Resistance from Family and Friends

**jfellrath** · 7th July 05, 10:54 AM

A couple of the recent threads by Doc Hudson and LordDamax have set me to wondering how many of us encounter resistance from family and friends about wearing the kilt as an every day garment. I'm sure this has been discussed to death on numerous threads, but it amazes me how many guys have reported on how their loved ones have rebelled against simply wearing an item of clothing.

The only negative reactions I've gotten from family are from my brother, who simply likes to give me a hard time (and I, him), and my one cousin who simply doesn't understand things that don't fit into her world.

My brother was teasing me about wearing a UK at one time, and got to the point of "Dude, why ARE you wearing that?"

I simply responded, "Some of us need the extra room." Then I glanced at his pants and remarked, "You must not."

My cousin, who I just ignore anyway, yelled across a whole room full of my relatives "Oh my god! He's wearing a skirt!" when she first saw it. And then, after the conversation in the room had gotten away from the kilt, she pipes up out of no where, "Why are you wearing that?"

I just told her "it's comfortable." It's easier just to let her stew in her little world than to try to increase the size of it.

Any other stories of how you've defused those close to you, or perhaps stories of the troubles you've had with family/friends?

**jjoseph** · 7th July 05, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by jfellrath

"Dude, why ARE you wearing that?"
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I simply responded, "Some of us need the extra room." Then I glanced at his pants and remarked, "You must not."

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Any other stories of how you've defused those close to you, or perhaps stories of the troubles you've had with family/friends?

OMG, that response ROCKS !!!!! extra room! WOOF ! You can bet I'll stealing that phrase. LOL.

Actually, the only negative reactions I've only ever gotten were a couple dirty looks from the sorority gal crowd, but that's okay, they are too young for me anyways and not really my "type". As far as family, I got raised eyebrows, but when I told them I was practicing bagpipes they had a "box" to put the kilt in and nothing but compliments since.

Other folks have either been complimentary or politely quiet. One lady in Target did try to give me directions one day since I "was a foreigner". LOLOL. Gotta love the small town life!

Scotty

**Mike n NC** · 7th July 05, 11:50 AM

only my brother, a truck driver, redneck, don't like nothing different no-how, salt of the earth, give you the shirt off his back kinda guy ever sez anything about it. I just ignore him and go on with life. He'll get over it.

Mike

**Freedomlover** · 7th July 05, 12:09 PM

I'll tell ya what, boys, the world is filled with pinched up little minds that just can't deal with anything beyond their own experience.

I quit being concerned about 30 years ago. I am not going to preach a sermon here, but irrational negative reactions really do fall into the realm of what we theologians call legalism. Which is to say that men read into the world things that are not there, and then project them onto others as requirements. There is no reason whatever to tolerate such nonesense. Sometimes education helps, but if not, then so be it.

**jfellrath** · 7th July 05, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by jjoseph

OMG, that response ROCKS !!!!! extra room! WOOF ! You can bet I'll stealing that phrase. LOL.

Glad you like it. You need to be careful who you use that one on.

A lot of folks will take offense at that. Notice I used it on family.

Originally Posted by jjoseph

As far as family, I got raised eyebrows, but when I told them I was practicing bagpipes they had a "box" to put the kilt in and nothing but compliments since.

Interesting that you mention the "box" - I think that's why the most common question I get is either "Do you play the bagpipes" or "Are you Scottish." People need that box to put their information in. My favorite answer to those questions is "no." Then you get the joy of listening to the hamster wheels whirring in their brains as they try to come up with another reason you might be wearing it.

Yes... I know. Read my sig again. ;)

**Magnus Sporrano** · 7th July 05, 12:58 PM

Many in my family did not like the kilt from the getgo.

My father ran into me out on the streets a couple of weeks ago and remarked that I've developed a good look for myself. He didn't like the kilt at first but it's grown on him. He didn't like that I was letting my curly locks grow long, but now he likes that as well. I even detected a hint of jealousy that he didn't have the latitude to pull it off himself.

Other members of my family think it's a joke but they are very shallow people who's opinion doesn't matter much.

**GMan** · 7th July 05, 02:31 PM

Most of my family like it, those that don't I could really care less, they need to get a life! All in all it is pretty positive, I am grateful for that, but I am also considered the weird Uncle. A nice weird, but still weird.

**Lee** · 7th July 05, 03:42 PM

I've had positive reactions, only, from family and friends.
Have tried to convince my brothers to wear the kilt, but no luck so far.
That's OK. To each his own.

Lee

**Dreadbelly** · 7th July 05, 04:07 PM

Some of my family are quite proud that I have reclaimed my roots and taken to kilt wearing as a visible sign of that.

Others in my family are disgusted by anything I do, anything at all, including kilt wearing.

Frankly Scallop, I don't give a clam.

**Rob Wright** · 7th July 05, 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by Dreadbelly

Some of my family are quite proud that I have reclaimed my roots and taken to kilt wearing as a visible sign of that.

Others in my family are disgusted by anything I do, anything at all, including kilt wearing.

Frankly Scallop, I don't give a clam.

Same here Dread, same here.

Rob