If you're gonna do it, do it right!

[CDNSushi]

Going to work kilted, that is...

I was going to post this up a few weeks ago, but my post got derailed by the sudden bad news that hit our workplace. Any enjoyment and satisfaction I got from my "kilted at work" debut was overshadowed by what followed (but had absolutely nothing to do with my attire)... Now, I feel like I can talk about it and wanted to share what happened with my clan.

Once a year, all of the foreign teachers in our department have a formal, contract-presentation ceremony, where we receive our official "teaching appointment" letters from the city superintendent. It's a stuffy, formal affair, attendance is mandatory, and various other officials sometimes attend as well. Often they even invite members of the press to take pictures and report on it in a local newspaper (not this year, though).

Well, my direct supervisor at the college knows I occasionally wear a kilt, so when he found out I was going to this formal event, being the eternal joker he is, and always taking the p***, in jest, he dared me to go kilted.

Well, hey -- what better way to debut going to work kilted than by going balls to the wall and just showing up in full, highland attire before your boss, boss's boss, and boss's boss's boss? It's such a boring, stuffy event, I figured that I should probably add some spice & colour to it!

Besides, I'm not one to pass up such a dare, so kilted I went!

I proudly walked into the board of education in my IOS, dress sporran, Italian cut shirt with silver cuff links, designer tie, and black waitcoat. I swear, just about every single person stopped working just so they could stare in amazement, never having seen anything of the sort! (Remember, we are talking about rural Japan here)...

Well, my boss at the board, and his boss were at a loss for words, but eventually managed to ask one of my co-workers.

"Why did he dress like that?" He asked in Japanese.

"Because he's Canadian," was the reply from my co-worker.

"Do they wear kilts in Canada?"

"And America. Our countries tend to celebrate many cultures and I guess he just chose to express the fact that he's Canadian in that way."

Then, later on when I was asked by a different (Canadian) co-worker why I chose to wear a kilt, I told him that if it was good enough for the mayor of Vancouver, it was good enough for me... Lol.

Anyway, funny thing is that the superintendent never said a peep about it. In fact, I wonder if he even noticed! (He's a very old man who should've retired years ago -- there's a good chance he didn't)... The rest of the afternoon passed without incident or comment.

I never did hear back via the grapevine whether I committed a faux-pas (and believe me, if I had, I definitely would've been told by now) so I guess I can assume then that I have carte blanche to wear my kilt to work from now on, in the name of cultural education.

Now only if I can keep my job long enough to enjoy it... hehehe

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

I suppose that formal stuffy events are really the place for kilts, ya? Good for you.

[Jock Scot]

Good for you. A large proportion of visitors to Scotland appear to be Japanese and they have been coming over here for many years now. From the ones I have talked to and I have spoken to many hundreds, they have a very good knowledge of Scots history and have an even better knowledge of whisky!They are also very impressed with the kilt and amazingly many seem to know what is the correct "form" as far as highland dress is concerned. I suspect that like the Scots Highlander, the Japanese on home territory will note everything and say little, as they are far too polite.

[Jock Scot]

I suppose that formal stuffy events are really the place for kilts, ya? Good for you.

I am not altogether sure that you are correct there. But I suppose it all depends on what you call "formal stuffy events". I wear this for a walk around the countryside, going to town, visiting friends in hospital, sitting around at home and general every day wear. This outfit(less the cromach perhaps) also does for business meetings, funerals, weddings, informal dinners with family and friends. Are they " formal stuffy events"?

[BEEDEE]

Jock - is that a flask peaking out of the left pocket on the argyll?

Brian

[Ancienne Alliance]

Jock - is that a flask peaking out of the left pocket on the argyll?

Brian

Hmmm. Sure looks like one !


Best,

Robert

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

I am not altogether sure that you are correct there. But I suppose it all depends on what you call "formal stuffy events". I wear this for a walk around the countryside, going to town, visiting friends in hospital, sitting around at home and general every day wear. This outfit(less the cromach perhaps) also does for business meetings, funerals, weddings, informal dinners with family and friends. Are they " formal stuffy events"?

No, no. I did not intend to say that where you wear the kilt is a stuffy event. But that if a stuffy event needs anything, it needs a kilt.

[Ancienne Alliance]

No, no. I did not intend to say that where you wear the kilt is a stuffy event. But that if a stuffy event needs anything, it needs a kilt.

The presence of a kilt will surely transform any event (stuffy or worst) into something…electric !


Best,

Robert

[dfmacliam]

I commend you on wearing your Highland attire to your formal affair. I like to think, if nothing has been said, it has been acceptable and possibly respected, again if nothing was said, no words were required.

Thank you for sharing.

Jock, I hope I can wear the tweed half as well as you do.. I am working on gathering it all.. all I lack now is the jacket.. And soon enough I will have it too.. Thanks for your all of your great advice.

[Jock Scot]

No, no. I did not intend to say that where you wear the kilt is a stuffy event. But that if a stuffy event needs anything, it needs a kilt.

Aha, I see what your driving at now. I am sorry if I misunderstood.