Bummer of a night at session

**OCD: obsessive collie dog** · 30th April 13, 07:20 AM

My Gt Grand father used to compose with Neil Gow, His widow burned a heap of manuscipts when he died <Groan>

**Nathan** · 30th April 13, 07:42 AM

When I wear it, the second most common question I get asked is, "Why are you wearing the kilt?" or "What's the occasion?". The implication is that people wear the kilt for ceremonial or occupational purposes. Sometimes I just wear it because I want to.

That said, I probably wouldn't wear a kilt to an Irish music session in Toronto or even a Scottish ceilidh or session in Cape Breton. It's not the common practice and people show how Scottish they are by how well they play not how well they dress...

I think I'd be percieved as a attention seeking show off among the hard core Gaels. Many of the local Gaels come from blue collar roots (fishing, farming, mining) so unlike the Highlands, we don't have a bunch of Lords, Lairds and Chiefs walking about. It would also be incongruous if I showed up to a session in a business suit, although the assumption would be that I was coming from somewhere that required such attire.

Maybe the session folk just thought you were showing off. I've seen that reaction for sure.

That wouldn't be the case at a wedding, Highland Games, Gaelic Mod, Feis, Black tie affair etc... etc...

**artroland** · 30th April 13, 09:24 AM

I should probably clarify. It wasn't the session folk who gave me odd looks. On the contrary, everyone liked the kilt, and a few of them also perform kilted when they play out with their bands. These were the folks who happened to be there to catch the basketball game.

I do get your point about people who are less inclined to like the kilts, and no, I don't walk around like I'm royalty in a great kilt or anything. I was wearing a hooded sweatshirt, my kilt, a sporran and boots. No flashes, though. Maybe that's what it was … LOL.

**Old Hippie** · 30th April 13, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by TheOfficialBren

At a table was a group of young Latin kids. Lots of giggles and stares from them...in a rude way. I shrugged it off.

Probably 25 years ago now a good friend of mine was talked into joining a large organization's "Bowling Tournament." Each "team" was allowed to bring a cheering section for additional points. I said, "Hell, ya might as well have a real cheerleader" and so we bought some red fabric and got out her sewing machine and hooked up the ruffler attachment. Those things are great, by the way. In about an hour we had a nice pleated red skirt in my size. I put on a sweatshirt and a pair of running shorts under the skirt, borrowed a pair of pom-poms from another friend's young daughter who was an actual cheerleader -- we had a great time and people thought it was a great idea.

At the end of the "tournament" the alley started filling up with the usual clientele and I went to the washroom to change back into my jeans to go home. Walked into a room with about six young Latino men -- all of whom were totally freaked out by the bearded guy with long hair wearing a skirt.

They left so fast they caused a sonic boom. The manager came to see what all the yelling was about and just said, "Oh, him. It's OK." and that was that.

I had some sympathy for their cultural sensitivities. I am perfectly comfortable pushing the boundaries of the acceptable, but only in situations where everyone understands that's what's going to happen. Pushing people's buttons without their consent is not my agenda.