Mychael,

I believe you have a point about the British (especially the English) not making comments. We have a natural reserve, tend to keep ourselves to ourselves and most of us are not prone to starting conversations with total strangers. Although I have gained a massive increase in confidence since switching exclusively to kilts getting on for six years ago, I still have great difficulty in looking people in the eye, and as for starting a conversation: forget it - unless I am forced!

Maybe it is because of this that I very seldom indeed receive any comments about my kilts when out and about. Strangers probably are more inclined to speak to each other if eye contact is made. Just recently, however, there has been a marked increase in the number of occasions when strangers do speak to me - but that is as a result of my kilts having been featured in a double-page spread of photos in a newspaper just a few weeks ago! Those comments are much more likely to be of the rather inane, "I saw you in the paper last week!" followed by a nervous giggle, rather than anything directly to do with my kilts! Oh, one woman did mutter, "You look much better in the flesh", as she rushed past me in the supermarket! But, no, no comments, complimentary or otherwise, about what I am wearing. Also, as far as I can tell, there are few double-takes or turnings around for a better look.

You Americans are far more outspoken than most of us, so I imagine that has a lot to do with it.

By the way, you say you met a ham from the UK. Huh! I thought I was THE Ham. from the UK!

Take care,
Ham. (from the UK)

PS: I started replying to your E-mails yesterday when the sad news of Tom's passing hit me and knocked me off my perch. I am pretty much occupied for a couple of days, but I WILL be in touch very soon - promise.