"I really like your shoes" ???

**Tobus** · 7th November 10, 06:29 PM

On the way home from the Austin Celtic Festival on Saturday, we stopped at an IHOP to eat supper while we were passing through San Antonio. I was wearing what you see below:

You can't see them very well, but I was wearing plain old brown casual-dress shoes that I found at Academy. Nothing special.

Kilts are a pretty rare sight in San Antonio, and I could tell that our waitress, a young Hispanic girl, was really ogling me when I got up to visit the men's room. When I came back, she approached the table in a rather shy manner, and in her best demure voice, she said, "I really like your shoes."

I thanked her politely, she visibly blushed, and moved on. My wife's friend, who was with us, went into a giggling fit. I'm assuming that the young lady meant to compliment something about my kilted outfit, but the fact that she mentioned my shoes was rather odd.

Ever had awkwardly bizarre comments like that?

**walkerk** · 7th November 10, 07:27 PM

In California's Central Valley, that happens a lot. It's simply because they don't know what to call it. My usual response: "Thank you. In English, la falda esconcesa is called a kilt."

**GMan** · 7th November 10, 07:34 PM

Yes, I have had people comment on my shoes or shirt, but never the Kilt. I like that as it tells me they like more about me.

**Whidbey78** · 7th November 10, 08:52 PM

I've never had anyone comment on shoes, but I've had people comment on my kilt pins and shirts a lot which I find odd.

**Riverkilt** · 7th November 10, 09:19 PM

It is soooo weird when a stranger comes up to me and starts to say something and I focus on getting ready for a kilt question....then instead they like my shoes (Z Coils) or t-shirt slogan. Go figure - never know for sure.

**lethearen** · 7th November 10, 09:36 PM

Last week, I got a compliment on my jacket (of course the woman was Scottish, so she's probably more used to kilts). Today I got compliments on my flat cap and on my Doc Martens. Oh, and a lady once complimented me on my [she blushed and pointed to groinal area]... Ahem, it's called a sporran.

**azwildcat96** · 7th November 10, 09:38 PM

I've had lots of comments about my t-shirts also...two in particular; one that is a spoof on Walt Disney (Malt Whisky - The Happiest Drink on Earth), and the other is a breast cancer charity walk that reads "I (heart-shaped pink ribbon symbol) boobies".

Maybe it is just less awkward to comment on a shirt than a foreign garment.

**Jock Scot** · 8th November 10, 12:35 AM

I ask this with the greatest of respect. Are you chaps for real? Do you really have to put up with all this assorted questions and implied questions about the kilt nonsense?I get asked to pose for a "kilt picture" from time fo time, but I have never had to put up with the bother that you chaps do. I would not wear the kilt ever, if I had to!

**Schiehallion** · 8th November 10, 04:47 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I get asked to pose for a "kilt picture" from time fo time, but I have never had to put up with the bother that you chaps do. I would not wear the kilt ever, if I had to!

Indeed it happens all too often when in central London as tourists ask to have a kilt picture. I could get rich if I charged. Knightsbridge is the area where my partner and I are most frequently asked to pose with them for a photo.

**Tobus** · 8th November 10, 05:18 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I ask this with the greatest of respect. Are you chaps for real? Do you really have to put up with all this assorted questions and implied questions about the kilt nonsense?I get asked to pose for a "kilt picture" from time fo time, but I have never had to put up with the bother that you chaps do. I would not wear the kilt ever, if I had to!

Why not, Jock? Are you averse to strangers talking to you and possibly paying you compliments?

It doesn't bother me in the least. In fact, that's part of the enjoyment of wearing a kilt here in the States where it's not usually seen. While it does indeed take some intestinal fortitude to start wearing a kilt in public, the more I wear it, the more fun it is because of the reactions of people I see. I pay special attention to what people are saying around me, and whether they are staring. Mainly because I'm still a bit apprehensive about negative reactions and comments. But it's mostly positive, and people end up getting curious enough to ask about it.

Hey, it beats drab conformity!