The "Don of Fear"

[Manxstralian]

In the interests of science, in the five days since this thread started I've not donned trousers and kept a record of the responses I've had. Keep in mind this is only holding true for Melbourne, Australia, and I live in the inner city. Also, I have been in a moving vehicle twice in this time (a (taxi) cab to and from a party), otherwise I walk everywhere. In this time I've calculated I've walked about 30km, both day and night, alone and with one or two others.
I wore my Black Watch predominantly, but on two days my Manx Blue, always wear dark self-coloured kilt hose with knitted garters, and a plain black "regimental style" sporran, except at the party which had a "ceremonial" theme, where I had a pocket square, rose in my lapel, and my silver cantled wallaby fur sporran.
Also because it's getting cold here, I wore a tie, waistcoat and often a charcoal tweed jacket (I do find a higher level of formality makes the kilt less of an issue, based on previous experience).

The results so far (I'm considering doing this for a week in total, assuming I can get some hose to dry);
One obnoxious drunk (at the aforementioned party) asked if I was naked under my kilt, who got my obnoxious drunk response (implying I was also obnoxious and drunk): "close your eyes and open your mouth" (sorry if anyone is offended by that, but it without fail ends the conversation),
Three "you look fantastic" comments from complete strangers (one young man (25ish), and two women (about 30ish),
Sixteen "come hither" looks from young ladies (I should have kilted in my single days!),
One "Here's my number, give me a call", which has never happened to me in the past (as above!!!),
Three "going somewhere special?" questions from shopkeepers,
And one free pint from a Scotsman at a pub. (I also got a very "light" bar tab at the same place, which may have been simple miscalculation, but I don't think so).
Of course, my friends all complimented me, but they aren't the point of the exercise. And also as a self-employed guitar technician, I have a lot of leeway with my customers, so I haven't included their responses.

So from this I can only assume that if people notice the kilt, you have a less than 5% chance that you're going to get a negative response, and overwhelmingly it will boost your confidence to kilt on in future.

So, I say go with it! You have nothing to fear but fear itself.

Cheers,

Cameron