An unusual kiltmaking opportunity

**Alan H** · 23rd April 07, 10:28 AM

The coffee place at work is manned by thre Hispanic guys and one Causasian fellow. I'm an good terms with them, and we joke around a lot. However, the tartan kilt thing is not qite..shall we say...within the Hispanic guys cultural context. The two that speak english refuse to learn the word, Kilt, and persist in calling it a skirt.

I could get annoyed about it, but honestly, it's not an issue. What they think has no effect on my life. However, recently the boss has started joking around about how he wants one for one of the other guys....the one that doesn't speak english. The first 4-5 times I just laughed it off, but he's kept at it. I'm starting to wonder if he's serious.

So today I said "If you get me his measurements, I'll make him a Camouflage kilt".

When I'll have TIME for this, I have no idea, but I've been meaning to get a few yards of camo for an X-Kilt for myself and Panache, so maybe I'll buy a couple more yards for this guy if the boss actually coughs up his measurements.

I think next week, I will make arrangements to bring the 16 lb hammer, the 28 pound weight and the 16 pound stone to work, and invite the guys to come out an throw with the guy in the "skirt" right after they go off shift.

**Robert Lamb** · 23rd April 07, 01:10 PM

Don't feel too bad, my wife of 29 yrs will not say the word "kilt" no matter how many time I tell her it is a KILT not a skirt. She is from Mexico, enough said!
Robert "the kilted" Lamb

**Jerry** · 24th April 07, 03:40 AM

The only time my daughter will say my kilts are any thing other than her "dad's skirts" is when I remind her that her dad, the "guy in a skirt" is the one subsidizing her master's degree. Then It becomes a kilt for a few days. It is really all in fun and she has on occasion said it looks nice ( but only at Games and festivals)

**BEEDEE** · 25th April 07, 07:11 AM

Originally Posted by Alan H

When I'll have TIME for this, I have no idea, but I've been meaning to get a few yards of camo for an X-Kilt for myself and Panache, so maybe I'll buy a couple more yards for this guy if the boss actually coughs up his measurements.

Alan - do you have a good source for camo material in a suitable weight for X-Marks kilts? I can only find lightweight material in the NC boonies.

Brian

**Riverkilt** · 25th April 07, 08:27 AM

There may be a word in Spanish for kilt, but its not in my thickest Spanish dictionary. They just use the word falda, which is skirt...they toss in a second word, escocesa, which is a Scotswoman.

So hey, maybe the language tools just aren't there for them to grasp.

Try maybe, "Falda para Escoce's" which would be kinda "skirt for Scotsmen."

And if they won't break their sterotypes, maybe you can ask them if they want the camo kilt trimmed out like a mariachi or a bullfighter outfit...

Ron
Soy Gringo

**Kid Cossack** · 25th April 07, 08:47 AM

Alan:

Groovy! I suppose I shouldn't say "evangelism" but way to go on proselytizing! As to the whole "skirt" issue . . . I tend to fall back on an ENGLISHMAN'S phrase that "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." I put "skirt" comments into two categories: the uninformed and the malicious. If someone is malicious, I'll either ignore them or smart-mouth them a little. If they're ignorant, I'll either ignore them or educate them. Just the other day I was in a drugstore buying some breath mints, and an older black lady was coming in with her granddaughter. The granddaughter asked about the funny man in the skirt, and grandma responded that it wasn't a skirt, but a kilt. I ended up talking to them for a minute or two, and told the granddaughter that a kilt is a special type of skirt, a man's skirt originating in Scotland.

BTW, Ron---I was wearing my desert MARPAT PK!

It was, on the whole, a groovy experience, and personally I think the explanation worked.

Kilt power!

**Tartan Hiker** · 25th April 07, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by BEEDEE

Alan - do you have a good source for camo material in a suitable weight for X-Marks kilts? I can only find lightweight material in the NC boonies.

Brian

Have you guys got a Hancock Fabric store down that way? I've found lots of good poly-cotton at our local store.

**Alan H** · 25th April 07, 01:20 PM

I'm stuck with New York Fabric store and a JoAnne's... both are totally useless for anything tartan but they do carry single-side-print camo material in heavy cotton-poly.

**Panache** · 25th April 07, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by Alan H

I'm stuck with New York Fabric store and a JoAnne's... both are totally useless for anything tartan but they do carry single-side-print camo material in heavy cotton-poly.

We've got Beverly's and I believe one other store down here in San Jose. If you are being so generous to offer to make me an X Kilt perhaps we can find the material for the kilts. You, the F-H.C.A.G. and I should talk about over a tasty beer perhaps

Cheers

Jamie

**ccga3359** · 25th April 07, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by Alan H

When I'll have TIME for this, I have no idea, but I've been meaning to get a few yards of camo for an X-Kilt for myself and Panache, so maybe I'll buy a couple more yards for this guy if the boss actually coughs up his measurements.

Some how I just can't picture Panache in camo (all due respect Jamie) other than Black Watch that is.