What would be a good first time place to go kilted?

[haukehaien]

The absolute easiest is at a highland games/Scottish festival; lots of kilted men, plus it's recognized as "normal" by other people. Other fairly easy places can include nice restaurants (if you dress appropriately as far as the rest of your outfit) and church, if you attend one (and providing that your particular flavor of worship doesn't preclude the kilt.)

[pdcorlis]

My first was a Walmart - I always did believe in a baptism of fire...

[BEEDEE]

My first outing was to a movie theater.

Brian

[camellid]

Well the in-laws will be out because, I will never get maried again. LOL but the store sounds great. I stay on the road alot so I really don't know anyone elsee that wears kilts. But I will look into the local Scottish/Caledonian/St. Andrew's Society.

So what you all saying is to get kilted and go for it right? LOL But don't go to a pub for the first time.
Thanks

[Phogfan86]

My first was at the KC Highland Games, and that was a nice, safe, easy way to break in.

My first non-Scottish venue was Target after a St. Andrew Society meeting. SWK standard Night Stalker, gray polo, scrunched hose and boots. My kids were with me, both of whom are fine with Dad in a kilt. That always helps, having people with you who are comfortable with it, too. When we got in the car, my oldest commented that I really didn't seem to get too many weird looks and that women of a certain age (he guessed 30-40) really seemed to like it.

If you ever really want to know how positive people are about it, have a friend follow 10 paces behind. He or she will hear all the comments, good, bad and otherwise, and I promise the positive comments will far outnumber the negatives.

[Ayin McFye]

I believe your first kilted outting to be a very important one. Because to many people if you receive non-stop bad exposure then it could be damaging to how often you wear it out in the future. My opinion is strength in numbers if possible. If you know one or two guys that will go out kilting with you, then it's a little easier to not feel alone. If you're buddies don't want to invest the money, just have them buy a cheap one from www.stillwaterkilts.com or you could buy it for them, or as a backup for yourself if they are the same size. Then you both get to experience wherever you choose to go together.

I agree with McMurdo that a pub can be a really good choice, but a potentially bad one also. Depending on the type of crowd that frequents Irish Pub you should be fine. But if you've got the 21 year old group of guys, that are out to prove something, then you are the easy target.

You've got to pick your battles, and if you're not ready to wear a kilt full time then initially starting off at someplace "safe" is a smart choice.

Going shopping is always safe. Run over to Wal-Mart buy a shirt or something, and head on home and have a pint. Or have a few pints ahead of time, to get rid of the nervousness.

Either way, good luck!

P.S. Get some pictures taken so that you'll always remember it!

[camellid]

Thanks for all the help and advice from you all. I have been looking for a Irish pub around me and the closest one is two hours away. So I guess its off to wal-mart LOL. I am going to go tomorrow because its raining here now. But I will let you know how it works out for me. I really want to thank you all for the great replies. I am in a little town right now. The people here seem to be a little closed-minded. I think that is why I was so nervous. But I think I am going to a bigger one in the morning. I will be kilted all day.

[SteveB]

Wear it around the house enough to get in the habit of sweeping your pleats and tucking the aprons when sitting down. It should feel as you are always dressed. Then go out anywhere in public. Should you desire to head to a pub, do so when either Scot or Irish entertainment is on the calendar. Some pubs are very Celtic in theme, and are safe all the time.

[Nighthawk]

I was always that guy with the attitude- If you don't like me, then leave me alone. So I never really cared what others were thinking when they saw me. If someone makes a stupid comment, I retort with a simple "You're a moron, so your opinion doesn't matter to me" and move on. To me, it's as simple as that. I find that life is so much more enjoyable when you just stop caring what others think of you.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Back seat of my uncle's Rolls-Royce at the Braemar Games in '71.

Or did I misinterpret the question?