How does what "they" think affect what you wear?

[Guinness>water]

Hey Rocky, whenever you send one to the Oklahoma panhandle or North of Lubbock(in Texas) let me know so's I can welcome them.

[ohiopiper]

Here's one to shatter preconceptions: When I was in the Navy we had a Mess Specialist (who was a no-bull gourmet chef, btw). If the description were lifted from "Blazing Saddles" it would be "very black and very kilted". His last name was MacLeod.

I'd go through the senior NCO line at chow hall and my mouth would water at some of the stuff this guy could pull out of his hat. Omellettes, mongolian BBQ, whatever, all the time. And it was by request! Just like a resteraunt.

[Alan H]

I was given the hairy eyeball and snickers from three college aged guys who never said a word directly to me. The cute 20 something waitress said they'd been bugging her for hours. As i paid my bill she slipped me a note that said to the effect of "they've been asking for my number and now they think i've given it to you."

Awesome. Nothing but magnificent. You just made my day with this.

[Nighthawk]

Well, in Denver, it seems that the stereotype is that a man in a kilt is by default a bagpiper on the way to a gig. I could be in a modern kilt, wearing work boots and an Iron Maiden tour shirt, and invariably will get the "Are you playing somewhere today?" question. My usual answer is "Yeah, I play all the time. Never take life too seriously!"

[Kiltboy]

As an FYI, we probably send at least a kilt a day to Texas or Oklahoma. There are a LOT of kilt wearers down there.

Well I hope one of them is me. Can't wait for my PA tartan.


What do THEY think about the kilt? Don't really care anymore.

Call it an occupational hazard. Being an adult educator, and being reviewed/evaluated afer every single class, you develop a tough skin. You learn to listen to opinions and filter the ones that are truly important and constructive. Same holds true to the general public and what THEY think about my kilt. When it comes to my kilt, I'm here to please me, not you.

[Morris at Heathfield]

Since adolescence I have yet to wear the kilt outside the context of a pipe band uniform, so I suppose what "they" might think does affect what I wear. On the other hand, I really don't yet have much to wear with my kilt that isn't pipe band regalia. Is that a reason or an excuse? I'm not really sure.

Then again, I'll be wearing white hose at my first non-gig kilted outing, so maybe I really don't care what "they" think.

(Although, to be honest, if I wasn't watching my money so closely I'd have a pair of navy hose by now, not so much because I care what people think as because I just think it looks better.)

Well, in Denver, it seems that the stereotype is that a man in a kilt is by default a bagpiper on the way to a gig. I could be in a modern kilt, wearing work boots and an Iron Maiden tour shirt, and invariably will get the "Are you playing somewhere today?" question.

Wearing such an outfit, I would think it much more likely you were in a rock band.

[lukeyrobertson]

I grew up in Bruce County (yes, named after the Earl of Bruce, complete with its own Bruce County tartan). Pipebands were in every parade, and several folks wore kilts for special occasions. For the most part, the kilt is still reserved for special occasions and holidays. That would be the tradition for many parts of Canada. It would be rare for the kilt to be worn on a daily basis...for the most part. So, what do people think? I think they hold the kilt with a certain degree of respect and intrigue. I think people see the kilt as very sharp and attractive. I get the odd "skirt" comment and pretty much everything else that's been mentioned here. I ignore those comments, or take a moment to do some educating. So generally, there is acceptance of the kilt based on history... In the 18th and 19th centuries much of Canada was settled by a waves of immigrating Scots. Being a young country, there is still awareness of that history. So when people see someone wearing a kilt, I think THEY think something special must be happening.

[chrisupyonder]

In the 18th and 19th centuries much of Canada was settled by a waves of immigrating Scots. Being a young country, there is still awareness of that history. So when people see someone wearing a kilt, I think THEY think something special must be happening.

That is generally what the majority in Scotland still think. When I am out and about in my kilt, If any question is asked it is "going somewhere nice" or "off out tonight?"

But a special occasion does not mean just a wedding or Burns night etc. It can be just a meal out or a few drinks in the pub. Many older folk wear their kilts to Sunday church.
It is still the case though that one does not see kilts out and about during the day.

There is the exception when there is a football match on. The tartan army will then be out in force.

Chris.

[lukeyrobertson]

Yes, Chris. That rings true here. I have worn my kilt to church. But it is not the norm even among the older generations. Interesting isn't it?

[Seanmadra]

I keep my replies polite and simple:

"No, I'm not in a pipe band."

Why do you wear a kilt?

"Because that's what I do" That's usually all it takes and in most cases the response is positive.

First time one of my brothers saw me wear it he said "you sure walk like you know what you're doing and you're on a mission" Well, there was a pint ahead.