My Tartan Day so far!

**Cynthia** · 6th April 09, 11:02 AM

I didn't think I'd be able to really get out and do anything today, but for some reason I had forgotten my husband had a doctor's appointment this morning. I decided since I was going out that I would wear something for Tartan Day afterall. I rushed around to get ready and tossed the SWK Thrifty Irish National on and we headed out. Christopher had a lot of important things on his mind (annual check-up to see how his pituitary tumor and levels are) and had to go to work after, so he did not wear the kilt (he'll wear that for me later probably)

I wore my tall black boots, and a frilly black top tucked in (still can't wait to get a better fitting kilted skirt in my tartan).

It's a bit windy out there and when we were in the parking lot, I'm glad Christopher was behind me. Oops!

Thankfully that was the only time (he said the back didn't blow up all the way, but still... eek), but we were still careful anytime I was outside. The kilt pin kind of helped a bit on the apron, so I was glad I had that there.

It turned out to be a good thing that I wore it! When his doctor came in to chat with us, he immediately looked at me and said I looked like I just stepped out of the Highlands!

I told him it was the Irish National tartan and that today is National Tartan Day. He said that his family comes from the Borders and chatted a little about Scotland and Ireland.

This is the most interesting point. Usually, I go to these appointments and generally feel a bit ignored. We've been seeing this doctor for a few years now and while he's not bad, we've never had as good an appointment as today's. He was more chatty. Friendlier. He seemed to take a lot more time with Christopher and genuinely did seem to make sure we had all our questions answered. Like I said, it's not that he's a bad doctor or anything, it was more like the talk about the tartan just broke the ice and put everybody in a better mood to really chat and get to business. We left feeling a lot more confident about the situation and even feeling a bit better about staying with him instead of trying to find someone else to try another route of treatment (he's been the main doctor over the past few years since Christopher's diagnosis).

That was really the only story about the Thrifty, but I do have another story that makes me a bit proud. I obviously won't have to come up with great one-liners about wearing a tartan skirt like you guys have to do for the kilt. I have to be on my toes of course when Christopher is wearing a kilt and I'm hoping I'll be able to pull off any comments when the time comes. I'm usually incredibly shy and can have a bit of a slow reaction when I'm taken off guard.

Christopher had to get some blood drawn for testing and I was in the waiting area. There was no one else in there except for an older lady who made a point to not make eye contact with me or say one word. Another lady walked by the waiting room doorway and she had long, knee length blonde hair (remember, my hair is about mid-calf length and I'm really tall. I usually keep my hair up in a bun).

I was looking at this lady's hair and smiling -- it's not often for me to see long hair like that and much like you guys are happy to see another kilted man, this was similar for me.

Suddenly I heard this awful snorting laugh and I looked at the older woman in the waiting room across from me.

"Can you believe that? RIDICULOUS!!"

"What?" I asked.

"Her hair," motioning to her leg with this harsh chopping motion and again making a really snarky, hateful laughing noise.

Without skipping a beat and with the most serious look I could muster (voice dripping with "well you're just a big meanie, aren't you?" tone) I replied:

"Heh. Mine's a bit longer" and I then ignored her and didn't even look in her direction again.

She squirmed a bit and turned away from me a little. I hope I taught her a little lesson. My hair may have been up, but she had offended me without realizing it (not really of course, I'll lose no sleep caring about what one mean, opinionated woman thinks about me). Who knows? Some people, you know? I just wanted her to THINK about what comes out of her mouth before she goes and does something rude like that again. Even an "oh MY... that was long" would have been just fine. That doesn't say she hates it or likes it. If she felt the need to say anything at all, that is. I know I sure didn't say anything (imagine that).

I do have to admit, it made me wonder what she would have thought if Christopher had decided to wear a kilt today. Her head would have exploded from all the "ridiculous" people there today, I'm sure. Oh! Maybe she told the next woman who came in after I left "you should have seen the woman in here a little while ago with a loud plaid skirt! The NERVE of her!"

Anyway, at least I know I can deliver some one-liners that have a bit of a jab to them when I need to

I hope everyone else is having a great Tartan Day!

**vmac3205** · 6th April 09, 11:12 AM

I would have said, "look at that woman's hair. WOW WOW WOW!!!". Hang in there Cynthia. There is a reason there is a bumper sticker thats says "mean people suck." Thank you for carrying the tartan torch. I'm at work in uniform, and unable to do so.

**Cynthia** · 6th April 09, 11:18 AM

I'm honestly surprised I didn't take off after the golden-haired maiden

(I think she worked in the doctor's office, but more of an admin position or not on duty at the moment). I was half-tempted to chat with her and ask her if she was a member of a long haired board I'm on. That mean woman's reaction sort of shocked me out of my "nice moment." Oh, all the things I could have said, but I just thought simple and to-the-point were best.

And yup! That bumper sticker is right!

I realize the kilt, long hair, and many other things aren't for everyone, but it just amazed me that this woman hadn't said one word to me until she wanted to spew bile. No thanks, ma'am! Have a lovely day!

I do wish hubby had worn the kilt though... I bet she'd have really been twitching then! Heheheh! I'm just so glad I got a chance to wear tartan today. I can't believe I didn't make the connection and remember I would be out at least until about noon

Yay!

**Andy** · 6th April 09, 11:54 AM

I had to take my 19 month son in to the doctor for his check up and some shots today as well. Of course, I was wearing (and still am) my Highland Granite. Noone in the waiting room said anything, but the doctor sure did when he came in. A little more chatty than usual and started telling me stories of kilted weddings and such. The best part was, my son didn't even whimper when they gave him two shots in the legs....ahhhhh....the power of the kilt!