Kilted In Class: A Minor Victory

[Whidbey78]

I wanted to share a recent experience with the rabble, but didn't want to jack Derek's recent thread.

I have two night classes(Tuesdays and Thursdays) each week, and usually have no time to change clothes between work and school. The classes are small with six students, and pretty informal--we all use first names, there is some levity and joking, etc. My instructor, who is actually several years younger than I, knows I wear a kilt, and she has seen me around town kilted, but I had never worn one in her class. Last Tuesday I had time to change clothes, clean up, etc, so I opted to kilt up. I wore a casual batch of kit--American Heritage USAK Casual, 6 inch hikers with heavy wool socks, BK sporran, a t-shirt under a sweater and a black flatcap(sorry Jock). Casual, but by no means slovenly or loud.

Naturally, being the only man in the class, and a guy in his mid thirties in a class full of women in their [very] early twenties, it did cause a minor commotion when I first arrived. They all know I'm a kiltie, and a couple of them had already encountered me kilted, but still there were a few comments and some talk, but it was all very positive. Actually, some comments made me wish I had worn a kilt when I was single! By the time the class started it had all calmed and we got down to business and all went normally for the next two hours. Or so I thought.

After class, Sara (the instructor) asked to me stay back for a moment. Once we were alone she told me to not wear a kilt in class again as it was a distraction for the other students. I asked why she thought it was disruptive, especially since I sit in the back of the room behind everyone else. She said that it was keeping them from concentrating, whether they could actually see me or not, and considering my age I should really know better. I very politely asked if she could have a similar conversation with a couple of the women in the class, because I can see them and they tend to wear shorts that rival the ones Daisy Duke was famous for, and frankly, they have the goods to cause traffic accidents.(I didn't actually mention the traffic accident part to her--that is simply to illustrate that they could easily be a distraction.) She explained that their shorts, skimpy as they are, fit within the college's dress code. This is where I usually get mad. Somehow, I maintained an even tone as I let her know that I had already checked on that, and my kilt is not only acceptable but protected by the school's policy on ethnic attire. Also, from time to time Dr. McEwan(her boss) wears a kilt while lecturing. He had asked me several times why he doesn't see me kilted while on my way to class. In fact, he has encouraged me to wear it and extends invitations to Celtic based events he hosts (which unfortunately I have not yet had time to attend).

She stood there, silent, for almost a minute. Then she said that I made a valid point and that, when all things are considered, it is unfair to ask a student to change how he's dressed when there are other students who are dressed in more provocative clothing, especially considering that it was worn in a tasteful manner. She added that I could wear the kilt to her class in the future, and she praised me for the way I presented my case. I think the truth is that she knew my next stop would have been Dr. McEwan's office and it would have been best to just let it go. Still, I was more than happy to claim this little victory, regardless of what turned the tide in my favor. I'm not very patient when it comes to this sort of thing, but I maintained my composure and tone and came out on top.

What really topped it off was that when I went downstairs and out the door toward my truck two young ladies from the class(one of them being one of those "distractions" I mentioned) were hanging around and decided to chat and flirt with the "Old Guy"(as they often put it), until my wife called and said to get my butt home. I think what they really wanted was to see just how the heck I get in my truck while kilted!

Still, I won a small battle and got a little boost for my ego too!

[Father Bill]

Well done. Your instructor lost her perspective; you kept yours. Slainte!

[Tobus]

I have to agree with her: you presented your case very well. Sounds like she knew she was overstepping her authority and she had the good sense to back off once she realized she might be setting herself up for a run-in with her boss over it!

I am surprised, though, to see college-level instructors being that nosy about such things. Especially the whole "disruption" argument. This is not high school. College students are (presumably) adults, and don't need a teacher to make them mind like children.

[dutchy kilted]

I see law school in your future. Good job!

I know I wish I was kilted when I was single as well.

[macwilkin]

Post deleted.

[piperdbh]

I am surprised, though, to see college-level instructors being that nosy about such things. Especially the whole "disruption" argument. This is not high school. College students are (presumably) adults, and don't need a teacher to make them mind like children.

You've not been on campus lately, have you?

[Nick the DSM]

I'm in university and none of my teachers say anything, including the small class of 22. Everyone is cool with it.

[madmacs]

You've not been on campus lately, have you?

Rofl

[Chirs]

Tobus, it is unfortunate that being an instructor in higher education (where one would expect that everyone in the class qualifies as an adult) is not enough to guarantee a mature perspective. I arrived to a statistics class kilted and, although it did cause something of a stir among the students, it was the instructor who insisted that I a) answer The Question and b) prove it. He - yes HE - kept asking for perhaps 5 minutes (askinig? more demanding) that I show everyone what was under the kilt! No matter how I answered, he kept going until he realised that it was not going to happen and got on with the class. Being an adult does not always entail acting like one.

[Ryan Ross]

Fantastic story, sir! Best one I've read on here in a long time. And yes, you did one heck of a good job of striking a firm but respectful blow for kilt wearing.

I am surprised, though, to see college-level instructors being that nosy about such things. Especially the whole "disruption" argument. This is not high school. College students are (presumably) adults, and don't need a teacher to make them mind like children.

Me too. I got two degrees, while kilted at least half of the time, and all of my profs either loved it, or seemed indifferent. Frankly, it sounds terribly immature of your instructor to have tried to start trouble for you, all over a few yards of well intentioned wool and some smiles from the ladies. Poo poo on her.

I arrived to a statistics class kilted and, although it did cause something of a stir among the students, it was the instructor who insisted that I a) answer The Question and b) prove it. He - yes HE - kept asking for perhaps 5 minutes (askinig? more demanding) that I show everyone what was under the kilt! No matter how I answered, he kept going until he realised that it was not going to happen and got on with the class. Being an adult does not always entail acting like one.

...and that's down right disturbing!