Be gentle...it's my first time

[Pour1Malt]

giud oan ya laddie!

wear yur kilt wi pride!

[bangkok kilt]

Has anyone on this forum ever been assaulted because they had a kilt on? I appreciate it must be a risk and there are some areas I wouldn't dream of wearing a kilt in but on the whole I don't see why people shouldn't wear kilts wherever they want to. I only hope I can be that brave one day!

Cheers

Not assaulted for sure, but I did feel pretty uncomfortable at one point on my first outing (see my post in Pictures about my outing in Turkey yesterday). I was at the bus stop and had to walk through a group of about 15 younger guys by myself. They started yelling as I walked past and cat calling. I kept going and ignored them. When I walked back I just walked past them with my head up and didn't make eye contact like they didn't exist and everything was fine, although I was nervous for a moment.

What I did find to be true was that when I was with someone else the comments were far less than when I was alone. That might be a good tip if your nervous.

[davedove]

Actually, some of the "seedier" places seem to be some of the most tolerant as well. I've been kilted with some hardcore biker types who were hardened Viet Nam vets and they treat you with more respect than if you were wearing Dockers.

Some of the best compliments I have received from men were from the "biker types". Perhaps it's because they are used to being themselves and respect others who do the same.

[Kilted KT]

Nope, never come even close to being assaulted while kilted. then again, I agree that is has to do with how you carry yourself. I've never had anyone approach me looking like they wanted to fight.

[arrogcow]

As others have said, in nearly 5 years the worst thing is a couple of drive by shoutings.

Adam

[Rex_Tremende]

[...] It is all how you approach things. As I've mentioned before, I try to end all encounters in a positive way. One way to do this is to give your "attacker" a comfortable escape route.
[...]
My best advice is to not shrink from comments. As others have mentioned, be confident. Show your confidence. Smile, look people squarely in the eye. Don't act like you are expecting sour comments or negative feedback. Look sharp and carry a command presence. It works wonders.

This weekend I stopped in at my local "Bed, Bath, and Beyond" to pick up some more clip hangers for all the kilts that are on their way. A few storefronts down, a group of young, urban men had taken notice of me, and were hooting and hollering in my direction as I walked to my car. At first I tried to ignore them, but I noticed they started moving in my direction. So, I changed course slightly toward their direction, raised my eyebrows, and looked squarely at the one in front. As quick as I did, his three friends disappeared back into the stores. The guy looked over both shoulders and saw that he was alone, gave a sheepish grin, asked, "Do you have your...um..." and pantomimed bagpipes in a way that looked more like he was playing the flute. "My pipes?" I asked in reply. "No, not today." And that was the end of that.

Sometimes it feels like running the gauntlet, and sometimes even the adulation and curiosity gets a little tiresome, so sometimes the best times are when no one seems to notice.

Regards,
Rex in Cincinnati

[bronzewhaler82]

I must say, I am surprised a kilt would not be more common in London and that it would get much of any reaction at all.

You'd be surprised, London might not be too far from Scotland (in the scale of things) but on the street you simply don't see them.

I recall about a year ago (before I was into kilts) I saw a guy in a restaurant in my local town in a kilt, he looked very confident and didn't even seem to notice the stares he was drawing, I looked for a few moments then went on with my conversation with a freind, I just remember thinking 'Brave sod' I never imagined that soon it would be me wearing a kilt in a restaurant!!

At formal occasions the odd kilt wearer will come out of the woodwork but I NEVER see people wearing them shopping or on nights out at all. Strange but true.

My newest concern is my girlfriend, shes very nervous when I go out and about in the kilt, she has reservations about me wearing it on the street, private parties etc she has no worries but around town she is visibly worried about the stares/remarks I get. Anyone else with this problem? Is it something she'll get used to over time, I must admit I feel like I'm being a bit selfish wearing the kilt when it obviously makes her uncomfortable.

Any suggestions?

[Iolaus]

This weekend I stopped in at my local "Bed, Bath, and Beyond" to pick up some more clip hangers for all the kilts that are on their way. A few storefronts down, a group of young, urban men had taken notice of me, and were hooting and hollering in my direction as I walked to my car. At first I tried to ignore them, but I noticed they started moving in my direction. So, I changed course slightly toward their direction, raised my eyebrows, and looked squarely at the one in front. As quick as I did, his three friends disappeared back into the stores. The guy looked over both shoulders and saw that he was alone, gave a sheepish grin, asked, "Do you have your...um..." and pantomimed bagpipes in a way that looked more like he was playing the flute. "My pipes?" I asked in reply. "No, not today." And that was the end of that.

Sometimes it feels like running the gauntlet, and sometimes even the adulation and curiosity gets a little tiresome, so sometimes the best times are when no one seems to notice.

Regards,
Rex in Cincinnati

You've more patience than I. If I had seen the potential conflict, and then seen the wind fall out of his sails like that, I'd have pushed my advantage by asking something like "why, you feel like blowing something?" People like that need to be put decisively in their place - even if no-one else sees it. They'll know they ran into an Alpha; they'll relate the kilt to that experience and be less likely to instigate a scene again.

But hey, that's just me; I can be an aggressive troublemaker sometimes.

[Kilted KT]

You've more patience than I. If I had seen the potential conflict, and then seen the wind fall out of his sails like that, I'd have pushed my advantage by asking something like "why, you feel like blowing something?" People like that need to be put decisively in their place - even if no-one else sees it. They'll know they ran into an Alpha; they'll relate the kilt to that experience and be less likely to instigate a scene again.

But hey, that's just me; I can be an aggressive troublemaker sometimes.

I agree to apoint ( although I haven't seen it yet, I'm sure it is there somewhere). I feel the prevasiveness of false-bravado is dumbing down our society. Those who think it is 'cool' to belittle those different than themselves should be summarily put in their place, without heistation. While I am no great fan of politeness to the point of rediculousness, blatant rudeness and intentional oppression is no favorite of mine either. Attitude in my opinion is completely event-driven. At a formal event, yes, it is preferred to be polite, and to handle objections in a firm but controlled manner. when out in a pub, the offenders get what ever is coming their way. I prefer a good tounge lashing, but use whatever you have in your arsenal to protect yourself.

yes, the above sounds rather harsh, but a bully is only a bully until he is put in his place. If you can end a bully's career, I'm sure there are countless others who would thank you down the road. If it takes showing the darker side of a proud and confident man, then so be it.

[Rex_Tremende]

My newest concern is my girlfriend, shes very nervous when I go out and about in the kilt, she has reservations about me wearing it on the street, private parties etc she has no worries but around town she is visibly worried about the stares/remarks I get. Anyone else with this problem? Is it something she'll get used to over time, I must admit I feel like I'm being a bit selfish wearing the kilt when it obviously makes her uncomfortable.

Any suggestions?

Find out what, in particular, about the stares and remarks bother her and try to address those issues. If you do stuff over her objections habitually, she may decide you are inconsiderate of her feelings and take her affections elsewhere. Acknowledge her concerns and try to agree on a solution. Compromise is certainly a good one.

If it is a safety and security concern, then experience may help. Decide on places that are off-limits and don't go there kilted, then revisit the list as comfort develops.

Perhaps it's an attention thing. If you are constantly being bombarded with comments and questions, learn to offer a perfunctory nod and word of thanks, then pull her closer to you or return your gaze to hers.

Regards,
Rex in Cincinnati