Need to know how polite you are to people who are....curious

[Father Bill]

I think maybe it also depends where you hang out and what else you're wearing.

[Chase]

I think responding to questions are a lot easier for me than snyde remarks...I get good comments and they're easy to descern, but a rude intentional comment, really gets under my skin...I've had to learn to control my self/temper as there have been many an unfavorable outcome, not to mention I hate fighting in a kilt.

I had heard this response to a question from ladies about "what's under the kilt?", before and I used it a couple of years ago on a cruise ship, when asked, I simply said, "On a good day - Lipstick!" The woman followed me all over the boat asking genuine questions, but you could tell what was really on her mind.

For the Nice Skirt comment, Initially, I would say, "It's a Kilt", or, "The last one to call it a skirt, got Kilt"

As a former Law Enforcement Officer, I've been trained to use command presence, verbal judo, and graduated force, (if necessary), when they persist...It doesn't end well for them.

[McElmurry]

In the short time I have had my kilt I have gotten the question, which I refused a straight answer. I have also gotten the assumption of Irishness to which I responded, the kilt has been worn by some to represent Irishness for about 100 years. The kilt is considered the national dress of Scotland where it has been worn for over 400 years.

The question that I did not anticipate is "why are you wearing a kilt". In both instances the questioner seemed genuinely dumbfounded. Starting a question with the word why tends to put folks on the defensive and I was knocked back on my heals a bit. I said the first thing which came to mind which was "because I can". This pretty much ended the discussion and left the questioner wondering what I meant. Am I exercising freedom of speech or am I claiming to be man enough? The response is somewhat similar to Mallory's response "because it's there", which is probably why it appeals to me.

[Jackson]

I was at a retirement party for a friend earlier this week and although I was wearing pants (shorts, actually), another couple were asking my wife about our recent trip to Scotland and Ireland as I walked up. The fact that I did wear a kilt in Scotland, brought out the ineviteable question, "What do you wear under it?" I responded with my usual, "Theresa knows and the Devil looks up with envy." After some banter, the question, "What is worn under the kilt?" came from another individual who overheard the conversation. "Why, nothing is worn, everything is in fine working order!" was the best response. I told them that when you wear a kilt you just have to be ready for such questions and if the guy is a jerk about it I like, "Your wife's lipstick!" That got the lady embarrased, and, I'm sorry to say, I turned a little red myself, mostly from her response. I think I'll be more careful with that one in the future. Oh, and I told them that if a lady asks, as I put my arm around her shoulders, "Lassie, I'm a man of few words, gimme your hand!"

I have also been asked the "Why?" question and always respond with, "Because we're in America and I can!"

Jackson

[J3Piper]

Then there's the female answer to "what are you wearing under your kilt?" (yes, some men at Highland Gatherings think it's funny to ask).

In random order of impoliteness of the asker...

"Why don't you ask my husband? He's the muscular gent in the USMC kilt standing right behind you with his arms on his hips"

"Anything I want."

"Does your mother know where you are?" with a raised eyebrow.

and so forth.

For the really obnoxious ones, I am temped to carry a pair of blue knitted balls or nudicles in my sporran and mention this is what it cost the last guy that persisted in asking rude questions.

Honest curiosity is answered with equal politeness and tact, of course.

Since I play bagpipes I haven't ever received the "Why" question, other than "why wool?" but give it time I am sure.

[Melfice]

Generally, I just make a joke of it. Following exchange is in Dutch, of course.
Me: "But sir/ma'am. You can see that yourself. Shoes and socks!"
Them: "Is that all?"
Me: "Ah... you meant that. Sorry, not telling!"

If they're strangers, I generally walk away there.
If they're colleagues or friends, or whatever, and they persist, I do my best to actually explain to them that there isn't a hard rule when it comes to that. That it just comes down to personal preference, just like when you're wearing trousers.
Funny enough, they never accept that...

Stupid questions and remarks (isn't it cold? Looking sexy in that skirt!) get painfully straight answers. ("Nope! Very comfortable!" "Thank you!") Which is generally enough to shut them up.

[MizzouScotsman]

Then there's the female answer to "what are you wearing under your kilt?" (yes, some men at Highland Gatherings think it's funny to ask).

In random order of impoliteness of the asker...

"Why don't you ask my husband? He's the muscular gent in the USMC kilt standing right behind you with his arms on his hips"

"Anything I want."

"Does your mother know where you are?" with a raised eyebrow.

and so forth.

For the really obnoxious ones, I am temped to carry a pair of blue knitted balls or nudicles in my sporran and mention this is what it cost the last guy that persisted in asking rude questions.

Honest curiosity is answered with equal politeness and tact, of course.

Since I play bagpipes I haven't ever received the "Why" question, other than "why wool?" but give it time I am sure.

I'm thinking the nudicles would be freaking hilarious to use in that situation.

[COScotsman]

While in between full-time jobs, I worked for a chain pharmacy as the main cashier. On St Andrew's Day I was scheduled to work so instead of the uniformed black slacks required, I donned my kilt with the store's required dress shirt. My wife thought for sure I would be sent home to change but that never happened. The shift manager liked it and for that day it was OK. (The GM might have balked at it.) Had a great educating folks on the kilt and it's glorious history. Everyone was very polite. The best conversations were with the little old ladies that came in to get their prescriptions refilled. One comment she had never seen a kilt other than T.V. and wasn't sure anyone actually worn them for real. It definitely broken up the boredom of standing behind a register for 8 hours.

[Kilted Chaos]

Spinnaker, your wife is a RIOT..."I'm not!" Love her lots

[llyd]

Depends who it asking and how they ask...obnoxious ones don't last long...those just asking out of curiosity get varying answers...as polite as circumstances dictate....an attractive lady might get an appraising look and a job interview...lol