Who acts like this?

[48th Highlander]

Ok, I am a bit miffed about a kilted experience. The first miffed kilted experience in my life.

As some may know, I wore a kilt pretty regular as a young lad in the Canuck Army. Out and about in several Canadian cities, I wore it as well. Nary a negative comment, only 60-70 year old ladies telling me I made their day, and young girls magnetized by the tartan and pleats.

Yet in my recent foray into the streets of the USA, I had a pretty negative response that makes me ask myself, "In what situation is this social behavior acceptable?"

In this land of multicultural tolerance, anti-racism, political correctness, it seemed like the same people that often scream racism would literally stop in the street, turn around laughing in such an exaggerated manner while dancing around grabbing their crotches like they were going to pee themselves. It was literally mocking. This was not just once but several times in one night, all by completely different folks. So worried am I about racism and sending the wrong message, I type this post in the most gingerly manner possible. Yet, I would not accept this type of behavior from my 7 year old, and if they indeed treated someone like this, I would certainly have something fatherly to say followed by punishment. What is wrong with people? It seems like you can wear pants around your knees, and display lovely tartan boxer shorts, but you can't wear a kilt with hundreds of years of history and tradition without being berated like a high school junior?

Of course I approach it in a very mature manner, and blow them off. Here I am nearly 2 weeks later pissed off.

[Baldybrown]

You consider the source and forget it. I find I'm able to ignore stupidity once I was finally able to accept the fact that about 20% of the population are terminally stupid and there is nothing I can do to change that statistic. You don't wear the kilt for them, you don't even wear it for the other 80% of the population who appreciate it. You wear it for you! Forget the 20%. There is nothing you can do to help them.

[dea3369]

You consider the source and forget it. I find I'm able to ignore stupidity once I was finally able to accept the fact that about 20% of the population are terminally stupid and there is nothing I can do to change that statistic. You don't wear the kilt for them, you don't even wear it for the other 80% of the population who appreciate it. You wear it for you! Forget the 20%. There is nothing you can do to help them.

AMEN to that! Also, you forget that many in the USA never leave the USA or even their own State. For them, all that tolerance, anti-racism, etc. is "stuff on TV."

[ForresterModern]

Yet in my recent foray into the streets of the USA, I had a pretty negative response that makes me ask myself, "In what situation is this social behavior acceptable?"

Ill-mannered, inconsiderate, ignorant, idgits.

[48th Highlander]

Thought I looked quite smashing myself!

[ForresterModern]

Thought I looked quite smashing myself!

And I am quite sure you did. Pearls before swine, however.

Move along, nothing to see here, move along now, please people.

[Mickey]

Welcome to the US, land of teenage idiots who wear pants down to the middle of thighs displaying their undergarments, thinking that a kilt is humorous.

[xman]

This is us and that is them. We've a tradition of kilt wearing here in Canada. People appreciate it. Even the First Nations people. I've been approached by more than one of them who interpret me as a tribal warrior, something many identify with in themselves. My kilt somehow makes us more brothers. I have been flattered.

[Gryphon noir]

Indeed. I have had the same experience with First Nations folks more than once. The first time it happened, I wasn't sure, but the guy said he was Gitksan--and "we're all jokers." But yes, there's an identification with tribal culture which I find surprising. Anything that connects people in a positive way is fine with me.

[knotty]

Its more than likely what town or area of town you are in. In my area people area very accepting of the kilt, but the closer you get to hillbilly central the less accepting people are. Its like a threat to their norm.
I wouldnt worry about it. Youre obviously the much bigger man.

Craig