I was at COSTCO (a warehouse shopping club) the other day and walked around the end of the isle as a youngster of about eight was coming around from the other direction. He froze like he'd just seen a monster from the latest creature feature turned tail and ran to his mother at the other end of the isle. As I walked by I heard her bend over and quietly tell him "no, it's Irish. That's the way men dress in Ireland and Scotland." He looked up at her, she nodded yes, he shrugged his shoulders and went on his way, apparently satisfied with that explanation. I saw him several more times before I left and he never gave me a second look.

Story #2: After services at church the other day I sat down in the social hall and looked across the table at an attractive Hispanic lady. She was saying something to the older stern looking Hispanic lady sitting two seats over from me. Remebering that several of you had mentioned that for some reason Hispanics have a particularly difficult time accepting kilts I started gearing up for the worst. The younger woman leaned across the table and asked "is that a Kilt? Do you know where I could get one for my husband? He's part Scottish and I love to see him in a kilt" I must have looked a bit startled when I turned and looked at the older lady, she just smiled and said "oh yes, I just love kilts! They look so good on men!" Then they continued their conversation in Spanish, occasionally looking over at me.

I guess we can't judge a book by it's cover or know how people are going to respond until we sit down opposite them and start to talk.

Jamie