.

You Mcalpins must be both long lived and robust if you are only 16!

Cheers

P.S. Spelling and punctuation count. If you are going to stand out from the crowd in dress. Make your posts equally sharp

[McClef]

Just thought of another retort:

"There are more faggots in trousers!"

Here in the UK though faggots are a savoury dish eaten with mashed potato and peas. :rolleyes:

[B.Ramsay]

Hey Wiz, If I didn't already have a soon to be Wife I would be starting a thread just to hear more of your lines

Andrew, Listen to the man. On top of that it doesn't matter what you wear. If it's different the a$$holes will come out of the wood work... (I was the only Cowboy in a HS full of Punks and Skids, never liked being the same as everyone). I got ribbed while wearing a Kilt to a function while in Highschool too, but that's besides the fact.

Good self confidece is much better than flinging fists anyday when dealing with ignorant fools. In the end that will have much more of a punch.


I do have to admit I LMAO when I read why you were suspended (I'm not condoning it, and it definitely is not the answer) just found it funny because I had a friend do the same when I recieved the 'fagot' comment from some one. I couldn't believe the chears the crowd gave outside the bar (December in Saskatoon BTW).
Ignorant Fool:"Come on Fagot lets see what's under you skirt" while reaching his buddy's crutch for my kilt
Me:"Bigger balls that you my friend" Said with a smile. Turn around to flag down cab for the ladies, and what do I hear....
Big Mic Friend:"you're lucky he's nicer than me" *THUMP* <-- Not the answer bytheway
Crowds responce to a 250lbs pant wearing mic decking a no neck 280lbs gym monkey for calling a man in a kilt a fag.... PRICELESS!


But seriously, speaking as the unpopular kid when I was in high school, no clothes I wore would have made a difference. What did make a difference was sticking up for myself by not letting them get the better of me and gaining self confidence through that. Keep wearing the kilt. In the short run their banter may get your goat (no sheep jokes, it goat ), but in the long run it'll be their goat that you get and years down the road thy'll be wishing they had the self confidence to wear kilts back then like the guy who had all the girls at grad.

[Blu (Ontario)]

... I would be grateful for some advice and comebacks...

Hello Andrew,

Welcome to Xmarksthescot.

As one who also shares some of that McAlpine bloodline, I'd like to make a comment or two.

Firstly, I remember how tough my teenage years were and how raging hormones can affect young minds as they try to find their identity within a group. You certainly have my respect for stepping away from the rest of the drones and showing pride in your heritage. I know how well how much fortitude it takes to start wearing a kilt in public.

What you are experiencing is social conditioning at its finest. Conform, fit in, play the game, follow the group, stick with the program, etc. or else face the scorn of society. I would guess that, at some time or other, every member of this forum has faced some form of negativity

As for the caustic remarks... I've been called a few things over the last few years virtually all of which were not worth getting worked up over. You soon come to realize that the people doing the name calling do so through ignorance, and fear. They think that by puting down someone else, they elevate their own self esteem.

I have to say that the "bloody nose" incident was unfortunate and I understand how the negative remarks by imature students can be frustrating and discouraging. ButI assure you that your determination and resolve on your part will eventually defeat the ignorant. Don't lose heart... you are a McAlpine

Cuimnich bas Ailpein

blu

[KiltedKnight]

Look folks, I have been reading these posts in reply to the original request for advice and I cannot believe the PC cop out that I'm reading. A bully doesn't change because you ignore him, that only encourages him. A bully today is no different than a bully of a thousand years ago.

As an adolescent I was bullied to a point. My father told me that you cannot walk away from a bully. A bully by his very nature will continue to antagonize someone that walks away, a bully is hiding his insecurity by bullying others and won't stop until he learns that his bullying will not be tolerated.

My father's advice was to take a baseball bat to the bully after I tried to turn my back on him and it didn't work. Once I introduced him to that bat a few things happened very quickly, first, that bully never bothered me and second the other bullies learned what could happen to them if they attempted to bully myself or my friends again. The name calling stopped and they learned respect.

I support Andrew's action and I'll bet that the loud mouth won't bother him again and will learn to respect a man in a kilt for the rest of his life.

Chris.

[Raphael]

The bullies are afraid that you are going to get more attention than them. However, don't sink down to their level and be a bully. You need to remember that you wear it because you are a Proud Scot. Although I don't agree with violence, but that kid need to learn a lesson.

Have you talk to your teachers about doing a talk about the kilt and the Scottish culture? It would be a good learning experience.

[Andrew Green]

Welsome Andrew, from another Andrew! Hey, it's a great name to have.

"Don't tell me. This was probably some guy with his pants halfway down his butt and he had to keep ahold of them or they would fall off.
If that was the case, remember his fashion choice is influenced by prison wear."

Bam! There ya go... how many people who run around dressed like that are actually AWARE of the fact that this style of dress did indeed form out of ill-fitting prison clothes? IF the person is aware of that, what on earth is there to be proud of in dressing in such a fashion? There ya go, show the world you are proud of being an indereducated and ignorant thug. Not that I would really phrase it to someone like that in an academic environment, I wouldn't hesitate to point it out on the street... unless I were outnumbered. What can I say, I am brash at times, and live in a pretty ghetto neighborhood. Most people leave me alone, and almost everyone who has ever said anything to me, has done so in humour.

I would also make sure to point out the fact that the kilt IS a man's garment, has always been a man's garment. If the people giving you a hard time are African-American, point out that there are African tribes that wear unbifurcated garments... there isn't much that one can say back to that... although they might not understand what unbifurcated means. If said people insist that they don't, then merely state that it is sad that you know more about their cultural background than they do. Granted, I am sure not ALL tribes wore MUGs, but if the group you are talking to doesn't know that there are tribes who do, chances are that they probably know little or nothing of their heritage anyway, and can't prove you wrong.

Also, you might want to be aware of potential kilt lifters... apparently some of the guys have had issues with ladies trying to sneak a peek... then again, if you are single, this could easily work in your favour.

In theory there should be a fair amount of Scottish descended people in the southern states...
My dad's side of the family are partly Scottish/Scot's descendants, and the bulk of them are from Arkansas.

[GatorUK]

Look folks, I have been reading these posts in reply to the original request for advice and I cannot believe the PC cop out that I'm reading. A bully doesn't change because you ignore him, that only encourages him. A bully today is no different than a bully of a thousand years ago.

As an adolescent I was bullied to a point. My father told me that you cannot walk away from a bully. A bully by his very nature will continue to antagonize someone that walks away, a bully is hiding his insecurity by bullying others and won't stop until he learns that his bullying will not be tolerated.

My father's advice was to take a baseball bat to the bully after I tried to turn my back on him and it didn't work. Once I introduced him to that bat a few things happened very quickly, first, that bully never bothered me and second the other bullies learned what could happen to them if they attempted to bully myself or my friends again. The name calling stopped and they learned respect.

I support Andrew's action and I'll bet that the loud mouth won't bother him again and will learn to respect a man in a kilt for the rest of his life.

Chris.

Have to agree somewhat with Chris. Comebacks and ignoring the source will more than likely work unless you are dealing with a bully. Even so, you will have to be ready to defend yourself physically when using comebacks because as you probably already know, when the adolescent insulter feels he has been "dissed" and he does not have a comeback things will escalate to the physical very rapidly. My similar experience (back in the day) happened in junior high when I had to wear glasses. Regardless that I was the same guy and still bigger and stronger than most in my class, I became a 'target'. Fortunately in my day I was able to 'adjust their attitudes' with little more consequence than detention. As you have already found out the consequences of getting physical are more severe today.
The fact that you are concerned about being suspended indicates you care about your education. Unfortunately, those that are going to instigate a confrontation with you probably do not, and see a suspension as a 'badge of honor' among their circle of idiots. Also, the fact that in this politically correct age most schools have a policy that it doesn't matter who starts an altercation. Both students get suspended unless it can be shown that one didn't fight back at all. My advise is size up the situation before opening your mouth. Expect the worst when you do and lastly..hit the gym.

[bubba]

Both students get suspended unless it can be shown that one didn't fight back at all.

That really chaps my butt. One is expected to just stand there and get beaten and not defend themselves hoping someone in authority will arrive before too much damage is done. It's utter nonsense. If you can escape, fine, but too often a bully makes sure you're cornered, it's part of the strategy of intimidation. I'm a firm believer in a foot to the jewels and walk away while he's down.

[Splash_4]

I have been following this thread with some amusement. In today's society, we get offended far too much. This chaps words to you were meant to get a rise, and he paid the price for obtaining it. While I would not personally resolve to violence over words, words can hurt. I find it much more entertaining to show the level of ignorance of the accuser. For example,

Him: hey are your a ******, or something?
Me: Hmmmm, I did not think I looked like a large bundle of sticks.
Him: No, I mean are you gay?
Me: Well, I tend to be quite happy most of the time....

Once you get them off of the game, the onlookers often realize that you are dealing with a dolt and an ignoramus. It is much more amusing to see the rest of the crowd laugh at him and takes the focus off of the situation.

Anyway, once you strap on the kilt, you are going against most of societies norms. You should always be ready with a witty response.