Should you feel insulted?

[rollerboy_1979]

Anyone who calls it a skirt is an idiot who doesn't deserve recognition. Ladies who say that are usually wearing pants, so the answer, "If I wanted to dress like a woman I'd be wearing pants like you", works. I usually don't suffer fools gladly, but then again I'm also careful not to be known as the smarta** in the kilt. Witty replies are useful, but in the right place and at the right time. I have said on a few occasions, "Oh, you're mistaken........if I wanted to dress like a woman I'd be wearing high heels and nylons". Fortunately, the compliments far outnumber the rude remarks.

RB

[Nick the DSM]

depends on who said it. if its just idiots i might brush it off but if its someone i know i'll say something back, whether nice or not is up to the person.

[mbhandy]

Nice Skirt?
My reply is "You know the difference between a Kilt and a Skirt?"
No!
"Panties"

MrBill

[Oldhiker]

. That's the one with the big poodle embroidered on the apron."

haha good one

a poodle sporran hmmm

[ardchoille]

a poodle sporran hmmm

[Mike in Dayton]

Treat it like a compliment. If they intended for the comment to be something else than you just blew the wind out of their sails.

[walkerk]

Insulted? Never.

A vignette from deep within the Central Valley of California:

"I like your, uh, skirt. It is very beautiful."

"The falda escocesa? Thank you. In English it's called a kilt."

She had the loveliest dark eyes.

[Thebigeman77]

I have yet to wear mine in public since I plan to 'debut' it at my prom, but afterwards I plan to wear it regularly. A few friends of mine don't think i will (or should) but to be honest, i can't wait for those sort of comments... though, I'm sure they'll get old fast, but since people in my school are largely ignorant and arrogant (a deadly mix) I'm prepared for some fun and witty quips back at the naysayers.

[Ian.MacAllan]

. . . I just stayed quiet; I was too tired to come up with a witty response and went on my way, not wanting to get into a confrontation with some drunk. . .

In netiquette I believe that's called "refusing to feed the troll."

. . . I'm secure in myself, my masculinity and my kilt-wearing. They're obviously not secure in much at all.

Perceptive; profoundly perceptive.

. . . No sense in feeding them...they'll only want more. I figure it says more about them than me.

For the record, the last time I got the skirt comment, three women around me shouted in unison, "it's a KILT!"

Yes, knowlegable people do tend to call them kilts.

.

[Makeitstop]

Most of the time when someone is trying to be insulting, they seem to call it a dress. I have been known to correct them bay saying "it's not a dress, it's a skirt" which tends to confuse them.

Still, I try not to pour fuel on the fire, so while I may have a witty comeback for someone who is being playful, I only take it seriously when someone is being persistent and immensely disrespectful. It's only happened a few times (not including family) but when it does, I take a stand and confront the offender. Someone has to. I don't lower myself to their level or let them get to me, I just challenge them to defend their uncivilized behavior and ignorant attitudes.

Most people who refer to it as a skirt seem to be genuinely complimentary or curious. Depending on the situation I either simply accept it, or politely correct them while thanking them.

I think I get more skirt comments because I wear solid black kilts. I have actually had a few people who have never seen a kilt in person tell me that it can't be a kilt because it isn't plaid. So, it's not surprising that people who mean well don't recognize it for what it is.

Since I got my Alphakilt though, more people have been asking me what kind of "costume" I'm wearing. One of them had a fairly thick African accent, so he gets a pass, but the others should probably have thought twice before speaking. Calling someone's clothing a costume could be considered quite offensive.