I'm just ticked off

[BoldHighlander]

She was a vendor at a business expo? Was she the owner of the business? If she wasn't you should contact the business and tell them that you'll do everything in your power to stop people from shopping there because they've hired the worst people in the world.

...hit her in the wallet. That's where most people feel it the worst.

Hear! Hear!

[SoulFyre777]

Actually, now that I think about it, I too was at an expo today (Nashville's Lawn and Garden Show) with my wife and child. We were talking to a proprietor of a natural health and beauty care company from Asheville, NC. We got on the subject of small business in niche markets and since I wasn't wearing my kilt today, I brought up my love of kilts and admiration of kiltmaking and also the Scottish Tartan Museum being close by their home office. Immediately, the conversation went from straight, professional banter to the 2nd grade school yard. "You mean you wear a DRESS?! Bwahahaha!!"



....really??

[DamnthePants]

Though it doenst always work, mostly when there are bystanders they can defer to; Sometimes its just best to play off any insults they throw at you as being actual facts that you know and agree with.

for instnace, the "So your a man, in a dress?" style rib. Just play along: "Why yes, I own several dresses. each one in a diffrent pretty color"

etc etc

The idea being that by not reacting the way they hoped-- getting all mad and defensive-- you have compleatly disarmed them, and they no longer care.

There are of course pride related casualties in this method.

[Scotland Forever]

I say you out this company by name. Then the next time I'm in NC visiting my soon to be In Laws, I'll stop by in my kilt to see what she has to say for herself. Maybe nearby XMarkers can stop by every week until they get a clue.

[Jock Scot]

There is no excuse for bad manners wherever you are in the world. As a Scot looking at this circumstance from far away from the event I am not surprised. Ignorance is world wide, cheap comments are world wide, lack of understanding is world wide, so you chaps wearing the kilt out of its natural surroundings are putting yourselves there to be "sniped at". Surely you must expect comments like this? Not often, one can hope and it does not make it right, but it is bound to happen.

[dfmacliam]

I would not let this incident get under your skin, because what can you really do about it?Ignorent is simply ignorent.... and to think a company is relying on a person of this caliber, to bring them business.. and with the economy the way it is.. It's really a shame... Oh well...

It often amazes me the intelligence level some people exhibit..

[CDNSushi]

you chaps wearing the kilt out of its natural surroundings are putting yourselves there to be "sniped at". Surely you must expect comments like this?

From what I'm told, one could probably argue that even the Scottish Highlands are out of the kilt's natural surroundings nowadays...

Instead of being nice and polite about such off-hand remarks, rather than ignoring them, perhaps it's time to start telling people exactly how rude they are.

Hindsight is 20/20 but perhaps for a woman such as the one descibed by the OP, the best solution may have been to interrupt her and say something like:

"Ma'am. When you woke up this morning, I doubt you said to yourself that your goal for the day was to find someone who dresses differently and make fun of them... I know of very few people who would be THAT offensive.. But perhaps you don't quite realize exactly how rudely you are behaving at the moment. It would never occur to me to walk up to you, a perfect stranger, and just start bashing your clothes, hair and appearance. How would you feel? What would you say to me if I went and did that? What makes it acceptable for you to do that to anyone?"

[azwildcat96]

There is no excuse for bad manners wherever you are in the world. As a Scot looking at this circumstance from far away from the event I am not surprised. Ignorance is world wide, cheap comments are world wide, lack of understanding is world wide, so you chaps wearing the kilt out of its natural surrounding are putting yourselves there to be "sniped at". Surely you must expect comments like this? Not often one can hope and it does not make it right, but it is bound to happen.

Well said!

I would venture a guess that, when kilted, you receive more positive comments than negative ones. But, the negative ones will come about periodically.

Maybe a bit more of the "Hey, I have a huge set of to wear this!" attitude will limit these comments.

Bottom line, if you're going to wear a kilt you had better have thick skin.

[ForresterModern]

There is an old adage that says something to the effect of "No one comes out smelling pretty when you get in a pissing match with a skunk". Rather than returning smart comments let them lie in their own ignorance---it will eventually come back to haunt them, but I doubt you will be around to enjoy it, although you can take silent satisfaction merely in the knowledge. Walk away and spend your time an energy in an act of joy rather than let them get you down. Unfortunately the rudeness gene runs genetically with the idiocy gene. This will not be the last time someone has a bad interaction with an idiot about wearing a kilt, becasue unfortunately god and the law has not taken away the right for idiots to reproduce. Stay to the high ground, and your blood pressure and psyche will remain in a much better state, my friend.

I do agree with letting this "person's" employer know that they have hired a rude and inconsiderate employee who reflects poorly on their company image, either in person or in writing to the president of the company, and name the offending person, or identify them as best as one can, specifically.

Sorry for your bad experience. Just remember, life is good but far too short to waste time on idiots.


jeff

[rocscotjoe]

This makes me think of some of my favorite song lyrics. From James McMurtry's "Red Dress"

Yes I'm drunk but damn you're ugly
Tell you one thing yes I will
Tomorrow morning I'll be sober
You'll be just as ugly still

2nd grade I know...but damn, it feels good sometimes...