Sitting...

[Jewddha]

KiltedBishop: sadly, am not a teacher, though I am looking into a teaching career possibly.

Thanks everyone, lately I've been getting more and more comfortable in it, so it mgiht be happening sooner than later... well, as soon as this string of rain we have clears up.

[Thistle Stop]

Well, it's just that I'd imagine on top would be more visible than in between, but the latter would be more uncomfortable.

Better get a sporran!

[Thistle Stop]

Jewddha, take courage.

There's a long established precedent...17 years ago...just in case you don't know about this check the Nov '04 UK Newsletter

http://www.utilikilts.com/news11-04.htm

The article says :

Utilikilts serve a special niche for me: in 1988 (if memory serves) for our first Tartan Day, I wore my regular kilt to work as an Admissions Counselor at the University of California, Davis. Not only was it our first Congressionally chartered Tartan Day, but it was also the start of UC Davis' "Diversity Week", along with a function we call Welcome Week, where prospective students and their parents can tour the campus, and get a feel for the University.
I had an 8am presentation to high school students at our law school, and when I returned to my office, our assistant director stopped in and told me that wearing a kilt to work was "inappropriate", and that I needed to remove it or be sent home. I told him to put it in writing, which he did, via e-mail. I sent his e-mail to our national membership chairperson (I'm a regional commissioner for the MacDonalds), and within 24 hours, I was getting a ton of supportive e-mails from all over the world.
It strikes me as odd that a university which claims it supports diversity and abhors discrimination of all types would take this stance. Perhaps I wasn't "PC" enough for them. This stupidity ended about a week and a half later when Stuart Morrison, a retired appelate court justice and former High Commissioner for the Clan Morrison, offered to represent me in a lawsuit where the university would be called to task for three separate civil rights violations. They caved immediately, and within an hour of receiving my copy of the e-mail from Stuart (another went to our chancellor's office and the University President's office in Berkeley, I had a hand delivered letter of apology. Now, I wear my kilts any time I feel like it!
Thanks for making such a wonderful product. I can't imagine life without my Utilikilt-Scottish Levi's!!
Yours,
Jerry Griffin

There's a photo of Jerry in the newsletter.

Walk the campus with pride.

Ron

Wow, what a great story! I wonder if the clan people knew they were going to bat for a Utilikilt, rather than a traditional kilt. If so, then they were considering it just as 'Scottish', in terms of being ethnic garb, as a tartan tank! That surprises me! But I'm glad for Jerry and all those for whom he opened the door! Thanks for posting his story, Ron

EDIT: Re-reading the article, I see he says he wore his 'regular kilt' to work that first time, for Tartan Day -- so I guess it wasn't a UK after all, and the clan societies, etc., were defending the traditional kilt. But apparently it opened the door for UKs as well!

[Thistle Stop]

Oh it's not so much the administration, as the students. I'm sure y'all must at least have a friend with a kid in high school (or if you can remember it yourself), it can be a pretty discouraging, at times even downright terrifying. I'm thinking baout giving it a shot sometime next week, but we shall see.

Have courage! The coolest thing you can possibly do is just to be yourself with no apologies to anyone! I know it's hard to do that in high school, but when you look back from a point in your twenties, you'll see how true this is. A famous couple in the New York/Paris 'Jazz Age' scene said 'Living well is the best revenge' -- and that's so true. But it doesn't have to mean being rich and having all the material goods you want. Real happiness, and real 'living well', is about being satisfied with what you have and what you are and what you're doing, just as it is. If you're not happy with some aspect of it, plan some changes, and be happy knowing you're on the road to fulfilling your plan. The best defense against people who are unkind is to look happy with yourself, and treat them as a happy person without a care would do. Think of some good answers to things people might say -- like, if they ask why you're wearing it, you might say, 'Because it's cool, and very comfortable and fun to wear.' Not a smart-alec answer, just a happy one. See what I mean? If they say they don't think it's so cool, just shrug your shoulders with a smile and go on your way. If they ask if you're wearing underwear, tell them you're sworn to secrecy and give them the old raised eyebrow or a wink or or a laugh -- whatever fits your personality. Think of yourself as James Bond or some other character or celebrity who wears a kilt with panache -- a mental image of yourself as a 'cool guy' can help you come up with the right responses sometimes. Have fun wearing your kilt. If it isn't fun, because too many jerks confront you, just wear it away from school, unless you'd rather tough it out. Once they get used to seeing you in the kilt, the remarks will probably stop. You may find that you only get good reactions, anyway! So give it a try when you feel ready, and let us know how it goes!

Courage, mon ami!

[Thistle Stop]

P.S. -- I think wearing some underwear, like dark-coloured boxer-briefs, is a good idea until you see how it goes. If you get a lot of kilt-lifters at first, you'll feel much better if you are not 'overexposed'! They have boxer-briefs at Penney's at a good price.

[Jewddha]

P.S. -- I think wearing some underwear, like dark-coloured boxer-briefs, is a good idea until you see how it goes. If you get a lot of kilt-lifters at first, you'll feel much better if you are not 'overexposed'! They have boxer-briefs at Penney's at a good price.

Definitely, even if not for me, for the admin. Just to play it safe.

[KiltedBishop]

Cyndi put it very well. Be yourself and you will be much happier in the end. I spent too much of my high school career trying to fit in, then gave it up and was much happier. And besides how much relevance do you give a fool? well they are fools if they give you a hard time. enjoy it, and remember you are part of a long tradition. For a LONG time people wearing kilts were persicuted.