Kilted in Niagara-On-The-Lake

[mexpiper]

Just thought I would share this adventure.!

My friends and I had plan a shopping adventure to Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontatio, Canada
[URL="http://www.niagaraonthelake.com/index/jpage/1/p/Home/content.do"]URL]
So I called my friend to confirm the time, and she asked if I was going to wear my kilt. I said maybe. So I arrive at the house kilted. She hands me a package from my friend in Milwaukee and it contains a t-shirt, on the front is " got kilt?" on the back is "beware of stiff breezes". (did not wear it, because its a bit cold). Over the border we go, into the duty free shop. I get a few comments positive comments form people. While waiting in the lobby.. a boy about 8/9 years old comes walking by, sees me, quickly turning away, starts walking away... turns his head and watches me... i can see him out of the corner of my eye walking away looking over his sholder almost walks into a table.

Stop for lunch at the Angel Inn, had "Bangers and Mash", a lady says "looking good! always like a man in a kilt!". While waiting on the street an older lady asks "wheres your pipes?" "In the car" was my reply. As the group of them walk away. I hear them say to each other I wonder if he is comando. A guy in the group, says" its regimental and they dont wear anything underneath".

A few stares from people trying not to stare.. but alot of head nodding in my direction. Some people ask me if i am cold, I said not at all!

The most negative comment is from this older women, while i was in the Scottish Loft, purchasing my christmas puddings and chocolates. The man ringing me out says what tartan is that ? "New York City Tartan, O bought it here" is my reply He than looks at me " oh yeah the most well traveled kilt, I think I measured you? " He did, than he says that right it went all over the place before it got here. This women than says " I doubt that!" The clerk says to her "well you were born in Scotland" She than asks" What tartan is that? " I reply to her "its the New York City Tartan" "I've never heard of such a thing," with a scowl on her face". I started to tell her what the colors and design mean. "well i never heard of such a thing" with a scrunched up face was her reply. I wished her a nice holiday and out i went.

The funniest was a bunch of teenage boys ( about 8 of them) walking down the street, towards me .. i heard one saw look! Look! While i walk past them they look, and than say nothing, until they past me by "did you see what he was wearing?" . About 3 hours latter while on the other side of the street they walk past again, and they all look, i smile and say hello, and two say hello back!

Went into the Irish Shop to have tea, and the lady from Ireland,, says "Its great to see a man in a kilt! You do it justice!"

So that my adventure....

[turpin]

All in all, It sounds like a very positive day. I have taken to wearing the kilts out more and more and find there are very few comments, and most comments I do get are friendly, interested, and positive. Even ran into a Lakota Sioux her in Atlanta who chatted chatted me up about it. Turns out he has a Scottish ancestor named Cates.

[Rick]

In general, I have found Canada to be much more kilt aware than the USA. However, when at Niagara Falls a couple of years ago, two ladies in their 70s were walking toward me with the most fearsome scowls one could countenance. They really worked at it while staring right at me. I knew they would look back as soon as I passed. So, just after they passed, I turned around and with a huge smile waved at them. I am actually rather introverted and this is not my normal response, however, they obviously needed some lightening up. They were horified. Life goes on.

Rick

[Frank MacDuffy]

Good to hear you had some great adventures!

[Splash_4]

That is a great story. The more we get out and about and get folks used to seeing it, the less we will need to deal with the negative sides.

[cessna152towser]

Great story.

[Macman]

mexpiper, the New York City Tartan is one of my favourites, both for how it looks and what it represents. When I first heard of it, I knew I had to get it for my wife (born in Brooklyn). Some people (and I have a very close relation who is one of them), though, just don't get or don't agree with the idea of non-clan tartans; their loss.
PS I love the Scottish Loft in Niagara-On-The-Lake!

[Navyguy]

Sounds like a fun positive day.

[Uncle Ricky]

Glad to hear that you had a good day in Niagara on the Lake. I spent the best part of a day there on our 23rd wedding anniversary. I was kilted all day, and as far as I know, received hardly a second glance. It felt very natural in every way. Most enjoyable.

Cheers

[thescot]

I was kilted all day today. (12/19/06) I teach, and after the initial shock for some of my students, it was business as usual. A couple of the females made some suggestive comments, but I always asked them to put up or shut up--in a very fun manner; nothing rude or crude--they always laughed and told me how they liked the kilt.

I walked to the local coffee shop with my seniors to buy them coffee and cheese cake, and I got some very nice comments from the people I met. A couple of ladies made some very nice comments about my legs; I assurd them that I thought their legs nicer.

After work, a wee dram with a colleague at a local pub with nothing but postive smiles and comments. Then to the shopping center for a couple of Xmas presents and home.

I didn't really have a bad experience at all except for two very sheltered students who had never seen a man kilted. And they were shouted down by other students who liked the kilt.

Now I think another kilt day is in store for this week.