Another form of "the question"

[Ian.MacAllan]

I wore my SWK Hunting McLean to a church House Group dinner last night, the first time any of those people but my wife had seen me kilted. Most were very graciously courteous and interested in my kilt, but one woman opened her conversation with the statement, "I want to ask you a question that may make you angry."

Now bear in mind that I have known this woman and her husband for 20 years. Their son and ours were members of the same Cub Pack and Scout Troop and we have been parishioners at the same church for 16 years. I treasure their friendship, but from this woman I do not expect tact.

So I replied, "Ask away," and she responded, "Are you wearing underwear under that thing?"

Well, I was. I always do when I first venture into a new environment and am not certain what to expect. So I replied, "Yes!" and she turned away in silence and obvious annoyance; I had spoiled her fun. I think the rest of the Group were pleased that that subject had been dismissed so quickly, because it did not arise again. Sometimes it is best to "take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing, end them."

.

[Yaish]

"I want to ask you a question that may make you angry."

At that point I would have told her "Then why ask it?"

[Bugbear]

Glad you ended it for the good and benifit of all involved, but the time and place seems off kilter.

[Prester John]

I'm with Yaish.

"Why ask it?" is arguably the best response to that kind of question, but you handled it well in any event!

[Gàidhlig]

That doesn't strike me as a question that would make someone angry. Uncomfortable, maybe....but even then those of us that wear Kilts, shouldn't we expect that sort of question? After all, it IS widely rumored that true Scotsmen don't wear underwear under their Kilt.

[pipesndrumsnun]

Good for you for shutting her down!

[CactusJack]

If a person thinks tha a question might anger some one than why even ask it.
Just doesn't make sense to me, but a great story none the less.

[McMurdo]

Well given the surroundings and the situation, I think you handled yourself wonderfully. Good for you, I'm sure she was looking for a different answer but we can't always get what we want now can we.

[Alaskan Kilted Guy]

I just think it is real strange, that in today's politically correct world, people think that asking others if they are wearing undergarments is ok. I suppose that it is a well known myth, but does one really have to ask, no matter the environment?

Anywho, the question does come up, and having a broad repetoir of snappy comebacks, I usually just go with "Do you really care?"

My two cents....

[Joel]

I think you handled the situation well.

It's almost as if people revert to a child-like fastination when they see a man in a kilt...and since they've heard the stories of what's not worn under the kilt...they seem to want to know if it's true then.