Rude reactions to kilts

[Alaskan]

In "So You're Going to Wear The Kilt" by J. Charles Thompson he says:

"But every time you hear someone laugh, or whistle, or honk his horn, or say, "Hey!", you will be sure it is meant for you. Of course, it isn't. Next time you are on the street-in trousers, I mean-make a point of niticing how many laughs, whistles, horns, and shouts you hear every day and ingnore completely! Then when you blossom forth in your kilt, ignore them just as completely! They will not have anything to do with you except in your heated imagination."

Personally I have not had anyone make rude comments, or act hostile towards me in my kilt.

I have had people ask why I was wearing a skirt, but when I explained that it is a kilt and it is traditional Scottish male clothing they have understood.

I was wondering how many of you have actually had someone make a comment that was rude or have experienced hostility for kiltwearing. Also, those of you who experienced hostility... what was the comment and how were you dressed? Was it a traditional kilt? Was it a Utilikilt or similar garment? Were you wearing a sporran? Kilt hose? Flashes?

[Graham]

Good advice from Thompson.

Re. rudeness, I get lots of looks from men and women all the time, every day. But most negative comments are from those to whom a kilt will always be a skirt (as in womens clothing) no matter how much you explain, or no matter how you accessorise it.

Those deadheads are also best ignored.

[Alaskan]

I get lots of looks from men and women all the time, too. However, I get them here no matter what I am wearing. I don't consider looks rude because I am not a mind reader and don't know what they are thinking.

I saw a guy in a club a few years ago wearing a kilt. I looked at him and thought "That is so cool. I wish I could buy a kilt." I probably was staring and then I leaned over to my friend and pointed the guy out and told my friend how cool I thought it was, and he agreed. Not being able to hear what we were saying he might have thought we were making fun of him.

I don't worry about people looking. They could just as easily be thinking "Wow that is cool." as "Why is he wearing a skirt?"

[Blu (Ontario)]

Interesting post...
I have to admit that I've never had what I would call a truly threatening remark. Sure I get lots of smart-*** quips. Usually something along the lines of "what happen...you lose a bet" or "so where's the bagpipes?". Also get the occasional shout from a safe distance across a parking lot. Nothing terribly acrid. Mostly I just get cautious double takes from men and smiles and compliments from women. I only wear traditional Scottish tartan kilts when out and about. usually I leave the sporran and flashes home but I always wear green, black, or wheat kilt hose... sometimes up and sometimes down. I would agree that there is a natural tendency to assume that honks and whistles are directed at you if you have set out to stand out from the crowd. Whether it is or is not...well, assumptions will have to suffice.

blu

[GMan]

I know people talk, but as far as rudeness the ones who give it to me are either so drunk they cannot even stand up (which I try to avoid) or the ones who have problems with their masculinity. It seems for every rude reamark I get I have at least five positive remarks.

Most remarks I get, either positive or negative, are in areas of town that usually do not see men in kilts except for special occaisions. That is one of many reasons that I wear a kilt. I am sure that some of the comments that I do not hear are positive and wishing and that is what I think when I see people talking.

I did see some rude behavior when I saw this one guy running over to me in a parking lot and not looking where he was going and almost knocking over a lady just to say to me "cool threads man"

Glen

[KhensU]

Let's see, I've had a range of reactions. I remember one of my first outings locally when standing on a bus heading home (the 106 for you local folks) and hearing some description made around the "B" word from some young males whom I had my back to. I've had a few "Scotland sucks" and giggles. I've also had my share of the smart-**** remarks, "Where's you bagpipes?" etc. But then I've had some good comments too, mostly from old ladies about how I've made their day. I remember being in Victoria on my honeymoon (where I also was asked by a outgoing young little girl in the Empress Hotel lobby why I was wearing a skirt) walking down Warf Street past an outdoor restaurant where a man at a table made the comment "Well that's the first bit of culture I had expected to see here". And then at the other end of the scale, I've had the "Oh cool!", "What family is that?" and "Here's your Grande Mocha, Hon." from the girl at Starbucks.

[Freelander Sporrano]

I havn't reached the stage where I wear the kilt everyday (I have a Bear on order for more daily use) as my dress kilt is for best.
I found when I have worn it I get looks and smiles.However when I turned up for the anual 17 May parade with the school my son and daughter go to. There were no comments at all a lot wear "Bunad" regional costum.The comments came the next few day's wondering why I havn't done it before, and even "Were you wearing that last year?"Another was at a rather bozzy company dinner where in the company of friends some idiot persisted in trying to lift my kilt. Let's just say he didn't persist too long.
Rudness and sniggering come from the ignorant people who havn't the gutts not to be a sheep.
Long live the Kilt and those who wear them. 8)

[Sciuropterus]

I have certainly noticed my awareness of my surroundings is at a higher level when I am out & about in my kilt, becuse you ARE being noticed, most people are too polite to stare openly.

I was at the Como Zoo in St. Paul with my wife last week wearing a tartan kilt & sporran with work boots, T-shirt and denim jacket. There were LOTS of hispanic and asian families there, and I was surprised how few of their kids had any reaction, while I caught several "white" kids were tugging on their parents sleeve and pointing anxiously at me. I use a cane if I have to do a lot of walking, and was prepared to say something like "What? You've never seen a guy with a cane before?" but nobody said anything directly to me, positive or negative.

[bubba]

Sciuropterus, that's not unusual. I've found that mostly wearing a kilt is a nonevent. Most folks don't really notice or care. The ones that do notice are mostly positive. The negatives are a very small minority and the few with big mouths and no manners are an even smaller minority. I wear kilts full time and haven't worn pants since early March. My observation is it's generally no big thing.

[phil h]

I just play it cool,ignore most things, and a polite nod or thank you for the others that are obviously for me.I look cool therefore I am cool. 8)