new job, same old kilt

[Magnus Sporrano]

I left my old job last month working for the big company that let me wear the kilt to work almost every day.

I've been at this new company since Aug 9, and they knew that I was interested in wearing the kilt but I've been wearing pants to work until now.

Even though I got approval from HR and my boss to wear the kilt to work, I wanted the new crew to get to know me for who I am first instead of knowing me for what I wear.

But today I have the kilt on (Scottish Nat'l) and for the most part the response is even less than the last company, so far. I had one VP give me a good natured ribbing in the break room while I was getting my morning tea, but I gave it right back to him and we had a good laugh.

Other than that, I get a few quick looks & smiles, one guy saying "that ought to be mandatory dress code around here once a week for all the guys".

[Graham]

Even though I got approval from HR and my boss to wear the kilt to work, I wanted the new crew to get to know me for who I am first instead of knowing me for what I wear.

Interesting point of view, there would be some debate over that I guess, but I appreciate your reasons for saying it.
There is no doubt that many don't look past the kilt, I often wonder if what I have to say as a person has the same impact in a kilt. I may be wrong.

[GMan]

I understand what you are saying Magnus. Find out about the individual first I like that. Good to hear of the good reactions.

[Will]

Magnus,

Glad the new job is working out and that you can wear your kilt to work.

[Riverkilt]

Makes sense to me Mangus.

That's kinda what I did at my existing job. Started out kilted around town where coworkers and bosses ran into me kilted. Then wore kilts to out of the office work functions, parties mostly. Then wore a kilt on casual day. Then upped it to occasional regular days.

Today finishes my third week of wearing a kilt at work every day...

It worked for me in this small town where I'm already well known.

Maybe I could of jumped right in. Maybe it was me that needed to ease into it.

Don't matter much now....I'm there and lovin' it.

Ron

[MacConnachie]

Generally speaking, I only wear a kilt to work on days of "particular note," such as World Tartan Day or Burns' Birthday, or when the pipe band has a gig sometime that afternoon or evening. So folks around my workplace are somewhat accustomed to seeing me in one or the other of my kilts. I think it would be a hard task to convince my supervisors that this is what I'd wish to wear every day, and the truth, quite frankly, is that I don't (I know, I know -- GASPP!). However, we have what are popularly known in some places as "Aloha Fridays" or informal Fridays, in which other-than-usual attire is allowed or even encouraged. Wearing a kilt occasionally on such days may become part of my sartorial schedule. Hmmmm . . . you guys aren't TRYING to help me get in trouble, are you? Typically, I can do a pretty good job of that, all on my own.

Mac

[Magnus Sporrano]

Well I only had two negative experiences the whole day.

Early in the morning, one wee man said to me something like "what's with the skirt?" with a sneer. I saw him again later in the day as we were both rounding a corner going in opposite directions. I let him take the inside track and I must have tripped because he got body checked into the wall. "Oops sorry, must have tripped on my skirt." I have to be very very careful at my size doing things like this because last time someone tried roughing around with me a little, just goofing around, I accidentally broke two of his ribs and cracked his sternum. So this was a gentle check, but enough to send the guy a message that I am not taking crap from him about this.

Then towards the end of the day, a "lady" (and I use the term loosely) confronted me in front of my department about it. She kept saying things like "I'm not asking this in a bad way" and I gave her the benefit of the doubt at first but her questions got more and more insulting. Finally she's like "so when you're wearing that thing, do you prefer to be called 'Magnus' or 'Maggie'?" Now I would never strike a lady, but my demeanor changed at that point like flicking a light switch. "My name is 'Magnus' and not anything else. You're not amusing me, and I'd advise you to choose your words more carefully from this point on." She bugged out.

HR lady came by later and told me it looked great and she was hearing good things from my co-workers. Someone even suggested a mandatory kilt day once or twice a year for all the male employees (probably the same guy that told me we should do it once a week). Now that's something I'd like to see! ;-)

[Dreadbelly]

Well I only had two negative experiences the whole day.

Early in the morning, one wee man said to me something like "what's with the skirt?" with a sneer. I saw him again later in the day as we were both rounding a corner going in opposite directions. I let him take the inside track and I must have tripped because he got body checked into the wall. "Oops sorry, must have tripped on my skirt." I have to be very very careful at my size doing things like this because last time someone tried roughing around with me a little, just goofing around, I accidentally broke two of his ribs and cracked his sternum. So this was a gentle check, but enough to send the guy a message that I am not taking crap from him about this.

Then towards the end of the day, a "lady" (and I use the term loosely) confronted me in front of my department about it. She kept saying things like "I'm not asking this in a bad way" and I gave her the benefit of the doubt at first but her questions got more and more insulting. Finally she's like "so when you're wearing that thing, do you prefer to be called 'Magnus' or 'Maggie'?" Now I would never strike a lady, but my demeanor changed at that point like flicking a light switch. "My name is 'Magnus' and not anything else. You're not amusing me, and I'd advise you to choose your words more carefully from this point on." She bugged out.

HR lady came by later and told me it looked great and she was hearing good things from my co-workers. Someone even suggested a mandatory kilt day once or twice a year for all the male employees (probably the same guy that told me we should do it once a week). Now that's something I'd like to see! ;-)

The whole Maggie thing... I am sorry, but something bad would have happened to that woman. Not saying I would slap her around or anything, but something awful would have happened.

That's just infuriating.

[davedove]

Then towards the end of the day, a "lady" (and I use the term loosely) confronted me in front of my department about it. She kept saying things like "I'm not asking this in a bad way" and I gave her the benefit of the doubt at first but her questions got more and more insulting. Finally she's like "so when you're wearing that thing, do you prefer to be called 'Magnus' or 'Maggie'?" Now I would never strike a lady, but my demeanor changed at that point like flicking a light switch. "My name is 'Magnus' and not anything else. You're not amusing me, and I'd advise you to choose your words more carefully from this point on." She bugged out.

Sometimes, I can laugh along with the skirt jokes and such. But at other times, people can think they are funny long past the time they actually are. You handled the "lady" just fine.

[Doc Hudson]

The whole Maggie thing... I am sorry, but something bad would have happened to that woman. Not saying I would slap her around or anything, but something awful would have happened.

That's just infuriating.

Dread,

It would be mighty mean to punish the entire office just to gas one stupid woman.

The least you could do would be issue gas masks to non-combatants.