A Question for Those with Masculine Jobs...

[Birddog]

Looking for some advice from those who are serving right now. Perhaps Police and Firefighters might be able to help as well. I poll those who serve in "masculine" jobs. Have you worn your kilt in the company of those you work with, and what sort of reception did it get? A few I work with know I have a kilt, but I have not worn one around my coworkers yet. Just looking for some advice from those who have braved this area. We all know our coworkers can be ruthless with ribbing at times; we all have done it.
Kevin

[macneighill]

Considering my profession, it’s not always the best to wear a kilt during my shift. Most Firefighters wear them during ceremonies and such but, not for "daily wear" during their shift. As for my fellow Firefighters "accepting" it . . well, they're Firefighters. Kilts have held a place in the Fire Service here in the USA all throughout it's history, from it's beginning to present. I'm working on organizing a ceremonial detail for our Fire Department that would be kilted (an Honor Guard, if you will).

Of course, there will be "those" fellow Firefighters that will poke fun. But usually, they are the ones that don't know much about the history of the Fire Service or kilts in general. The last time members (unfortunately, I was not one of them ) of my department attended something while kilted, not one person made any kind of smart comment. Everyone knew why they were worn and were respectful.

I've found that, especially in my other job, one on one with people, they are cool with it. But, when co-workers are around "certain" people, they usually have some sort of comment to give. As if to: "show off". But that's more of ignorance than masculinity.

[northernsky]

I didn't realize jobs had gender. Would teaching be a masculine or feminine job? How about medicine? Plumbing? Electrician? I ask because I am male and a teacher, but my doctor, plumber and electrician are all female....

[Birddog]

Northern, I think you might be missing the point of the thread, or perhaps reading too much into it. No sexist conotations here. I am simply referring to traditionally masculine jobs, i.e. military, law enforcement, firefighters, etc. We all have a certain "macho" style all our own in the way we deal with our jobs, coworkers, etc. It is almost a matter of pride as to how much you can bust your coworkers chops.

Jimmy, thanks for the input. However, I should have made it clearer in my original post. I am wondering if anyone in these type jobs have gone out casually with coworkers while kilted.

[Highland Logan]

However, I should have made it clearer in my original post. I am wondering if anyone in these type jobs have gone out casually with coworkers while kilted.

I did wear my kilt while in the military to social non-uniform occasions, and since I have "retired", I wear it out to any military events to which I am invited. Remembrance Day is coming up (Nov 11) and I well wear it out well visiting the regt. I never recived anything but complements.

Frank

[macneighill]

Jimmy, thanks for the input. However, I should have made it clearer in my original post. I am wondering if anyone in these type jobs have gone out casually with coworkers while kilted.

Well honestly, pretty much everyone on my department knows several members have kilts. Other than the usual joking (kilted or non-kilted), nothing really bad. Heck, if we're not making jokes towards one another then, somethings wrong. So, with having said that, I don't think anyone is being a "tough guy" when it comes to the few of us wearing kilts. All in all, everyone respects each other and their choices. I guess that's part of what makes our Brotherhood unique :mrgreen:.

[Big Mikey]

I am a boiler operator in a lumber mill as part of an all male crew. I took a bit of flack from my team mates when I first wore the kilt to a social function and still get a rare bit of ribbing. Overall, I receive compliments on my chosen attire. Most of the guys just write it off as me being me, going against the norm. The older fellows are usually interested in what tartan I'm wearing and its significance. The ladies from the office are ALWAYS impressed and complimentary. POWER OF THE KILT!!

[Frank McGrath]

In my 30 years as a forklift mechanic, I have never met a female lift truck mech. I'm not saying there might not be one, and it sure would be interesting to meet one. I can not wear the kilt on my job. But I have worn it to several company parties and was well received by all but the most extreme rednecks. during the entertainment part of the last one, my supervisor tried to call me on my cell phone. He blew up at me the next time I came into the office for not carrying my cell phone. (Company issued). He and the women at his table all wanted to make comments about whats under the kilt. Not to my face, but they did leave several comments on my voice mail. I erased them before listening to them. These people are just morons. The nicest comments came from upper management people. I still wear it for me. No one else. Except this sunday, two people from Edinborough (sp) will be in church. I will wear it sunday. But then, I usually wear it to church anyway.

[O'Callaghan]

In my 30 years as a forklift mechanic, I have never met a female lift truck mech. I'm not saying there might not be one, and it sure would be interesting to meet one. I can not wear the kilt on my job. But I have worn it to several company parties and was well received by all but the most extreme rednecks. during the entertainment part of the last one, my supervisor tried to call me on my cell phone. He blew up at me the next time I came into the office for not carrying my cell phone. (Company issued). He and the women at his table all wanted to make comments about whats under the kilt. Not to my face, but they did leave several comments on my voice mail. I erased them before listening to them. These people are just morons. The nicest comments came from upper management people. I still wear it for me. No one else. Except this sunday, two people from Edinborough (sp) will be in church. I will wear it sunday. But then, I usually wear it to church anyway.

One of my female cousins used to drive a forklift. Granted she's not a mechanic. I doubt if she would have worn a skirt to do that job, somehow.

I've never had a macho job like hers, LOL!

Nobody in my office knows I wear a kilt, but they have never asked, and the dress code specifies trousers. Any socialising has been done right after work, without any chance to change clothes even if I wanted to.

[Thunderbolt]

The first time I wore my kilt to the shop....Oh, man....

Ruthless it was. However, I have thick skin. I put up with it for a while then I just started to get smart-a$$ed right back. We had a good time.

Then someone put a paper sign on my car, something about cross-dressing. I went back in and bluntly stated that that had crossed the line and that was the end of the over-the-top stuff.

The still gave me flack about it, but nothing ever got serious as that ever again.

For me, it was about setting the boundry. And letting them know when it was crossed, and that was that.

Wearing a kilt in an all-male, testosterone-filled environment, one must have a thick skin and be able to laugh at yourself and roll with it.

Oh, and a lot of comebacks are helpfull as well!

YMMV, but I had fun with it. It would be a lot of help to have one of your closest co-workers/buddy in on it first to go in with some backup. That was fun....(different job).

T.

P.S.- To quote a line: "A target-rich environment" would be a good place to do the introduction, as you would get a lot of attention from the lady sort, helping your cause dramatically!