So often asked

[Hellequin]

My new reply when attractive young women ask is " for $5.00 I'll tell you, for $10.00 I'll show you and for $20.00 I'll let you find out for yourself! If in the event that they are drop dead gorgeous it is $30.00, it's all I can afford to pay!

I use $2, $5, and "if they buy the next round" for that one. I guess I'm cheap! Although I have gotten a few free rounds!

[HarborSpringsPiper]

I had never run across this particular reply before.

[NewEnglander]

I had never run across this particular reply before.

That's the response I've been using with my girlfriend who still isn't so sure about this whole kilt thing.......

[Sir William]

Say, "That's for me to know and you to find out".

I'd be careful with that response....I've had people, both men and women, try to find out!

Several times I've had a woman slide a hand up my kilt (without permission) to check. When I ask if I can do the same to them they get all embarrassed - or in one case almost insulted by the suggestion.

On the whole, I don't worry about "the question." It comes with wearing a kilt. Much the same as when I'm at a reenactment or living history program wearing a wool uniform on a warm muggy summer day and I'm frequently asked "Aren't you hot?"

[Mael Coluim]

My typical response to the question is, "You will have to ask a bonnie lass as I am sworn to secrecy." On this side of the pond, many times the inquirer (usually female) then asks, "What's a bonnie lass?" My reply is, "a pretty lady with a smile on her face!"

[Jimmy]

Alan Cumming was quoted as ' not wearimg underpants ' while kilted when receiving his OBE from Princess Anne yesterday. although i thought that he was a bit overdressed from head to toe in his outfit

[skauwt]

my response has only ever been
"a course not am scottish dae ya hink coz ive hole inma **** ama flowerpot man or su`hin "

[Jack Daw]

What amazes me is that even for those who know little about the kilt, even those from other countries, seem quite aware that underwear under a kilt is a lesser common option.

[DireStraitsFan]

What cracks me up after wearing a kilt off and on for >35 years is people following up that question with "has anyone ever asked you that before?"

I've never really figured out what anyone's reason for asking is. I guess it's just what one says to someone wearing the kilt when you don't know what else to say.

I vary from humor or saying nothing to annoyance. I'm at a phase where I just find it annoying but try to keep good humor about it.

I think you're right about it being the only thing they can think of to ask other than the idiotic "Are you Irish?" that seems to be popular. I also find it annoying when people ask, but try to be good natured about it. Some instances are more difficult than others.

[HarborSpringsPiper]

Some instances are more difficult than others.

Amen brother, amen. I've actually had people trying to lift my kilt while I was piping. That's just over the top. Why anybody would think it was ok to put their hands on another without permission is beyond me.