You just can't beat culture!

[creativeaccents]

I think that you are right about the different reactions for the different types of kilts. The traditional is universally recognized for what it is...a kilt. The casual kilt, even with a 3" black belt, still is viewed as a skirt. Interesting thing is that some in the first pub were wearing plaid shorts, white socks and sandals while a few others were in the heavy biker leathers and chains...in an "IRISH" pub. Location had a lot to do with it, there are some places where it is just best to make a discrete retreat to the door. "good ol boys" don't like different and CAN be dangerous.

Curious for me, but a learning curve. Probably the first time as a straight, WASP, conservative that I was the recipient of ignorance and bigotry. Maybe we all need to experience that to know how it feels?!
The Marine heritage led to anger and a desire to adjust some attitudes. Common sense told me this was NOT a time or place to start something.

Born and raised in the south, it didn't take much to become "different" based purely on outward appearances judged in one glance. It wasn't about who I was, but simply my appearance.

Lesson learned, sometimes its better not to go where ignorance abounds. On the other hand, it reconfirmed my desire to move to Asheville.

[Mark Keeney]

I think it is less of what kind of kilt it is as to how you wear it. It is all about confidence. If you own the kilt and don't react to comments or looks you will walk away a winner. I wear both tartan and Utilikilts and its all the same. I wear them to big cities and small towns, no difference. The most problem I ever get is teenage boys in groups who are just showing off how "cool" they are.

[auld argonian]

First of all, I'd think that in the South, where a whole lot of the Scots and Scots Irish settled, they'd be a little more receptive to kilts.

Second, it cuts both ways. When I worked for a large insurance company a while back, we had national training seminars here in Chicago. This brought the gang from our Southern Division up here...and they dressed a whole lot different from the pinstripe navy blue suit dress oxfords types from our division.

One of the managers from the Southern Division wore a green suit...and I'm not talking Hunter Green...we were getting seriously close to Kelly Green...not the sort of thing that I was used to seeing in a business environment and I made a flippant comment that I thought was in jest but that he took as an insult. One of the old secretaries had to stop and explain to me that this was just the way it was...that the guys from the South just had a different approach to their wardrobes and that that was just the way it was...it was a CULTURAL thing and she basically said, in a very nice way, that it was not given to me to judge. I apologized and things were all right but I'll never forget the lesson of that day.

So in a world where people are wearing their flip flops to the White House and all year long...and they're wearing baggy cargo shorts for casual friday (can we go back in time and kill the bastard that came up with that concept?)...who besides a small minded wonk feels that they have room to comment? Good Lord, I was convinced that the whole thing was going to hell in a handbasket when people started showing up at funerals in their blue jeans!

So keep it up, creativeA, the odd compliments are worth all the grief. Maybe someday one of the sniggerers will come back and apologize for being so small minded much as I did with that fella years ago.

Best

AA

[Moosedog]

Curious for me, but a learning curve. Probably the first time as a straight, WASP, conservative that I was the recipient of ignorance and bigotry. Maybe we all need to experience that to know how it feels?!

Very perceptive of you, Creative Accents...I appreciate your posting this experience and your reactions.

Moosedog

[McFarkus]

Born and raised in the south, it didn't take much to become "different" based purely on outward appearances judged in one glance. It wasn't about who I was, but simply my appearance.

Lesson learned, sometimes its better not to go where ignorance abounds. On the other hand, it reconfirmed my desire to move to Asheville.

Back in the late '70'sI spent a year in Chattanooga and a year in Rome, Georgia. Even though my mother was originally from Virginia, I was a G** D*** Yankee. I decided I was a big city boy and moved back to Chicago.

[creativeaccents]

FWIW, I spent a lifetime in blue pinstripe, white shirt, red tie, and wingtips. Wearing a blue shirt would have been ridiculed with, "where did you park your bus". Back then the uniform was an integral part of the corporate mystique. I wrote four books on all of this sort of thing. Raised by a Marine Sergeant Major where coming in second DID NOT HAPPEN! Had the corporate career, big house, nice cars and all the rest and did what kids from the 50's were expected to do, ie., go to the corporation, excel, advance, raise the children, et. al..
As an emergency room chaplain in a major hospital, I saw time after time how quickly life can change. Now, I do what I want to do ..some days writing, some days doing fine art or commercial photography, maybe distributing a few kilts. My word, for what it is worth for the young ...find what you love, do what you love to do, and be who your soul tells you that you truly are...at all costs.
And, by damn, I will wear my kilt and enjoy it...but be choosy in the company I keep.

[ChromeScholar]

Culture? That's the stuff you add to milk to turn it to cheese, ain't it?

[Larry124]

I’ve had similar experiences at Bluegrass Music Festivals in the mid-Atlantic States area.
So it’s not just Southern. (Bluegrass Music is IMHO as much “Mountain” as Southern.)
And the music is from “Border” States where folks fought on BOTH sides in The War Between the States / Civil War (Take your pick).

Rural/small town narrow-mindedness maybe.
Not used to mixing with folks from a wider area or folks that are “strangers”.
Add drink and (don’t) stir.
“We’re us – and you’re not.”

Not to paint with too broad a brush -- there are also thankfully many friendly and accepting folks.

But there are some other kinds of folks too and you can’t fight them all -- especially not a gang of them at the same time.
Good way to get hurt.

Odd since that music is from an area settled by many Scots.
Father of Bluegrass music Bill Monroe? (Munro.)

Or maybe not so odd. There is a type of Mountain personality/attitude (some not all) that is shall we say definitely not cosmopolitan.

[davedove]

I’ve had similar experiences at Bluegrass Music Festivals in the mid-Atlantic States area.
So it’s not just Southern. (Bluegrass Music is IMHO as much “Mountain” as Southern.)

Bluegrass is definitely derived from the Appalachian mountain music, which is ironically derived from the tunes the Irish and Scottish settlers brought with them. Many of the traditional bluegrass tunes come directly from the old country.

And the music is from “Border” States where folks fought on BOTH sides in The War Between the States / Civil War (Take your pick).

Actually, pretty much all the States had folks fighting on each side, some just more than others.

Also, the mountainous regions of the southern States often didn't agree with the rest of the state, especially about seccession. The State of West Virginia is the best example. However, the inhabitants of the Smoky Mountain region of Tennessee and North Carolina also didn't agree with the rest of their state. They were just too isolated from the Union.

Not to paint with too broad a brush -- there are also thankfully many friendly and accepting folks.

Very true, a lot of "country" folk are some of the friendliest you'll ever meet. They'll invite you in and give you a meal and maybe even a place to stay. Of course, they'll probably talk about your weird clothes when they're alone.

[beowulf67]

Actually, pretty much all the States had folks fighting on each side, some just more than others.

Also, the mountainous regions of the southern States often didn't agree with the rest of the state, especially about seccession. The State of West Virginia is the best example. However, the inhabitants of the Smoky Mountain region of Tennessee and North Carolina also didn't agree with the rest of their state. They were just too isolated from the Union.

Very true. I'm from Alabama (roll Tide!) and there were people that fought on both sides for many different reasons.
Also we had "The Free State of Winston" an area that basically seceded from Alabama after it seceded from the Union.