Wearing a Kilt in New Mexico

[yojackus]

Wore a Utilikilt (recently purchased) to Thanksgiving dinner at a friend's place today.

I live in Northwest New Mexico, the land of Republicans and TEA Party enthusiasts. Redneckville.

I'm 3/4 Scot, 1/4 English.

Stopped to fill up the car- People looked away...

Went inside to buy some beer. The clerk's face turned red when I walked in- Picked up my beer; the clerk's face was still red but he realized that it was OK when I asked for a can of Copenhagen long cut.

A co-worker's husband was quite uncomfortable when I sat down on the sofa next to him with a beer to watch the Dallas/ St. Louis game. After a bit he realized that I wasn't a fruit, just a guy in a kilt.

I am quite sure that I am the first guy to wear a kilt in public in Farmington, NM and I look damned good in it.

Wearing a kilt in NW NM is not for the faint of heart. That being said, they're just gonna have to get used to it...

[Bill aka Mole]

The Midlands of South Carolina can be just as tough. The battleline gets drawn very quickly when I'm seen in a kilt. There are thousands of them and one of me, so unfair; I shall win this battle of hearts and minds using only a kilt and a smile. If there were two of us I'm sure we'd finished in a week. Not too bad when you consider that I'm not even Scottish!

[tinksdad]

I like your spirit!!

It's not a whole lot different down here in the Bible belt. While I am close to Memphis, TN I actually live in a small town across the state line in NW Mississippi. Definitely a 21st Century version of Mayberry RFD. It doesn't stop me though. I wear my kilt out and about whenever I can. The girls at my insurance company are used to seeing me when I stop in to make my monthly payment. The last time I was there, I finally met the owner for the first time. I thought he might need help getting his jaw off the floor. Probably the worst time ever was at this years Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks display in the town park. The adults were cool about it; but the waist band around the butt with boxers showing teen age crowd just couldn't get it and a lot of rude comments were tossed my way. I just ignored them and enjoyed the evening for what it was... a celebration of the country's independence. If they don't like it, they can kiss my :butt: .

Kilt on. The more they see you, the sooner they will get used to it.

[Geoff Withnell]

y all means, Kilt On! Actually, I hate to urst your bubble, but I think as a new kilt wearer, sometimes we think every reaction is to the kilt. I know I was overly sensitive to people's reactions at first. I'm coming up on 3 years of consistently wearing a kilt when out and about, and it just rolls off my back we people do make comments. Of course, it may be that after seeing me in the mall once or twice, people are just thinking, "oh there's that kilted guy again".

Anyway I love the attitude. Wear it with pride.
Geoff Withnell

[Chas]

Glad to hear that the experience was positive.

Regards

Chas

[Tobus]

I live in Northwest New Mexico, the land of Republicans and TEA Party enthusiasts. Redneckville.

Wow, nice stereotype. I find it humorously ironic that your thread is about fighting the stereotype of a guy in a kilt being thought a "fruit", yet you freely dispense your own stereotype of political beliefs with "rednecks". Do you not think that if stereotypes are to be defeated, it should go both ways?

That said, I do know where you're coming from. I'm in a similar situation, living in a very rural and conservative area of Texas. The usual first reaction to seeing a kilt around here is shock that someone has stepped out of the norm. But I'm finding that their reactions are not so much a function of what I'm wearing, but how I'm wearing it and how I present myself.

Confidence, presentation, and style go a long way. If you are wearing a non-traditional kilt and wearing it in, shall we say, a more "urban" style, rural folk may tend to view it negatively. Especially if you have a look of defiance about you, shooting challenging looks to everybody. But a friendly countenance, coupled with an air of self-confidence, can disarm their prejudices.

They may also be more accepting of a kilted fellow if they can identify it as something traditional, like a well put together authentic Scottish kilted outfit (complete with proper hose, sporran, etc.).

It's fun, in many ways, to experiment with different looks and gauge public reactions. Breaking down stereotypes and getting your community comfortable with seeing you in your kilt is something you just have to feel out yourself. All of us who are in similar situations are going through the same thing. So I wish you luck!

[biblemonkey]

Wow, nice stereotype. I find it humorously ironic that your thread is about fighting the stereotype of a guy in a kilt being thought a "fruit", yet you freely dispense your own stereotype of political beliefs with "rednecks". Do you not think that if stereotypes are to be defeated, it should go both ways?

True, and I have been far less judgmental of the appearance of other since becoming kilted, but it is true that in the "redneck" areas kilts are far more likely to get you thought of as a cross dresser. I am a man from a family which sports tons of rednecks, a few intelligencia, and one part Scot part Yaqui indian kiltie-me. While the family is very accepting of the kilt, it still makes some people uncomfortable. My pastor is an amazing and honest man of God, ex-alchoholic, marine for life, seen the world and then some. He has seen it all and doesn't judge anybody based on appearance, or at least tries not to. He still has a problem with the kilt. It's the "good 'ol boy" in him. As long as we are just being ourselves and not wearing the kilt in certain situations to "start something" most will eventually be won over. For the rest there is simply no hope and, unless they become violent, should be left to their backwards opinions.

All the best in the wilds of "redneckdom",
Hugh

[denmcdough]

[GMan]

I am sitting in Silver City, NM (southwestern NM) as I type this and really have had nothing but great comments about Kilt wearing. To me it has to do with attitude.

I do travel frequently and rather spur of the moment to NM, and do find it enchanting.

Just sayin'

[Zardoz]

Can't say I've been through Farmington, but I have been traditionally kilted in and around Ruidoso, Roswell, Carizozo and Alamagordo without incident. But then again I guess the OP would think my political stance would fit right in with "Redneckville".