Family objections to wearing your kilt

[vipermcgee]

My 4-year-old daughter said, "Daddy, why are you wearing a skirt?" when I first tried my new kilt on.

When I threatened to wear mt kilt on vacation (starts in less than 2 weeks), my wife asked if we could take separate vehicles. If I don't post kilted vacation pictures, you'll all know she meant it!

[hospitaller]

I live in the US, while my entire family is in Chile.

I did not start to actively display my proud Scottish ascendency until after I arrived.

So, my maternal family (the scottish side, as opposed to my paternal german/spanish) has never seen me kilted.

First time I've sent them pictures, sometime last year, they did not understand what my wearing of 'the scottish skirt' (as it is called in spanish) meant.

My mother is now all for it along with my uncles. My brother claims to be all for it and good to know about our heritage and all of that...but stopped short of accepting my offer to send him his own kilt to wear.

So, more than objections, I would say that they were surprised at first, enthusiastic later. But the comfort of 9000 miles of separation makes it easy for them to accept kilts.

.

[Nick the DSM]

I live in the US, while my entire family is in Chile.

I've did not start to actively display my proud Scottish ascendency until after I arrived.

So, my maternal family (the scottish side, as opposed to my paternal german/spanish) has never seen me kilted.

First time I've sent them pictures, sometime last year, they did not understand what my wearing of 'the scottish skirt' (as it is called in spanish) meant.

My mother is now all for it along with my uncles. My brother claims to be all for it and good to know about our heritage and all of that...but stopped short of accepting my offer to send him his own kilt to wear.

So, more than objections, I would say that they were surprised at first, enthusiastic later. But the comfort of 9000 miles of separation makes it easy for them to accept kilts.

.

Similar here as well. The maternal side(Chilean as well) accepts it. However only my dad has seen me wear it, doesn't like it and none of the paternal side as seen me wear one but knows that I've wear them.

[Nighthawk]

Yes, best of luck in your divorce Dixie. They can be ugly and emotionally draining----find a couple good friends to lean on through the tough parts. And remember you have friends here who can help too.

From my own experience... drinking is the worst way to cope. We have a huge virtual support group here it would seem. Count me in!

[Standard]

Thankfully no problems here. Everyone in my family accepts the kilt, and likes it. I've not been around my aunt and uncle kilted, not sure what they would have to say, but don't really care either. My daughter has asked that I be kilted for her when she gets married.

[Phogfan86]

My family doesn't talk about, well, anything, really.

My mom doesn't get it, but she doesn't say anything one way or another. When one of my boys wears theirs, though, she asks lot of questions. So, she probably doesn't mind it.

My younger sister (of two) overdoes it. She oohs and aahs over the tartans and even my cheapest kilts just a little too much. It seems forced, but then, she's always been one of those people who always had just had the greatest lunch or got the most amazing Christmas present or heard the world's funniest joke. Maybe that's just her nature.

The only family member I ever keep my eye on is my (older) brother. He's clearly my closest sibling. With every passing year, the better we get along and the closer we get, despite 11 years age difference. He thinks it's a little odd, but he's never really known what to do with me, and I think he sort of envies me my lack of caring when it comes to wearing my kilt pretty much religiously on weekends, to family gatherings, to WalMart, to church, etc.

[CDNSushi]

I'm glad that people are finding this thread as a cathartic outlet for venting about some of the abounding ignorance they experience from the people they would call "family."

On the other hand, I just flipped through the last 8 pages and found myself feeling a bit angry and kind of depressed by the whole thing. All things told, this is a rather negative thread (and I'm not saying that to offend the OP because he started this thread in good faith and in hopes of getting some quality answers)...

I suppose what I'm trying to get at here is, after spending some time reading through these (mostly) terrible stories of family members who choose to be closed-minded, I would encourage everyone to go back to the General forum and read a few threads about some GREAT experiences people have had while kilted recently, especially ones involving family. My favorite thread of the week is, hands-down, Detroitpete's Shakespeare in the Park thread: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/i...508/index.html Barring that, don't forget to read through some of the light-hearted threads in the Off-Topic section -- there's some great jokes that have been posted up recently.

Anyway, rave on but just don't forget that we really mustn't dwell too much on those who would tear us down, whether they be family or perfect strangers, but choose instead to spend the precious, little time we have in this world to do what we love and surround ourselves with those who would share in our joys and passions.

Jim

[Joel]

I like that post, Jim. Very well said.

It bothered me at first when I recieved criticism for wearing a kilt. But then I started recieving the compliments soon after. Thius I learned that you can't please everyone and like the old Reggae-sounding song goes: "Don't worry, be happy." Whilst my father with a few others in my family and one or two friends hate the kilt...my mother loves it, my brother likes it (he eventually got a kilt once he saw mine) and most of my friends love it. So it's a take it as it comes and goes, I guess.

[Fit2BKilted]

Well, understanding a 5 year old (He turns five in Sep) is a challenge.

He refused to wear a kilt to the Celtic fest last weekend. Finally, on Sunday night, we got the reason out of him. He dreamed he had 3 kilts (instead of 2) and he couldn't find the third and its the one he wanted to wear.

You'll just have to go shop for it with him, then! ;-D That's Great. :-D That really puts a smile on my face... that sounds like something one of my daughters (both are close to that age) might do! Cheers & Good Luck!

[Fit2BKilted]

I too would count myself in the "better choice made second time 'round" club, as I love and get along with my second wife far greater and better (respectively) than I ever did with my first (god rest her soul----if even god will have her). But unfortunately my new found interest in my heritage and kilts started after our marriage (number two) and she claims that had she known about it before we got married she probably would not even had been interested in me. I also find that strange----same guy no matter what I am wearing (and she has seen me naked, which would bring chills to most people's spines). Does the fact that I have new found interests make me that much of a different person than she married?

j :ootd:

Regrettably, this sounds like the seeds of strife have been sown... Kilt wearing AFAIK requires a certain threshold of self-assurance in most of modern society; and, some people (with low self-esteem/self-confidence) are threatened by those who don't suffer as they do. That isn't so much a problem in and of itself, unless they are also irrationally opposed to confronting their foibles... which typically leads to hostility and resentment. You(pl.) have a rough row to hoe ahead of you; and, I hope that you and your mate are able to resolve your differences and personal issues while keeping your relationship strong and intact. Good luck!