A day of days ...

[Derek]

Its been a very very long time since I've had any negative comments about my Cilt, especially given with any 'real negative conviction'. Last Saturday, Elaine and myself and those of our friends who could make it, took of yet again to The Red Cow, in Pontsticill. Great real ale, really cheap home cooked food, log fire etc .. its a 'hillwalkers' pub. It takes 2 buses to get there from the city centre. While we were waiting for the second little hopper bus to take us up into the hills, we spent the time having a pint n coffees in the local Wetherspoons pub. Here we are.

Just below the picture on the left are a few guys on a table, all retired ex Miners or Quarry Men I guess ... they were a hardened bunch. When we got up to go, the first one started ... 'so wheres u from then'. I said a sentence or two and then I was told its pathetic how a man can wear a skxxt. Trouxxrs are for men etc etc. I'll say now that I am thick skinned so it did'nt bother me one bit. The rest of our gang were already out the pub and on route to the bus stop. Anyhow I'm stood there taking all this 'gip' from em when another guy comes back from the bar to join them. He was just like the rest of them, asked me a question, I replied, then he gives me the 'real hard man's look' .. guess you know what I mean. Anyhow, I said to them all, as I was going to go 'I take it then you have'nt got any Cilts in your wardrobes at home' .. this was followed by several 'expletive' words, not for this forum. I simply said ' tara boys, see you next time no doubt'. Although we have been in this pub dozens of times, thats the first time that has happened. I then caught up with everybody, and just as I did 2 cars gave a beep .... I thought its gonna be one of those days. We got to the bus stop only to find an elderly guy waiting. He looked up and said 'Oh look, a fairy'. I'm starting to laugh now. I explained it is a welsh cilt but he still wanted to call it a fairy skixxt. Still we got on the bus and went on our way. He got off a few stops before and headed to this other pub. The time in the Red Cow was fine, until I went to the loo. Who was sat at the bar but this guy. He obviously doe's a little pubaround on a Sat. 'Ahh' he said 'Its the welsh fairy again'. I put my hand on his shoulder as I passed and said 'Indeed it is'. Anyhow to cut a long story short we eventually headed back home, and when we got off the bus in the city centre we all piled straight into a LLoyds Bar (they are tied in with Wetherspoons). The place was jam packed with all ages, mainly young people who who all out ready to start clubbing early, but it made a very pleasant change to the day, that no one there made any comment (or even noticed really) that I was wearing my Cilt. While I was at the bar about ten girls all queued up behind me all dressed as police women, out on a hen hight .. they even had a 'blow up doll' with em. They made a space so as I could get away from the bar with the beers and made no comments at all. Does'nt the Cilt/Kilt evoke many interesting reactions and non reactions .. as Spock would say 'Fascinating'. Sorry If I bored you with this tale, but just thought I post it.
Iechyd Da
Derek

[Hamish]

Derek, an interesting day indeed! If nothing else, I think your various experiences on Saturday illustrate perfectly one of the present-day differences between those who are older and set in their ways, and the more accepting young. (The fact that the negativity was experienced in a rural area whilst the opposite was experienced in the city, might also have something to do with it!)

On the whole, I suspect that youngsters - not teenagers necessarily, but those in their 20s/30s -are much more likely, or able, to be broad-minded and open to others who 'do their own thing'.

Teenagers roam in packs and have difficulty accepting the ways of anyone not in their own age-group. Young adults are just begining to find their paths through life and are aware that we are all individuals, and the older folk (those of my age perhaps - but NOT me!) have seen it all and are of the opinion that those who are younger are wasters, and that the world they themselves have built with their blood, sweat and tears is about to fall apart because of all the 'weirdos' following in their footsteps.

I am just so envious of you and Elaine who have such a great group of close friends with whom you can share all these outings. My friends all live many miles away and so I get to see them infrequently - my various neighbours on the other hand, with whom I get on very well, are just not the sort of people who want to go out for an evening or to socialise, especially during the winter months!

[McMurdo]

It does sound like an interesting day, to me it shows the ignorance of the general public, and as Hamish put it those set in thier ways. Hopefully with enough exposure reactions like those described in the various pubs you visited will change, however I think not.

Unfortunatly there will always be those who will not accept you for who you are, but I always ask myself, how important is it anyway, I know its a hard when it is happening but you seem to have handled it with grace, and in your stride. I suppose its all a part of wearing a kilt in the 21st century. I have found of late that I no longer get that type of reaction, or maybe I am just ignoring it now.

Hopefully your next outing will be more successful, it just takes one person like that to ruin your day if you let them. Thanks for sharing your story with us Derek I alway like to your pictures and read your stories.
so to sum up I have to say that for that situation consider the source,
and continue to be your own man.

[Splash_4]

Derek, it sounds like you handled it well. Hope it did not deter your enjoyment of the day out with friends

[Derek]

Ham .. What you say is very true. NOW! .. whats all this about 'envious' and friends. You have met a few of them (not in this particular pic I know).. and they are all your friends too! They all can't wait till your coming back over for an adventure with us up to the Waterfalls/Caves etc (and the Red Cow if you like .. among many others too?) and the fact that we can also throw another party for you.
McMurdo .. thanks for your post. I have been wearing my Cilt out and about for a few years now and what occured on Sat certainly did not spoil my day. It goes in one ear and out the other. As you say, I am my own man and will continue to be. Not only does wearing a Cilt/Kilt give an individual confidence but it also gives them 'very broad shoulders'.
Iechyd Da
Derek

[McMurdo]

McMurdo .. thanks for your post. I have been wearing my Cilt out and about for a few years now and what occured on Sat certainly did not spoil my day. It goes in one ear and out the other. As you say, I am my own man and will continue to be. Not only does wearing a Cilt/Kilt give an individual confidence but it also gives them 'very broad shoulders'.
Iechyd Da
Derek

That is very true about the confidence and broad shoulders, I did not mean to treat you as someone new to the experience as I know that you have been wearing the Kilt,/Cilt as long or longer than I have, sorry if I came off that way.

[Warlock]

You handled it well. It not your fault that there are ignorant small minded people out there. I usually turn, face them and in a fairly loud voice tell them " If your really interested in picking a fight with an off duty officer, let's go outside. Oh, by the way, leave your next of kin contact info with the bar tender. Someone will need to indentify your remains!" They always shut up and leave. Works every time!

[Hamish]

Ham .. What you say is very true. NOW! .. whats all this about 'envious' and friends. You have met a few of them (not in this particular pic I know).. and they are all your friends too! They all can't wait till your coming back over for an adventure with us up to the Waterfalls/Caves etc (and the Red Cow if you like .. among many others too?) and the fact that we can also throw another party for you.

Derek, I am very well aware of my good friends over there in Wales, but that is what I mean: my friends aren't geographically close enough to have all the outings and excursions such as you manage to fit into your lives. Actually, it has just struck me that the only people I am able to think of as friends, I have got to know through X Marks and earlier kilting forums, and that is why they are scattered across the UK and beyond!!

Believe me, as soon as Spring or early Summer show their pretty faces, I'll be heading for South Wales again - and that's a threat!!

[Robin]

Derek you handeled it very well and you're a confident (battle hardened ) Cilt wearer...the odd nasty remark won't hurt you!

Always some narrow minded people who see anyone walking in a different direction as the grey masses as a danger to society. Sad for them!

See you and Elaine in Dumfries...looking forward to meet you both!

[David Dalglish]

Well done Derek, as kilt wearers we must take the good with bad, you handled the situation well.