Ok, so we're in Wa;mart...

[PEEDYC]

Quote from QMcK "I don't see why you want to force the issue. If you go somewhere where people are likely to make fun of you if you dress in a certain way, why do it?

I would want to leave my kilt wearing to places where it will be appreciated more."

What if you went out in trousers and bumped into a group of transvestites wearing ladies garb who ridiculed you for your attire, would you wear a dress then next time you went to the same place? I don't think so! I agree with CDNSushi, wear what you want when you want. If others have a problem with your dress then it is their problem.

[Bill]

First of all my thanks to the rabble for your support and comments!
My thanks also to CDMSushi for his eloquently phrased reply.

As it has been said the compliments far outweigh the rude behaviour in my experiance. But I am used to folks being generaly up front about the kilt. It was the "he's blind so I can do what I please and get away with it" attitude.
It's like getting punched from behind.

When all is said and done such action speaks volumes about the character of the person who feels that they may behave in such a manner and assume impunity. After I recovered from the feeling of vunrelbility I felt more pity for her than anything else. It must be a heavy burden to be the instant judge of all one beholds! I wonder how she ever made the transition from skirts and dresses to the trousers she wore.

To end on a lighter note I have been hailed from across parking lots with compliments on the kilt and have had people stop me and strike up conversation about all things Scottish, family, etc.. As I said earlier my wife likes the kilt and she's the one who counts! I might add the ladies at church all love the kilt too! LOL!!

Slainte'
Bill

[Vegan Scot]

I'm probably a little too confrontational (not probably, I definitely am, haha) but as I see it, I have the right to walk out of my house in anything I please, so long as it's legal, without having to deal with other people's ignorance being directed at me. I could wear a full night gown to the grocery store and have it not be anyone's business but mine. And it sounds like your wife and I may see eye to eye on our choice of unrepeatable comments!

[robthehiker]

I refuse to be bullied by the ignorant into conforming or adapting to a particular mold just because they think I should. We live in the 21st century. My junior high school days, when I got made fun of by everyone for not wearing the right brand of blue jeans are over. I wear what I please, when I please, where I please.

Well said CDNSushi. That's going to be my sig line for the next little while.

...as I see it, I have the right to walk out of my house in anything I please, so long as it's legal, without having to deal with other people's ignorance being directed at me. I could wear a full night gown to the grocery store and have it not be anyone's business but mine.

Hear hear!

(but please, don't wear it with white hose. j/k)

[CDNSushi]

Well said CDNSushi. That's going to be my sig line for the next little while.

I'm flattered.

[Ian.MacAllan]

. . . I see what you are saying about being kilted among the great unwashed, however where and when I wear any of my clothes I choose should remain my business not that of some yahoo at the local Wal-Mart.

. . . it's just not OUR problem and we're not going to start apologizing for who we are. . . . I wear what I please, when I please, where I please.

You both are right on the mark, gentlemen, and I thank you for stating the so matter clearly. I believe that it is I and no one else who is responsible for my actions and I refuse to defer my judgement to that of anyone who IMHO behaves badly.

I wear the kilt everywhere because I like the kilt and believe it to be appropriate wherever I go; and some of the funniest experiences I've had with peoples' reactions to my kilt have been in Wal-Marts.

.

[NewGuise]

...the same question could be asked of someone who chooses to live an openly homosexual lifestyle.

Your post on the whole is lovely, and your point here well-taken. Thank you.

I do feel obliged to note that I still have no idea as to what might constititute a "homosexual lifestyle"; aside from my being married to a man rather than to a woman, the queerest thing about my own "lifestyle" at present is probably my tendency as a non-Scot to wear a kilt. In public. However, that is itself à propos: I refuse to leave either my kilt or my sexuality in a closet.

[CDNSushi]

I wear the kilt everywhere because I like the kilt and believe it to be appropriate wherever I go; and some of the funniest experiences I've had with peoples' reactions to my kilt have been in Wal-Marts

And truth be told, when I was in Edmonton this summer, I was in a few Walmarts on numerous occasions without so much as a glance in my direction or a word said to me.

(But then, perhaps I have kiltedwolfman to thank for that, for having de-sensitized the Edmontonians to seeing a full-time kilt-wearer.. hehe)

[fluter]

If you go somewhere where people are likely to make fun of you if you dress in a certain way, why do it?

We're making fun of them /slap/ Not nice, Ken!

Even at Wal-Mart, compliments outnumber any other reactions. Furthermore, at the business next door, the ladies would be disappointed if I showed up bifurcated too often.

[Marshal Moroni]

Much of what has been posted has the ring of truth to it. Well said CDNSushi, your comment reminds me of the answer to the "Real men don't eat quiche" line from not so long ago. The reply was that Real Men don't care what others think, they eat what they like.

The same goes for the Kilt, I wear it because I like it. I do consider the feelings of others when I know it will make them uncomfortable or perhaps take attention from an honoree or the Bride, etc.

But in general, I am kilted, because I want to be.

Cheers,

Marshal Moroni