Are we eccentrics?

[Hamish]

Congratulations on your 1,000th post Graham. I have done it on another forum so can appreciate how you must feel here, on this relatively new one. Well done, my friend.

As for being eccentric: yes, of course I am - and I am proud to admit it. Mind you, all through my working life, until six years ago, I conformed in every way I knew how - I hated to stray from the narrow path - but, once I retired I was able to find my true self and began buying kilts 'big time'. My whole life changed from that moment.

Friends tell me I am a totally different person now - since I re-invented myself - and am much more relaxed, and 'likeable' even!

[Graham]

Well thanks for making my 1000th post special, there are some interesting and encouraging reactions there, as I thought there would be.

Graham, when your poor, it's called crazy. When your rich, it's eccentric... Larry

Lot of truth in that Larry, I guess we must all be rich, well we are in many ways, perhaps not in cash!

Hamish, that's an interesting thought - "reinventing ourselves", I guess that's what we are doing, worth meditating on.

Jamie, I like the definition "not having the same center" I'll accept that quite nicely thanks.

g koch are you sure you are kidding? just kidding.

Bubba
"The word Bravehearts says it all I think."
check out my gallery, I've place a new logo for our kilt night group.

Glenthanks again for your grace and truth, what you say is true about the forum, whenever I have doubts I just come to the forum and post a few.
Oops, now you know why I post so much

[richardljohnson]

As for being eccentric: yes, of course I am - and I am proud to admit it. Mind you, all through my working life, until six years ago, I conformed in every way I knew how - I hated to stray from the narrow path - ...

I add my congratulations on your 1,000th post.

I quoted Hamish because back in November when I made a small committment to start wearing the kilt when possible I told my wife that for the first 45+ years I did my best to conform. I not only lived in the box I helped talk other into the box and that it was the way to go. In November I 'awakened' and realized that if you live in a box they will eventually bury you in it...I don't know about you but I'm not in a hurry for THAT BOX!!!!!

This past weekend I attended my nieces graduation party. I was the crazy uncle...every family has one so I have decided to be it! I wore the Black Stewart and was quite confortable. My niece knew I would be there in a kilt and she just introduced me as 'the kilted uncle'. While there my sister-in-law introduced me to her sisters husband. The first words out of his mouth were, "So, why a kilt?" My response, "Why not?"

After his "Uh..." I realized that he was really courious and not 'taking a tone'. I explained to him my family connection to Scotland and my inner feelings to upholding a tradation. We talked and yes he did admit to thinking I was a little eccentric.

Does that bother me? No. My wife still goes out with me when I'm kilted and even wants a kilt skirt for her. My Niece still thinks I strange but I'm family and the guy's at the stores I go to admit on the side that they wished they could wear a kilt occassionally. I've always believed in some ways I am cutting edge, so here I am on the cutting edge but remember what someone once said 'It's the one's out front that catch the arrows'.

Graham, if your eccentric then your in a good crowd because there are a lot of us out there with you...I can't think of a better crowd of guys to be out there with!

RLJ-

[Blu (Ontario)]

... I get VERY little in the way of positive feedback, usually just smirks and sniggers. Thats right, it dont look good on me!...Even women have reduced skirt and dress wearing to a special event. Even for them it has become costume.

JUST KIDDING!
(well sorta)

Jeeepers, GK,,,,, Ya had me goin!!

[bubba]

I still contend we aren't eccentric, the rest of the world is just nuts

[Blu (Ontario)]

Well said, Graham. I believe that doubt is a natural part of any endeavor. Whether the endeavor is eccentric or not is purely subjective. If it becomes all consuming or destructive, it may be time to stand back and do a little soul searching.

[Freelander Sporrano]

I share a lot of the views expressed here,and like Graham,I am also was a little worried about the reaction of my wife when, I said that I would like to wear my kilt a little more than I do at the moment. The village gossip would not doubt go along the lines that."That woman up the road is married to a real oddball." However they all know that I'm English so by default am already a little oddball.

One reaction I was concerned about however, was both of my children (9+7)are at school,and when I turnred up for the national day parade I had on my kilt. I got it into my mind that the other kid's would begin to tease mine because by saying "Your Dad's wearing a skirt" they would, no doubt make their lives hell, because of my passion for the Kilt. All of this was totally unfounded. The parents and teachers all complimented me and some were envious.

My Son and daughter are totally used to seeing me in The kilt now and hardly ever comment.
like Hamish if people call me ecentric then I'm proud to bear that lable. I've spent a good part of my life wondering what others think of me(Stupid I know). Being, measured, and appraised on performance and personality.

I feel so sure of myself now that I don't care If people think I'm screwed up ,or weired just because of my choice of clothing

[al' Sporrano]

As for being eccentric: yes, of course I am -

.....me too, Ham. I remember being told as much by my training Sergeant 17yrs ago. He told me that it was an 'endearing' quality which he liked. He did warn me, however, that there would be some guys in the force who would find my personality hard to handle. Some haven't a clue how to take me sometimes.

To this end, I find it hard to be myself at work. I have to conform. My work environment can be quite hostile and there is great emphasis on image. To this end I tend to be guarded with colleagues unless I know them really really well. They rarely see the real me and I avoid talking about my home life unless I'm sure of the person I'm talking to.

Like you, I will be more myself when I retire. When that day comes, I won't give a damn.

BTW I can't imagine you ever not being 'likeable'. Were you ever that awful?

Al

[Graham]

One reaction I was concerned about however, was both of my children

I understand that too, I have teenagers, they are especially sensitive about these things.
My eldest son loves kilts himself, my 14 yo daughter actually let me take her to the movies while kilted, that was a big thing for her and I told her I was proud of her.(even tho she kinda walked a couple of steps behind me, made me feel like the Queen)

All kids are different and will reacte differently, what you are doing already is the best, just getting them used to seeing you in a kilt and explaining to them why you like the kilt.

[Bill]

Good Morning:

Congratulations Graham on your 1000th post! 8)

As I sat here and read all the posts I must confess envy, for so many of you have the support of wives and family. I have found my dear wife is unaccepting of wearing the kilt anywhere but "in the house and not when others are around".
I must go now but will return to say more when time permits.

Bill