Other questions

[PiobBear]

I'm absolutely sick to death of "The Question" threads.

What other kilt-related questions do you encounter?
I most frequently get asked questions about my tartan (or lack thereof when wearing saffron), and my sgian dubh.
Less frequent are questions regarding my ethnic heritage, followed by questions regarding other bits of kit, particularly my sporran, especially if I'm wearing my full-face red fox.
"Where are your bagpipes?" rarely comes up, as they're generally tucked under my left arm in plain sight.

[GMan]

I get a lot of what is that and pointing to my sporran.

[McMurdo]

On a recent grocery shopping trip, I was chastised by a gentleman his question was "Where is your sgian dubh?" He was of the opinion that if you were going to wear the kilt that you had better wear everything every time. Of course he was in jeans so I asked him where his kilt was.

It is amazing to me how many times I am asked about the sgian dubh either when wearing it or not.

[Riverkilt]

Most questions I get are sincere, and folks wanna know the answer.

Most common is probably, "Are you Scottish?" or "Are you from Scotland?"
Being I live in a tourist town I take them as friendly conversation starters.

When I first wore kilts to work a lesbian coworker asked me, in a scathing way, how I went to the bathroom kilted. I responded that if I'd asked her that question about the skirt she was wearing I'd be fired and arrested. She was not a nice person and fortunately, she's moved away since.

I just look upon the questions as part of the sport of kilt wearing. Usually fun to deal with and a great way to meet people.

I have developed a very direct response to "the question," but it is not suitable for this board. Even a hint is too much.

Ron

[ccga3359]

The 2nd most frequent question I get when kilted is "Do you want fries with that shake?"

[Kid Cossack]

Sometimes I'll get the "Why doesn't my boyfriend/husband/partner have the confidence to dress that way?" question.

[Clockwork John]

I've been asked how one puts on a kilt. I was so amazed that someone thought to ask that I promptly undid my belt and showed them the buckles!

[MacWage]

I do get the "where's the bagpipes?" question quite frequently. I have begun using "under the kilt" as a stock answer. It tends to defuse the usual "next" of "what's under . . ."
I like the ambiguity of the answer, with the variable implication left up to the questioner.
Usually, it's more compliments and "where did you get your kilt, I like it?" Those usually end up with interesting discussions afterwards.

Of course, there are ALWAYS the "stupid" questions where someone is trying to be "cute" or "quick" and it just doesn't work. Invariably, they end up looking goof-ish.

[Archangel]

Had some poor lady, suffering from the abuse of drink, really confused that the Maple Leaf did not represent any clan. She came at it from every angle but, nope, Government and Military tartan, no clan.
Maybe she won't drink so much next time.

[Mr. MacDougall]

The Other Questions I get asked most often are:

"Are you Scottish?" (I'm from Tucson. Pause. Pause. Pause. But some of my ancestors came from Scotland).

"Is that your clan tartan?" (No. If more interest seems indicated, explain what tartan it is, and why I don't wear MacDougall tartan (It looks as though it were designed by someone who was color-blind)).

"Do you play the bagpipes?" (The only thing I play is the radio).

"Is that a purse?" (This particular kind of purse is called a sporran, and it's traditional wear with the kilt).

"Is there a ren faire / highland games / celtic festival today?" (Generally, no).

"Why are you wearing a kilt?" (It's comfortable, it's stylish, and the ladies love it).