Wish me luck...

[Riverkilt]

Power and control wins over common sense every time.

Hope you've been able to examine your company's policies, so at least you know if they're being bent or broken by treating you differently than a female in a similar garment...

Hope you are kilted at unofficial company gatherings like retirement parties, etc.

Ron

[Arizona Scot]

Also remember that we don't always see the end result from the beginning of the journey. It is like a pebble dropped into a lake what starts as a small ripple can get bigger and bigger. Even though you didn't get the answer you wanted now, a seed may have been planted.

[Ayin McFye]

The only thing that I hate about the whole bit is that there are other ethnic groups at my work that are allowed to wear the clothes from their culture. I think it's plain and obvious that he's discriminating against me and my culture, but oh well.

I have done what i'm willing to do about the issue, so i'll just be wearing my kilt when ever the opportunity arises at work. I'm going to start wearing it on the weekend when there isn't a dresscode at my work, plus like any other events that are held outside of the work office for various reasons.

Cheers everyone!

[pipesndrumsnun]

Maybe some day you'll be the VP!!

[James MacMillan]

OK, I'm retired. So my views of the work place are stilted. I'm also retired from the Marine Corps, which has a rather strict dress code.

When I got out I was mostly self employed, and I didn't go kilted full time untill I really quit working and retired for good.

But - I am now a dedicated full time kilt wearer. I no longer ask permission to wear the kilt to any event. I have kilts and associated clothes that suit any circumstance. Heck - Some of my friends and acquantances have never seen me in a pair of those hated cloth tubes.

At a Lodge dinner last night, not one comment was made. Not "nice kilt" or "What's the occassion?" or "Which tartan is that?" (Wallace Hunting) or nuthin'. It was just accepted.

That's the way I like it.

For your circumstance - all I can offer is a kind word..... Hang in there!

[Galician]

I understand your reluctance to make a big stink out of the issue, but have you raised that point you mention? Have they had to justify acceptance of one group's traditional attire, but not another's?

[auld argonian]

The only thing that I hate about the whole bit is that there are other ethnic groups at my work that are allowed to wear the clothes from their culture. I think it's plain and obvious that he's discriminating against me and my culture, but oh well.

This is a big sticking point for me...living in a city like Chicago where it's like the International Village all year long. I think that showing up in the kilt is just such a dramatic departure from the convention of wearing pants...it blows peoples' minds WAY too often whereas we here all look at it as pretty normal. The funny thing is that when I run into fellas who are dressed very "ethnic"...like the cats recently immigrated from Africa or the Middle East...they seem to get it right away and there seems to be sort of acceptance and approval...sort of: "...right...we're doing our thing...this is good...mutual respect..." This extends to the guys who are obviously USA born and bred but who decide to make a statement about their African roots by adding some African elements to their everyday dress. It's really strange that there seem to be so many "conventional Americans" who have problems with it.

It just makes me want to try harder. I try to dress as neatly and as well as possible...I figger that it makes the point that the kilt is just an element of my clothing and not anything out of the ordinary.

Good luck with 'em...hope they get the message.

Best

AA

[Nighthawk]

Yes, in America, we're not Celtic Americans, we're just plain white. We have no culture of our own. It sounds like this guy had preconcieved prejudices. He wasn't going to let a man wear a skirt in his office, regardless of how professional you looked. I kinda saw it coming. I doubt he even actually looked at you. My kids do the same thing with food that's new to them. They put a little in their mouths, spit it right back out, say "I hate it!" and go for the mac and cheese. Same thing. You tried to give fillet minon and all he wanted was the same chewed over garbage. What a shame.

[DTrain]

Also remember that we don't always see the end result from the beginning of the journey. It is like a pebble dropped into a lake what starts as a small ripple can get bigger and bigger. Even though you didn't get the answer you wanted now, a seed may have been planted

I agree with AZ Scot. You have made it known your intent and desires, not only to your coworkers but also the management. Keep chipping away at their resolve at every opportunity and try to wear them down.

Of course, you could try to just wear it and force the issue. If it came down to it, I doubt they would fire you but it probably would seriously annoy them to have to deal with the confrontation (and potential discrimination). You would likely win a legal battle but I sense that you don't want that.

For the future, remember that it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

[rollerboy_1979]

I think it's ridiculous to say that a person can't look business-like in a kilt. I wore my Gordon tartan and Argyle jacket to work on Halloween, and my customers went wild over it. Has anyone been to Bermuda? Businessmen routinely wear their three-piece, pinstripe suits with matching Bermuda Shorts, long hose, and wing tips. It looks great if you ask me. We're probably a long way from acceptance in the workplace, but as has been mentioned earlier, most people see a man in a kilt and appreciate his good looks and confident demeanor. That's been my experience of late as I wear mine more and more.
Cheers!
RB