Kids and Kilts

[SoulFyre777]

I've had many a youngster ask why I wear a kilt (though, it's often called a "skirt" first). I was just curious what manner of explanation you gents offer kids when asked? Even though I have two of my own, I tend to get lengthy in my wording and end up losing them before I've really helped them understand. Then I seem like just a 'weirdo that doesn't know that he's wearing a skirt'! lol I would like them to understand that it's a) perfectly normal b) comfortable and c) that it's my way of honouring my family. I could just rattle that off, I suppose but I have a feeling that the more creative of you have better responses...

[Jock Scot]

One that I grew up with and used more than a few times when English friends of my parents and their inquisitive children visited and I suspect my father got it from his father ........." Well, Jock from Ballachulish said I could." Said with conviction, it seemed to alley all other questions on the matter. It still works, I heard it used not so long ago.

[xdepuydt]

I have two thoughts about the question:
First of all, I think your attitude plays an important role in influencing the behavior of kids. If you aren’t sure about the normalcy of wearing a kilt, the children will feel your insecurity. So, I think the best is to act assured: “Yes, I wear a kilt and it is a normal thing to do” “I don’t need to explain or defend my choice of garments”.
If you want to explain to a kid, be brief and respond in an assertive way: “A kilt is not a skirt. It’s what men wear in Scotland”. Only if the child shows interest afterwards you can talk about the cultural and familial aspects of the kilt wearing.
That’s what I think about it. I hope it will help you ;)

[Chas]

Children are easy targets. They are always asking questions. Because of limited knowledge and life experience, they don't know what questions to ask. So they ask the wrong ones, or they ask in a particularly gauche way. It is cruel to punish someone because of their ignorance, especially children. The clever adult will give just enough information to satisfy any curiosity. In general, I say -

It is called a kilt. Scottish men wear them. I'm half Scottish.

If they then want to know more and ask, then further information can be given.

That being said, I do like Jocks explanation -

" Well, Jock from Ballachulish said I could."

Regards

Chas

[tulloch]

It is kilt day.

It is the most comfortable garment in the world.

I never hike in anything but a kilt - try it yourself.

Because it makes me feel really good.

I am a parade.

Because I love it.

[Spartan Tartan]

I am a parade.

This is going into rotation.

[maeah613l]

I agree with the poster who said to simply act assured. Becoming flustered, or angry, or embarrassed reinforces to a child that a kilt is "weird", and it will be very hard to wipe out that first impression. I was originally going to mention that you could say something about the fact that women wear pants and shoes, but they are different to mens'- and similarly, a kilt is different to a woman's skirt. However even THAT may be too complicated of logic for a child, and in the minds of some stray into cross dressing area- which of course is not what the kilters of this forum are aiming for.

[cable scot]

My 3yr old said this to another kid who asked about his kilt,"it's a kilt... my dad has a kilt too...where's your kilt?.....your dad will buy you one,and a sporran too."

I love my son.

[RogerWS76]

Answer to why you are wearing a skirt:

In your best brogue ...

Reeel men were weeerin kilts looong before ye lassies eeever thot abooot weeeerin a skirt!

[California Highlander]

I was at an outdoor function today with all the 5th graders (mainly 10 and 11 year olds) from my daughter's school, so lots of kids running around. Earlier in the day, I wore the kilt while walking the dog and still had it on. Before we left for the school event I asked my daughter if she would prefer me to change into shorts. She thought for a second, then said, "no, that's ok" so I went kilted. A couple of girls from a softball team I coach asked what I was wearing. One then said "it's a Scottish skirt thing" I said it's kind of like a skirt, but it's a kilt, it's comfortable and my grandmother was Scottish. They seemed satisfied. Another girl from the team also asked what I was wearing, I said a kilt, she said why, I said it's what I wear when I go walking and she was fine with that. Most of the other kids didn't even say anything or even give it a second look. Couple of parents asked where my bagpipes were. After standing around talking with another group of parents for a while, one said she liked my kilt and the woman next to me totally did a double-take. She hadn't noticed! She then said it was because I seemed totally relaxed and comfortable in it. She was right.

And now I have "Well, Jock from Ballachulish said I could." to add to the answer repertoire!