O my God

**davedove** · 31st January 08, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

I had a rather interesting experience last night, myself. I was out shopping for a laptop computer, and I noticed an older lady staring at me. She obviously noticed that I had noticed and said to me in very broken English "Sorry I stare. Your skirt is just very beautiful." I of course very politely corrected her as it was obvious she was from a completely different culture and was making no snide comments, and was in fact making an honest compliment. It turned out that she was Japanese and had never heard of or seen a kilt, and that men in Japan wear things that are similar from time to time, and they just call them skirts. I told her a little about my family heritage, some of the history of the kilt (and particularly the Black Stewart tartan, which is what I was wearing) and she and I had a very pleasant conversation. All in all a good experience.

That's the way it should be handled. Obviously no offense was intended and you wound up having a pleasant cultural exchange.

Originally Posted by JamieKerr

Yesterday I was coming out of class in one of my kilts. A Japanese student? or tourist walked up to me, and in very very broken English asked if he could have a picture taken with me. He then proceeded to stop a random stranger and have his picture taken with me.

I've had that happen many times.

**MacDanar** · 27th January 08, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by GMan

I got on public transportation once and this guy was talking on his cell phone, when all I heard was "Dude Dude Dude Dude in a Kilt Dude this Dude is Kilted I can't believe it Dude."

HAW!! Best laugh of the day, thanks to you and the dudedudedude.

**GMan** · 27th January 08, 08:41 PM

You're welcome Dude.

**SteveB** · 27th January 08, 08:43 PM

I frequent a small store run by a gentleman and his wife who are from Egypt. They sell mostly housewares and some cosmetics. After a couple of my visits in Highland attire, he is proudly wearing his native garments.
The theme has also spread to a Nigerian store owner recently. It ws interesting when the three of us were lined up waiting for a teller at the bank. We had a great time explaing to the rest of the que our heritages displayed in our garments.

**McFarkus** · 29th January 08, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by SteveB

I frequent a small store run by a gentleman and his wife who are from Egypt. They sell mostly housewares and some cosmetics. After a couple of my visits in Highland attire, he is proudly wearing his native garments.
The theme has also spread to a Nigerian store owner recently. It ws interesting when the three of us were lined up waiting for a teller at the bank. We had a great time explaing to the rest of the que our heritages displayed in our garments.

That is very COOL!!!!

**thescot** · 27th January 08, 08:43 PM

Many of us who are kilted finally get used to being talked to as if we were gods.
enjoy it.

**JamieKerr** · 28th January 08, 11:03 PM

Yesterday I was coming out of class in one of my kilts. A Japanese student? or tourist walked up to me, and in very very broken English asked if he could have a picture taken with me. He then proceeded to stop a random stranger and have his picture taken with me.

**Nighthawk** · 31st January 08, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by JamieKerr

Yesterday I was coming out of class in one of my kilts. A Japanese student? or tourist walked up to me, and in very very broken English asked if he could have a picture taken with me. He then proceeded to stop a random stranger and have his picture taken with me.

The lady I talked to said that she wished she had a camera- her friends back home would never believe her!

**SteveB** · 29th January 08, 12:51 AM

I live in historic Boston, Massachusetts.... The Freedom Trail, Paul Revere's Ride, etc., etc. I have only crossed Boston Common once during the day in the past year without winding up on someones tourist itinerary. I am sure my picture has been well circulated in most of the other 49, the Provinces of Canada Japan, China, Sweden, Germany, and even in Scotland. I asked the Scot tourists why would they need a picture of an American kilted, when Scotland is home to the finest weavers of tartan in the World, and where my kilt was made. They answered that they wanted proof that the kilt is worn outside of Scotland.!

Enjoy being squeezed between a visiting husband and wife for the photo -op.
--- Steve

**rollerboy_1979** · 29th January 08, 04:12 PM

I was kilted and casually walking down the street with friends at our local Thursday night VillageFest in Palm Springs, when I heard a woman's voice, in a thick Scottish brogue saying, "The Scots wud be prrrroud of ye laddie". She smiled at me and walked on. About 15 minutes later, I felt my kilt get lifted slightly and a female voice saying, "Woo-Hoo!". I spun around thinking it was one of my firends, to find a rather crude woman unknown to me, arm in arm with her sleazy boyfriend, quickly walking past me and laughing. I shouted to her, "If I did that to you, you'd have me arrested!". What I shoud have said was "Cee U Next Tuesday!". In the space of 15 minutes I experienced grace and civility, followed by crude and lewd behavior. Your lady's comment was pretty benign by comparison.

RB