Negative remark when least expected

**cessna152towser** · 27th April 06, 01:03 PM

Well I suppose it had to happen one day that some young man in a group would make a negative remark about my kilt, as from what I have read this seems to happen to the rest of you and seems to go with the territory of kilt wearing outside of Scotland. Having been out and about in Galashiels I was just coming up to the Lochcarron factory as I made my way back to my car. There were lots of youths coming the other way, in groups of four or five. As the final group of five were just going out of my line of sight as they passed alongside I heard one remark "Hey mate are you a transvestite?" As the remark was not made to my face it was easier just to walk on and pretend not to have heard or that he was addressing one of his own group, which is what I did but I really wonder what would have happened if I had turned round and explained that the kilt and sporran are more distinctly male garments tham the unisexed jeans which the youngsters were wearing? One wonders what gets into the adolescent mind to make them open their mouths and put their foot in it. Is it jealousy that they can't yet afford their own kilt? Is it envy that an older man can feel secure and confident to stride out in a kilt while teenage peer pressure causes them to wear jeans? Is it a dare between the group to see what they can get away with without being challenged? Anyway I won't let the remarks of one immature youngster put me off kilt wearing.

**Mike1** · 27th April 06, 01:08 PM

Neds are neds.

**Caradoc** · 27th April 06, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by cessna152towser

"Hey mate are you a transvestite?"

I got this comment once.

"No, but one of my co-workers is - if you're so interested in hooking up that you're asking complete strangers, I think I can arrange a date for you."

His fellows gave him hell for that one.

**bangkok kilt** · 27th April 06, 01:19 PM

The insecurity of those that lash out is truly amazing.

I like the your 'no response' response. Most of the people who make remarks are probably looking for attention of their own and arguing with them only satisfies them, it doesn't prove anything to them.

**Kilted KT** · 27th April 06, 01:32 PM

the lengths teenagers will go to in an effort to impress themselves is astounding. I agree that the best way to deal with it is retort in such a manner that the commenter's friends give him his just deserts. Far superior than actually acting out in anger or dipleasure.

besides, do you really want to lower yourself to the level of some bonehead kids trying to get a rise out of you? I think not.

**Valencian Kilted** · 27th April 06, 01:34 PM

well.... that's my only fear for my summer trip,... I'm a big guy enough (100 kgs.), and just 33, so I don't consider myself at all as an easy pidgeon to be hunted, but.... I've never been at all easy to keep calm on those situations!

¡Salud!

T O N O

**Southern Breeze** · 27th April 06, 01:37 PM

Excellant response from a kilted gentleman!

**Caradoc** · 27th April 06, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by Valencian Kilted

I don't consider myself at all as an easy pidgeon to be hunted

Nor I. I've actually done some practice and workouts in the "great kilt," and I've no doubt that it'd actually be easier in a philibeg.

It was rather interesting, working with a jo staff while trying not to tangle up the ends of the staff in the various folds.

Grappling and pugilism aren't much different in a kilt than clothed, though.

All in all, I'd rather depend on my wits than my fists.

**switchblade5984** · 27th April 06, 01:40 PM

just not worth the time....

**Caradoc** · 27th April 06, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by Southern Breeze

Excellant response from a kilted gentleman!

I very much agree, and had my own experience been with someone speaking sotto voce instead of up in my face, I likely would have ignored the comments, too.