Kilts, pants and habituation

[Barry]

I was talking with a psychology teacher friend of my last night and told him that I was so used to wearing kilts that trousers now felt odd.

He replied that this was an example of habituation. In order to avoid over stimulus the brain "blanks out" constant stimuli and only looks for changes in stimuli. ( my words - his were fancier)

What this means in practice is that any new clothing will feel strange for a time but then we become used to it. I'm sure that you dedicated kilt wearers will attest to the fact that the kilt feels normal. Newbies often love their kilts but are not necessarily at home in them.

The down side is that getting the guy in the street into a kilt is not only socially difficult, he has to overcome habituation to trousers or jeans (I used to wear jeans a lot and thought them comfortable. Now I haven't worn jeans in 10 years and I find them dreadful)

Now going back to the change in stimulus; the kilt gives positives - the sway while walking for example, and the airiness. Trousers give negatives - chafing, hot and sticky in warm weather.

To sum up: the more you wear the kilt, the better it becomes

[McGurk]

Once I have a few kilts in my wardrobe, I'll start wearing them more regularly, for the comfort factor. for the moment, my kilt is for special occations.

I'd say its easier to go from pants to kilts then vice versa as moving to a kilt is a reduction in stimuli. Habituation is a well known fact, I do martial arts on an off, and it always hurts when I get back after a break. After a while, the aches and pains fade, but we all (at the club) know they really go away, you just get used to the beaten-up feeling.

[sharpdressedscot]

I try to wear my kilt as often as I am allowed, but I still wear jeans everyday. Maybe I won't soon, once I acquire a few more kilts.

[Riverkilt]

Well, your professor has it correct for sure. You can give him my example...it is all too common for me to forget to zip up when I wear pants for some reason. Got out of the habit of zipping up with kilts. Pull the garment on and go....

Yes, I'm olde too and pretty much drank the majority of brain cells away over years of taste testing alcoholic beverages in the interest of consumer science...but I think its more the change in physical routine than it is early dementia....at least I hope....maybe...could be either....

Point is that its become embarrassing to show up somewhere panted and realize there's a draft and have to find a descrete way to zip up...

One more reason to stay kilted.

Ron

[string]

I know that feeling, after a reenactment I move to pick up my skirts when I go up stairs, and shoes feel quite odd. Not to mention having what is essentially a back brace on for a week and then taking it off makes you hurt, because you haven't had to hold yourself up and the muscles that were all relaxed have to tense up.

[BoldHighlander]

It's like in driving a car, going from manual transmission to automatic. I will find myself at first stomping for a pedal that isn't there!

[Nick the DSM]

It's like in driving a car, going from manual transmission to automatic. I will find myself at first stomping for a pedal that isn't there!

lol, did you crash?!

[Coemgen]

I still have to switch back and forth. I wear kilts pretty much full time during the week, but when I'm at home on the weekends, I usually wear jeans or shorts, to keep the peace in the family.

[Clockwork John]

I still have to switch back and forth. I wear kilts pretty much full time during the week, but when I'm at hoe on the weekends, I usually wear jeans or shorts, to keep the peace in the family.

I do the opposite. I wear pants during the week for work, and I wear kilts on the weekends.

[James MacMillan]

To sum up: the more you wear the kilt, the better it becomes