A man in a kilt is a friend?

[richardljohnson]

Over the past 5 months I have been wearing the kilt on our weekend outtings and I have noticed something interesting.

When I am in a book store people say 'excuse me' when the step between me and what I am looking at.

Recently at a movie 4 or 5 couples were walking out infront of my wife and I and the guy waiting to clean the theatre said "Hope you enjoyed the movie."

When walking out of Wal-mart a woman turned to her child (10 or 11) and said "That's part of your heratige." I turned to look at the child and he was looking over his shoulder at me.

On another visit to Wal-mart I had a woman that worked there say, "There's nothing like a man in a kilt." My wife like that comment.

In a local BBQ I had the waiter tell me that he saw me getting gas one day and started to stop and say Hi. This was a restraunt we visit occassionally but I've never had that happend before (OK, no comments about BBQ and Gas...it's my favorite vegatable).

In the drug store a woman asked what Clan I was. She had a brother-in-law from Scotland and just started talking like we were old friends. My wife was also with me and just stood there...understanding.

I know some have posted other stories but I was wondering if some of you have stories like this?

I do have a few 'frustrating' stories but I would say that 99% are positive. Being in a large metro area like Dallas people tend to be rather 'stand offish' but when I wear a kilt it's almost like I am wearing a sign that say's "Talk to me, I'm friendly."

Is this a common occurance with the rest of you?

RLJ-

[bubba]

I was in the store today and overheard 2 women talking about "that man wearing the kilt". One said if she had seen me she'd have lifted the kilt to see if the story is true. They didn't notice I'd come around the corner behind them. I said "you would, would you?" They spun around and turned the most brilliant shade of red I've ever seen. We talked for a bit while my wife tried hard not to laugh. That's only the most recent incident. On the whole it's been very positive and folks are very much inclined to smile at me and chat a bit.

[Graham]

Spot on richard, I've had the same experience, perhaps not as much, but it's great.

[Blu (Ontario)]

I live in a neighbourhood that has developed a rather noticeable Arab ethnicity over the last decade. This past Sunday I was in a local supermarket with my daughter. She went along just for fun staying a few paces behind so she could enjoy the show. Lots of double takes from the men, horrified looks from the women, a couple of snide remarks from adolescent boys, all quite entertaining really. Nothing positive at all but we had fun doing it just the same! Isn't that what it's all about?

blu

[bubba]

blu, ya gotta dress like a warrior. Combat boots, kilt hose pushed down to the boottops, leather jacket, military style beret with Clan badge. Nobody gives ya any crap.

[The Kilted Chef]

Over the past 5 months I have been wearing the kilt on our weekend outtings and I have noticed something interesting.

When I am in a book store people say 'excuse me' when the step between me and what I am looking at.

Recently at a movie 4 or 5 couples were walking out infront of my wife and I and the guy waiting to clean the theatre said "Hope you enjoyed the movie."

When walking out of Wal-mart a woman turned to her child (10 or 11) and said "That's part of your heratige." I turned to look at the child and he was looking over his shoulder at me.

On another visit to Wal-mart I had a woman that worked there say, "There's nothing like a man in a kilt." My wife like that comment.

In a local BBQ I had the waiter tell me that he saw me getting gas one day and started to stop and say Hi. This was a restraunt we visit occassionally but I've never had that happend before (OK, no comments about BBQ and Gas...it's my favorite vegatable).

In the drug store a woman asked what Clan I was. She had a brother-in-law from Scotland and just started talking like we were old friends. My wife was also with me and just stood there...understanding.

I know some have posted other stories but I was wondering if some of you have stories like this?

I do have a few 'frustrating' stories but I would say that 99% are positive. Being in a large metro area like Dallas people tend to be rather 'stand offish' but when I wear a kilt it's almost like I am wearing a sign that say's "Talk to me, I'm friendly."

Is this a common occurance with the rest of you?

RLJ-

Tha last time I went out to buy chow food for the Greythound dogs, the clerk mentioned "nice skirt" I was forced to use my best Sir Sean impression-"Are you daft? Skirts are worn by lassies. A real man wears a kilt!" Hope I done some justice!

[Casey]

When I have been out in public, I have not had one bad experience. I have noticed, as I have excellent peripheral vision, some odd looks and some smiles. The other day at the supermarket the woman ahead of me in line seem to dally a while to get and extra look. My wife noticed and smiled.

The only negative word that I have received was from a good friend that is very conservative. I expected that. No harm intended and none done. The interesting thing is that he his of Nova Scotia s
Scottish heritage. His wife liked the kilt.

Casey

[bikercelt1]

I guess I'm getting somewhat jaded at this point, alot of the time I'm unaware of the responce I leave in my wake as I walk through places. My wife sees it and always gets a chuckle. Of the strangers who actually approach me the reactions are always either positive or genuinely curious. Even the ones who start off with a smartmouth coment have just been using what they thought was a clever ice-breaker (they never seem to realise that they are NOT the first one to come up with it}. I've met more supportive people and found out about more peoples heritage by wearing a kilt than I would ever have thought possible. It's only been those close to me that I get grief from. Half of them are only teasing because they can't show affection any other way and the other half I don't care what they think anyway.

Jamie

[allenlynott]

I wear my kilts about 4 days a week, right now. Of those four, three of them I am doing visits in retirement homes with my therapy dog. The older ladies seem to get a real kick out of it.
The most recent was yesterday at a reception for the volunteers. A ladie of about 75 came up to my dog and I. She was bending waaaaay over to pet him (he's a black lab). Finally, she said "fiddlesticks" and looked me in the eye and asked what I had on under my kilt. I replied with a simple "blue ribbon". Her friend next to her burst out in laughter.
I love the folks that promptly ask me "what clan?" This just turns into a 20 minute discussion. As a norm, people seem to be more willing to talk to a complete stranger in a kilt than just a complete stranger. I experience this every time I don the wool!
In a not so related story, I will be heading off to Oklahoma tomarrow to visit a terminal family member. (My wife's great aunt.) The request has been made that I wear a kilt to the funeral. In a morbid way, that makes me proud.

Cheers,
Allen