Understanding Comments.

[Alan H]

Spot on, James...absolutely right on the mark.

When the Chinese programmers that I work with complimented me repeatedly on my "nice skirt", what use is there in getting angry about it? They've never seen a kilt in their lives, it would be dumb of me to get angry. So instead of that, I took the opportunity to sit down with them and show them pictures of Sean Connory (whom they all knew of course) and Ewan MacGregor (explaining that he was the actor that played the young Obi Wan Kenobi in Star Wars) and Prince Charles and also some of the guys on this board. I explained the idea behind kilts and spelled the word out for them three or four times...non-aggressively, even writing it down on a piece of paper.

End result? I still get an occasional compliment, but now they use the word "kilt", they know a tiny bit more about Scotland, and things are just fine......a success story all around.

The truth is that a tartan kilt is more instantly recognizeable as "KILT" by many, many more people than a non-tartan kilt is. I get very few fundamental questions about my kilts when I'm wearing tartan...I get "what clan is that?" or "where are your bagpipes?" sure, but the vast majority of people recognize it as a kilt. But when I wear the solid black one, or my caramel canvas one... though we all know here at Xmarks that solid color kilts have been around for a long time, I find myself doing a lot more explaining. There's no point in getting angry at people who just don't know. Like you say, some of these kilts are outside a lot of peoples "Event Horizon". Save the anger for people who are abusive. They'd probably be abusive if you were wearing blue jeans and a baseball team t-shirt, ferhevvinssake..

[Southern Breeze]

James, those are wise words indeed.

[millar]

Brilliant!

[Blu (Ontario)]

Excellent post, James!

I nominate James' post for the "Articles" section.

blu

[Southern Breeze]

Excellent post, James!

I nominate James' post for the "Articles" section.

blu

I'll second that!

[Kiltman]

I often wear a green Buzz Kidder when hiking. The question I get most is: What tartan is that? I get the chance to enlighten them about self colour kilts and what constitutes a tartan. Great world out there, and I'm educating them about kilts one person at a time.

[Hamish]

I often wear a green Buzz Kidder when hiking. The question I get most is: What tartan is that? I get the chance to enlighten them about self colour kilts and what constitutes a tartan. Great world out there, and I'm educating them about kilts one person at a time.

I get that quite a lot also. Plain or self-coloured kilts frequently generate the "What is that tartan?" question, whereas I don't think I have ever been asked that question when wearing any of my fourteen tartan kilts.

My kilted brethren who know me well have heard this many times but, for the benefit of the numerous newcomers here, I'll repeat the tale: A couple of years ago, whilst on duty at Petworth House where I am a volunteer Room Steward for The National Trust, I was wearing a plain black Barathea kilt. I could tell that it was attracting some attention but only one visitor questioned me about it. "Is that what they call Black Watch?", the elderly gentleman asked. "Oh, no," I said, "Black Watch tartan is bottle green and navy blue." "What tartan is that then?" he enquired. Without thinking I told him, "This one is Macabre (MacCabre!)." Entirely satisfied with that, he thanked me and tottered off to tell his wife who had apparently pushed him into asking me about my kilt! All three of my black kilts are now officially known as being macabre!

[Riverkilt]

Good Points James,

I do think there's a bit more to it. I know for me when the comments come flying at me I'm often unprepared for them...sort of like being ambushed...I'm not surprised that a comment comes, but I'm not expecting that one then.

Sadly, I often let loose with a response before I've even considered it...I see it flying out of my mouth...its gone. Hopefully, its usually an appropriate response.

I sometimes pause and don't respond while I consider what's been said. Usually, but not always, I answer politely....but not always...and that seems to be based more on what's presenting, the asker's attitude and demeanor, and what the surrounding situation is. Do I know the person.

Last week at a pizza/game place with my grandkids a guy approached my lady when she got up for a drink refill. He asked her if I was open minded and did she think I'd help him educate his son and son's friend. I was kilted in my basil UK Survival II and wore my WPG Ike jacket with tech sergeant's stripes (in honor of my uncle's service). Add the beard, long hair, and furrowed brow and he was being cautious...not knowing I'm a gentle soul.

Turns out his son and his son's friend had mocked me for wearing a skirt and he wanted me to educate them about kilts. So I agreed. While he watched from afar I approached his son and very politely, like an educator, said, "Yes, it is a skirt, a type of skirt called a kilt." I turned my hind end to him to show him the embroidered UK logo and said, "They're made here in the States in Seattle." The kid was so embarrassed until his dad came forward and just told him he wanted to teach him about kilts and about judging people based on what they're wearing. Seemed appropriate.

Would have been just as easy to approach the boys, they were about 14, and ask them if they wanted to make something of it...not sure the dad's way was the best idea, but at least it was polite and non-threatening.

But, my point is, that I'm having a good time with my grandkids and then am unexpectedly called upon to go into "kilt education mode." The decisions I made were more being polite to the father. The brief process took time from my time with my grandkids.

The questions are an intrusion. They are usually unexpected. We gotta roll with the punches....and there are soooo many choices, thanks to the sharing on this board...sometimes I screw up.

But, is it me that set the ball in motion by sallying forth kilted in an unkilted world? My expectation is that living in the U.S. of A my clothing choice is up to me. Sure, other's have the right to ask questions and make comments....but hey, do they REALLY have to...? What drives this need to approach total strangers with their questions and comments?

Ron

[Sir Robert]

Oh Hamish, you are truly eloquent. I'm going to steal that line for sure.

[CameronTaylor]

Even my Dad has called my kilts everything from skirts to dresses, always in jest. I thank everyone no matter what they say, the big jock that said: "hey buddy, nice dress" I said "Thanks, all the women think so too". Even down to the New Years partiers telling my freind "I want your man's skirt" She replied "He's not MY man" and I replied "One - this is my best party dress and two - I'd never fit into those tight pants of yours".
Life is too short to get upset at minor things, just roll with it.


CT - Pride of Scotland attacks Sugars friday night !