Kilt Culture

**ozone** · 30th November 07, 01:43 PM

Hey String: If you are still reading this and not hacking up a lung, go check out the journal of mundane behavior at: http://www.mundanebehavior.org

It's a site that was run by one of my best men and very good friend. It's an interesting look at stuff like kilting that many might consider out-of-the-ordinary aspects of studying sociology/anthropology. My personal favorite article was on behavior in elevators in Japan....who knew? Anyway, enjoy and we all hope you someday decide to do a paper on kilties. In the meantime, I hope you feel better.

**Ozman1944** · 30th November 07, 01:49 PM

Australian born (now in USA) but Scottish/Welsh/Cornish ancestry. Finally at 63 was "brave" enough to don a Kilt. Now I hardly wear anything else, unless certain vocational occasions demand.

**auld argonian** · 30th November 07, 01:57 PM

My gosh, Padre...I grew up with the nuns and priests in the full floor length habits...they sort of levitated around like Daleks...we weren't even sure that they had legs...a kilt is pretty mainstream compared to that nowadays, eh?

Best

AA

**Coinneach** · 30th November 07, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by string

What brought you to kilting?
What are the reactions and feelings from your significant others and your families?
What do you think makes you accepting of kilting, as it is certainly not the norm, nor does everyone accept it?

To keep a long story short, I'm closer to my mother's side of the family than my father's. My mother's side has the Scot ancestry, though I still haven't confirmed the ancestor that crossed the great pond pre-1800. It was a cousin's wedding that gave me the first undeniable opportunity to go out and get a kilt and wear it. I've been hooked ever since.

My S.O.'s reaction was, at first, embarrassment. But I didn't let that stop me. He is much more accepting now, though he always assumes the reason someone says anything at all to me when we're out is because of the kilt. (Is it THAT difficult to believe I'm just darn adorable on my own?)

As for my family, I think my brother wants one, but he's expressed some concern that the neighbors already think he's odd enough. No comment from me on that.

I grew up in a military family. We traveled...well, if not a lot, enough...I got used to meeting/becoming friends with people from all over. My job has also allowed me to travel internationally. I try, even when I can't physically blend in, to adapt or try to understand and celebrate the local customs. I've learned to toss away a lot of preconceived notions. I like to think it keeps me young.

After that, I'm too old to give up comfort and kilts are just darn comfortable.

**Ozman1944** · 30th November 07, 02:03 PM

You got it A.A. Actually Both nuns & priests had legs specially fitted after Vatican II - it got too hard to levitate once the Mass went into English. The pair I got looked rather nice, so I thought I'd show them off in a kilt...

Now we have to stomp around just like everyone else. Bummer!

**string** · 30th November 07, 02:04 PM

I am still reading and enjoying, I shall have to check out that website.

Oh and not hacking up lung, I am asthmatic so I just quit breathing. Makes life interesting for those around me, and the side effects of the medicine can be... colorful to say the least.

**Nick the DSM** · 30th November 07, 02:51 PM

1. i found out i was scottish and irish, started to look in to my roots and i liked the way kilts looked and once i had one on...hard to get out of it.
2. my friends seems to enjoy it, my scottish side of the family likes, my other family hasnt seen it yet and ive only worn the kilt a few times outside the house.
3. why not express your roots and be comfortable with it? anyone can wear a kilt and i choose to, not caring about anyone else's opinion.

**Woodsheal** · 30th November 07, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by string

Oh I know, I'm rather fond of the over-educated. It's a family tradition to have a nice degree and do a job you love that you don't need the degree for.

I have a Master's Degree in history which I'm putting to excellent use as a mail carrier for the US Postal Service

....

**Streetcar** · 30th November 07, 11:45 PM

What brought you to kilting?A friend of mine bought a couple of the very first Utilikilts. I have to admit that outwardly I gave him a hard time, but I couldn't get over how cool they looked. Eventually I took the plunge and got the fever.

What are the reactions and feelings from your significant others and your families?My wife isn't a fan, but she tolerates it in most circumstances that I want to wear it. I reciprocate by not wearing it in a situation that I think might make her uncomfortable.

What do you think makes you accepting of kilting, as it is certainly not the norm, nor does everyone accept it?
I've been in Theater my whole life. Consequently, I'm not concerned about standing out in a crowd. It's hard to embarrass me. As a career law-enforcement officer, I've grown used to being denigrated and insulted about my public actions. I long ago learned to do what I was taught was right, and follow my own path. Public opinion is both fleeting and fickle. The true man doesn't not base his actions solely on public opinion. Critics are common as rats, and no one ever put up a statue to commemorate a critic.

**sharpdressedscot** · 1st December 07, 08:19 AM

1)What brought you to kilting? I'm of Irish and Scottich descent.

2)What are the reactions and feelings from your significant others and your families? Actually, I think only my grandparents and my dad know of it. The others don't know I wear one(not yet atleast). My grandparents think it's pretty cool. My dad on the other hand....

3)What do you think makes you accepting of kilting, as it is certainly not the norm, nor does everyone accept it? I'm proud of my ancestry, one of my motttos is: You are what you are, be proud. I guess it also states that I want to be different, not calling for attention different, but I don't want to be a normal teen.