Is It an Age Thing?

[Vince]

David - I'm still trying to picture 'Ham the Horrible'. It just doesn't work.

Ham - I don't think that it is an age thig. While I am only just pushing 50, I'm no spring chicken. I get quite a few compliments, mostly from the 20 something crowd. It leads me to believe that it is regional. Either that or I am incredibly good looking - not bloody likely. :P
So I expect that it is pretty much regional. Kilts in America are definately unexpected and provoke more interest.

[Andrew Breecher]

I don't always get comments to my face. Once I overheard two French girls talking as I passed them in a store. One said to the other "Oooh la la" (no translation required), but said it quietly, not thinking I'd here. Today I was out with some friends, and one of them told me that a woman said, after I'd passed by, "He's wearing a kilt. He's my new hero." I hadn't heard her. Perhaps people admire your kilt out of earshot because they're too shy or embarassed to say it to your face. Perhaps it is an age thing in that case: you look more distinguished than us young yobs so they're less likely to want to ruffle feathers?

Andrew.

[Andrew]

Hamish, I am wondering if you have had any comments or looks whilst on your travels, such as too North America. I do think that the area one lives in might play a big part in this whole issue.
As for the age thing, well it might have a little part to play in it all, not in a bad way of course.
One might see you, (being such a fine Kilted Gentalman), whislt out and about and think to oneselfs, that this fine Kilted Man need not be bothered by any silly question or looks.

[Rob]

Ham,

It is not quite true that you have never had any sort of reaction to your kilt wearing. Do you remember last year when you, Dave W and I walked into a pub in Wales, and the landlord said "Well, what have we got here then?". Now that could of course have been because there were three kilted men walking into his pub (not exactly an everyday occurrence), and he may not have made any comment if you had been on your own. I must admit though that no one else in the pub said anything to us.

I agree with everyone else that it is probably not a matter of age, but is more likely a case of British reserve. Americans are more likely to converse with you whatever you happen to be wearing, and if you are wearing a kilt, it gives them an easy opening for their conversation. I have certainly noticed this difference between the UK and the US, and I have never worn a kilt in the US.

Rob

[Hamish]

Thank you, everyone, for your varied, interesting and generous responses. (Jamie, I agree you DO have an overactive imagination!!).

Of course, had I stopped to think before posing the question, I'd have remembered that I myself am constantly bringing up the matter of "The British Reserve" and, yes, that surely has a lot to do with it.

It is not that I (seriously) seek attention or crave praise, but compliments from total strangers are a marvellous boost to the morale. Maybe I was just feeling slightly envious of the sheer volume of such compliments many of my American brethren receive!

However, compliments or otherwise, the important thing is that we continue to revel in the comfort and freedom of kilt wearing, and that we use every opportunity to edify those who have yet to discover these things for themselves.

Thanks again, everyone.

[Mychael Sporrano]

I think its a culture thing. In America, we have no cultural context for men wearing unbifurcated garments except as a costume or as a joke.

"...no cultural context" is an excellent way to put it. Unless it is Halloween, one lives in a strange realm of 'anything goes' such as New York City or San Franciso, or we are talking religious or ceremonial dress, a kilt is going to attract attention here in the States.

Ham, based on your piccies (as Graham likes calling them), posts, as well as personal correspondence, you seem a very personable sort. I cannot imagine you appearing as unapproachable (are you stinky? Just kidding!), and I don't think that age has much to do with it. It must have everything to do with that cultural difference Rob has brought up involving reserve. I have heard it stated many times how our stateside inquisitiveness can come off as prying, boorish behaviour to those abroad.

I have written before that wearing a kilt is far from a non event for me. I get comments hurled from car windows while I walk (good and bad), from folks at the grocery store, people whom I can detect with my peripheral vision pointing at me as I pass, you name it. It really is difficult for me to forget how I am dressed.

On Saturday I was dressed for a "Biker Wedding" in my Graphite PK, leather vest, Harley Davidson T-shirt, semi-dress sporran, hiking boots, etc. At a drug store on the way I was engaged in a very lengthy conversation by a person stocking shelves who started with,"Is that a REAL kilt?", and ended with "More men need to wear kilts in Pittsburgh." At the wedding itself I received such a good welcome that my pic was snapped, folks were gushing about how great I looked, and I had to be rescued by my wife from one of those "ladies" who decide it is their personal business to check you for undergarments.

My mother-in-law, who was also in attendance, was worried that our side of the family had been invited as fodder for ridicule (a very silly theory from which I could not dissuade her). The attention that I received at the wedding was so positive that it was a very affirming situation for her where the wearing of kilts is concerned. [It bugs me that her acceptance for me has to be based on that of others, but that is fodder for a different thread.] Folks in these parts do certainly notice, and some seem very comfortable with telling me what they think about men in kilts/skirts.

While at the wedding, my brother-in-law who had just come from marching in a political parade, was telling me how the experience had been such a roller-coaster ride for him. The crowd in attendance would go hot and cold from one step to another with one cheering and the next jeering the sentiment expressed on his sign, people feeling free to state their minds point blank. In a way I know how he must have felt because that represents my experience with the kilt: a melange of positive and negative experience that always results in my again putting on a kilt the net morning.

So, lot's of attention here, both good and bad. Mostly it consists of insults or whispering in my wake, stuff shouted from passing cars. Not so much face-to-face, but when it is up close it tends to be very positive- unless the other person has been drinking, then anything goes.

While I have been composing this reply to your post, Ham, I see that you have already offered your response. I'll post this anyway. In closing, you need to visit the States more often! Also, it is perfectly fine to want a bit of attention when you go out.

Mychael

[Freelander Sporrano]

Hamish,
Age is a state of mind, And by looking at your gallery you have a sence of fun which would be well at home for someone in their early twenties.
Or mid forties(in my case)

The lack of any comments here in Norway seems to stem from the fact they have a kind of un-written rule about not being better than the next person.

This rule is called."Janteloven" It's just a way of trying to kill off difference.What I'm trying to say is that people think I'm showing off, and that I need the attention.So they say nothing.However this said you can see by the look on their faces they are just Bursting with questions.

It might be that people have become used the different styles people wear today ,or quite simply Don't care.It's not them afterall.I do however agree a question or a nice comment goes along my to boosting moral

All the best .....David.

[Vince]

It is not that I (seriously) seek attention or crave praise, but compliments from total strangers are a marvellous boost to the morale. Maybe I was just feeling slightly envious of the sheer volume of such compliments many of my American brethren receive!

Ham - Oh ye of short memory. How soon you have forgotten your two page spread in the newspaper, international exposure on the Graham Norton show, and if I recalls correctly a couple of interviews regarding MUGs. Oh yes, not to forget the 'Virtual Ham Night'.

But if it helps any, you do look sharp in all your kilts.

[bubba]

international exposure on the Graham Norton show, and if I recalls correctly a couple of interviews regarding MUGs.

I would hope Ham wasn't exposed!!

[Mychael Sporrano]

This rule is called."Janteloven" It's just a way of trying to kill off difference.What I'm trying to say is that people think I'm showing off, and that I need the attention.So they say nothing.

Wow! Talk about displaying a need to hammer down the raised nail!! Cultural differences never fail to fascinate me, David.

Mychael