Do we shoot ourselves in the foot?

**STONE CHUCKER** · 8th November 04, 09:34 AM

Take all comment as they are intended... If a "Nice Skirt" comment is given and you feel it is a compliment then take it as one. Now if it is said to egg you on or as an insult then I suggest you call apon the spirit of past kilted members and in a world wind of tartan, sporran and kilt pin shower down on the fool with a fury seldom seen and make that Sucker pay the ultimate price!

That last part is a joke Hee Hee Haa Haa!

We all have plenty of witty responces for the fools of the world.

Chris

**Hamish** · 8th November 04, 09:45 AM

I try to treat all comments (not that there are many thesedays!) in like manner - with a smile and a pleasant, polite "Thank you" acknowledgement. If the comment was intended as a compliment, then the other party will be content with the response. If it was made with mischief or malice, the smile and acknowledgement utterly takes the wind from the other guy's sails because I've not risen to the bait.

**phil h** · 8th November 04, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by JohnAllen

A bit off the topic but..Just checked out your gallery again Phil.. very sharp! That's a Black Watch right? That tartan looks good on just about anybody. You guys are getting me hankering for a Tartan Kilt.. Who's the lucky girl?

yep it's black watch, thanx, it's from
http://www.21stcenturykilts.co.uk/up...age=2100002142
the girl is my friend's sister, that was at her engagement party to a guy called derek.

**GMan** · 8th November 04, 10:17 AM

I just ignore people, unless it is an actual face to face comment. Most people are just curious, and really want to know, so they get the smile and the many questions asked get answered with a lot of fun and frivolity attached. Just make it a ton of fun and people will not take offense. I really do not get defensive if they ask questions, and you can tell it they are sincere.

BTW Magnus, great picture, you look like you are ready to take on the day, all happy and comfortable, good way to start the week!

**Magnus Sporrano** · 8th November 04, 11:59 AM

Well sadly one of my chums is in trouble with Human Resources. He made a colorful comment that would have been rude if it were from anyone else, but we are the types that exchange sharp barbs all the time in good fun. His "Pretty skirt" comment was clearly in good fun. A lady at work, who is part Scot, claimed offense and filed a complaint. It doesn't matter that I wasn't offended because she was.

I'm all for workplace diversity but sometimes people get a wee bit too sensitive. I think some folks like to add drama to their lives when they are bored and require entertainment.

**al' Sporrano** · 8th November 04, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by Magnus Sporrano

Well the guy that took my picture at the front door and called me to say "nice skirt" is still at it.

He posted the pic online for everyone to see.

http://aaroncarr.multiply.com/journal/item/23

Nice one Magnus. Read the comments which seem good natured - and you give as good as you get.

Al

**al' Sporrano** · 8th November 04, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by Magnus Sporrano

Well sadly one of my chums is in trouble with Human Resources. He made a colorful comment that would have been rude if it were from anyone else, but we are the types that exchange sharp barbs all the time in good fun. His "Pretty skirt" comment was clearly in good fun. A lady at work, who is part Scot, claimed offense and filed a complaint. It doesn't matter that I wasn't offended because she was.

I'm all for workplace diversity but sometimes people get a wee bit too sensitive. I think some folks like to add drama to their lives when they are bored and require entertainment.

Oh Boy, I can relate to this Magnus. In my job, diversity regulations have pushed things way beyond common sense. I hope this isn't going to be the end of your kilt wearing at work.

Al

**Raphael** · 8th November 04, 01:13 PM

I never got defensive when people called my kilt a skirt because they are right for most parts. Kilts look skirts. I can't fault people for that. AFter all, kilt is not a every day word for most people.

Just approach the question with a sense of humour. you will live longer.

**Rigged** · 8th November 04, 08:13 PM

I hope this isn't going to be the end of your kilt wearing at work.

I can't imagine that a woman would make an issue of a guy wearing a kilt... well, actually I can.

**Magnus Sporrano** · 8th November 04, 08:37 PM

I didn't get anything today that would get me to stop wearing a kilt at work; if anything, I am emboldened to step it up a bit and get some more kilts. In fact, I put down a deposit on kilt #2 with Rocky today.

One of the guys that was giving me the worst attitude about it today wrote me a private email tonight after he got home, put his prejudice aside, and asked me respectfully to tell him more about it. This was a big change from the "cute legs" and "aren't you in the wrong bathroom" comments.

I took him at his word, talked a little about the cultural side of why I wear a kilt, and about the practical side. To try to help him understand the cultural connections a bit, I pointed out that as a black man his cultural connections probably span the African continent just as mine as a white man span the European continent, and there are traditions all over Africa of men wearing unbifurcated garments such as the Great Bubu. This really hit home with him, and emboldened him to consider wearing garments celebrating his African roots to work without concern for the reactions of the small minded. I think it helped that maybe he saw he was being petty with me earlier and I didn't let it get to me at the office.

If nothing else, I've opened the floodgates a bit to make it easier for people to celebrate their various cultural backgrounds and maybe liven up the office a bit. It's really depressing to see people of all different ethnicities all wearing the same bland khaki slacks and polo shirts day in and day out.