You just can't beat culture!

[beowulf67]

Actually, pretty much all the States had folks fighting on each side, some just more than others.

Also, the mountainous regions of the southern States often didn't agree with the rest of the state, especially about seccession. The State of West Virginia is the best example. However, the inhabitants of the Smoky Mountain region of Tennessee and North Carolina also didn't agree with the rest of their state. They were just too isolated from the Union.

Very true. I'm from Alabama (roll Tide!) and there were people that fought on both sides for many different reasons.
Also we had "The Free State of Winston" an area that basically seceded from Alabama after it seceded from the Union.

[creativeaccents]

Call it ignorance, bigotry, judgmentalism, bias or whatever, the sad fact is that such exists throughout the world in every locale and has throughout history on every continent. I think that for myself it was probably a learning experience to actually feel what it like to be on the receiving end of the snickers, the looks, and the sense of real tension. As some have pointed out here, the choice is ours as to how we choose to respond, both internally and situationally. The night it happened I chose to move on, to extricate myself from such an environment and the potential of escalating hostility. Last night the wife and I were doing a photo shoot in another location where I enjoyed my Black Watch kilt and the company. For myself, the casual kilt was a catalyst for a learning experience and some reaffirmation that I have absolutely no desire to be in a community or among people where such negativity, bigotry, bias...call it what you will... is predominant. This is by no means an issue of north or south, or rural versus metropolitan, but just a recognition that ignorance exists everywhere and that from time to time we may well find ourselves the target. Even as the recipient, I don't think that provoking anything further would either change any minds or the people, but only serve to reinforce stereotypes and bring negative attention to kilts in general. They are who they are, so I move on.

[thescot]

Man, you should have been with me when my wife talked me into going to a "great" (her word) antique market. Turns out, it was a primarily Mexican flea market where I was more than slightly out of place in a kilt.

However, the worst I got was a few stares, and many of the folks there actually liked the kilt and made complementary comments.

Creativeaccents, glad you are in the area. Hope we'll see you out one day soon.

[creativeaccents]

Thanks for the kind comments!

My original efforts in launching MENSPLACE were to reach out to the market around the area, but since then have enjoyed Atlanta's ease of shipping and receiving to reach out internationally.

Would love to introduce you and others to my favorite pub, MacCrackens, in Marietta...just about as friendly and authentic as I have found in the Atlanta area. I live thirty miles north.
Have a blessed week!
Clarence Walker

[Roan Carter]

This is exactly how it is in my town. : /

[davedove]

Very true. I'm from Alabama (roll Tide!) and there were people that fought on both sides for many different reasons.
Also we had "The Free State of Winston" an area that basically seceded from Alabama after it seceded from the Union.

That's really interesting. I had never heard about that before.

[Rigged]

I wear traditional and non-traditional kilts, and people who know what a kilt is recognize the non-traditionals as some kind of kilt. Some people know what a kilt is, but just want to be a pain-in-the-a$$. Some people just don't know and don't know what to make of it.

[beowulf67]

That's really interesting. I had never heard about that before.

Yes we have some interesting people around here.

[Coinneach]

Now that you've introduced the rural area to your brand of culture, even though it might not have been the best of experiences, it might be a good idea to make occasional visits back to the same pub. Minds are only going to be changed when they get used to the idea.

Of course, don't go back if you don't feel safe. You never want to put yourself in harm's way.

The more they get comfortable with you and the kilt the more they're likely to ask questions and learn. They may never be able to bring themselves to the point of wearing a kilt themselves, but that will be their problem, not yours.