Ever been at a loss for words after a kilt comment?

[Standard]

Sounds to me like she was trying to pay you a compliment without being able to come up with the actual name of the garment you were wearing. As some others have stated it is so rare for most people to actually see a kilt being worn outside of a Saint Patrick's Day parade that they simply can't think of the correct word to use. It certainly doesn't sound like she made the comment with any ill intent.

The comment from the lady behind (Then the woman behind me tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Even though Englishmen have died for less, try not to kill her, lad.") you was priceless.

[FreeDon!]

Yep, I've gotten the "That's a nice/beautiful skirt" comment before. A simple "thanks!" works fine. It's usually pretty easy to tell if it's a compliment or not, I think.

[fluter]

Sounds to me like she was trying to pay you a compliment without being able to come up with the actual name of the garment you were wearing.

this happens to me, too, especially from the ladies. Sometimes you really can't tell what they mean by it, but in general it's complimentary.

Educated professional people are not immune, by any means. I know a full professor, brilliant lady, who has yet to internalize the word "kilt." I accept "skirt" because she genuinely likes it. BTW about 50 percent of the time now, she's gotten as far as "quilt."