Why Do Some Take Such Offense...

[Geoff Withnell]

It's not just the Brittish forces. The disaster response team I am on also uses the BDU as a uniform. One wears a shirt under the blouse, and (optionally, depending on conditions) a jacket outside the blouse.

The "jacket" of Marine Service A uniforms (at least back in the dark ages when I was active) is technically called a blouse. And according to my tailor, the portion of a man's suit jacket from the waist to the hem is called the skirt!

[biblemonkey]

Preface-These are my feelings and no one elses. These comments are not meant to inflame or cause harm but rather to illuminate. Please do not start a flame war.

To those who got all up in arms over the use of "blouse" for female clothing, you know what I meant. A kilt is a manly garment and I feel that allowing english speaking people to refer to it as a skirt just perpetuates ignorance and brings our ancestral garb into the realm of the effeminate. I don't care if you are effeminate, gay, straight, bi, tough, weak, whatever, the kilt is a part of my heritage and I personally view it as a symbol of a strong and manly heritage and will not refer to it as a skirt. Taking my blouse comment to silly ends such as acting like I was insulting the garb of the armed forces is childish. The kilt is, to paraphrase, "the manly garb of the Highlander" and as such is no women's garment such as a "skirt". If you wish to wear a dress then be honest about it and go to Fashion Bug. Leave the kilt to those with an honest desire to wear it with pride and manly dignity.

To the OP, THIS is why some of us take offense. We are usually patient and good natured about it but stand firm in our defense of the "kilt".

[Kintail's Lost Now Found]

Amen!!!!

[Chas]

Preface-These are my feelings and no one elses. These comments are not meant to inflame or cause harm but rather to illuminate. Please do not start a flame war.

To those who got all up in arms over the use of "blouse" for female clothing, you know what I meant. A kilt is a manly garment and I feel that allowing english speaking people to refer to it as a skirt just perpetuates ignorance and brings our ancestral garb into the realm of the effeminate. I don't care if you are effeminate, gay, straight, bi, tough, weak, whatever, the kilt is a part of my heritage and I personally view it as a symbol of a strong and manly heritage and will not refer to it as a skirt. Taking my blouse comment to silly ends such as acting like I was insulting the garb of the armed forces is childish. The kilt is, to paraphrase, "the manly garb of the Highlander" and as such is no women's garment such as a "skirt". If you wish to wear a dress then be honest about it and go to Fashion Bug. Leave the kilt to those with an honest desire to wear it with pride and manly dignity.

To the OP, THIS is why some of us take offense. We are usually patient and good natured about it but stand firm in our defense of the "kilt".

Biblemonkey - if you don't want a flame-war, give up drive-by sniping. You made a mistake in your terminology, my post was to illuminate you.

This whole thread is about semantics - the meaning of words. I would suggest that many of the posters could do with buying a good dictionary.

I have not seen one post where the poster is saying that anyone is less of a man for wearing a kilt. There are those who are intent on taking offence where none has been implied or intended. If people are so upset that their wearing of the kilt could be interpreted as being effeminate, well maybe they should give up wearing it.They would save themselves a lot of stress.

Regards

Chas

[Tahshar]

When I wear the Kilt I feel many different things about it, and cannot help but reflect on my heritage and ancestry and what the kilt meant to my forebears. My step is a bit lighter, my head a bit higher, my sight a little clearer. All for this expression of who I am, and where I came from. One thing that has always surprised me is how positive the overwhelming majority of looks and comments are from strangers and friends alike when I wear it. Something else that suprises me in the face of those few who would try to make me or my attire the butt of a joke or to openly and agressively behave in a provocative manner, is how surprised they are when they learn that some people can still BE provoked. I wont be touched, nor mocked, insulted nor denigrated nor ill used by anyone. I dont act that way to others and I dont stand for it. If the best a person can do is polite silence, then I can and do strongly encourage them to do that. As to the OPs question, you have may answer, and so far I have been blessed by so many good natured and positve responses that the others simply dont matter much in the long run.

[kc8ufv]

The "jacket" of Marine Service A uniforms (at least back in the dark ages when I was active) is technically called a blouse. And according to my tailor, the portion of a man's suit jacket from the waist to the hem is called the skirt!

By "jacket" I was referencing something like a M65 Field Jacket. While visually similar to the BDU Blouse, the jacket allows for a thermal lining and possibly a hood.

[biblemonkey]

Biblemonkey - if you don't want a flame-war, give up drive-by sniping. You made a mistake in your terminology, my post was to illuminate you.

This whole thread is about semantics - the meaning of words. I would suggest that many of the posters could do with buying a good dictionary.

I have not seen one post where the poster is saying that anyone is less of a man for wearing a kilt. There are those who are intent on taking offence where none has been implied or intended. If people are so upset that their wearing of the kilt could be interpreted as being effeminate, well maybe they should give up wearing it.They would save themselves a lot of stress.

Regards

Chas

PM on it's way

In the mean time, the OP asked why some take offense to the term "skirt". I answered that question and never once did I call insult to anyone. I hope this addresses the situation and that we can let the twisting of one another's words go the way of the dodo.

Hugh

[Freedomlover]

It doesn't bug me at all.

I had a waiter comment one evening, " nice skirt". I politely corrected him. It was probably the best and most attentive service I have ever had.

My usual reply to the "nice skirt" comment is along the lines of, "Thanks, for $500 it ought to be". But since a kilt is a skirt by definition a simple thank you is really sufficient.

[Macman]

"Thanks, for $500 it ought to be".

I like that one. Good to hear from you again! It's been a while.

[O'Searcaigh]

Interesting thread. My own $.02 (and experience) though is that some people are actually giving me a compliment when they say: "nice skirt." They actually don't know that it's called a "kilt" so I don't take offense. That has taught me to always say "Thank you" when anyone makes the remark, regardless of their intentions. After all, no matter how much someone else tries, an offense cannot be taken unless one takes it. Saying "Thank you" is just being appreciative of someone who is actually giving you a compliment and a move in psychological judo for anyone who isn't.