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04-13-2008, 09:15 PM
|  | | | Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Posts: 3,020
| | | I am asked The Question!
As some of you know I volunteer at the Royal BC Museum as a Docent, and have for 11 years now. This afternoon I am waiting for my group of visitors when the lady who is in charge of all the volunteers approaches me.
Now to set the stage properly I have to say I have a great deal of respect and admiration for this lady. She is professional, and always polite and courteous. She also has a wicked sense of humour.
As she approached I could tell she was not in her usual good mood. And it is rare to see her at the museum on a Sunday.
She begun a conversation with the usual small talk about the fine weather we are having and about the attendance at the museum. Then she suddenly changed. I could tell she was uncomfortable and sort of figured what was coming next as I have been expecting it for the last three years.
She began by apologizing for asking, but explained that as a staff member it had fallen on her to approach me with THE QUESTION. She profusely apologized for having to inquire whether while on duty, and in front of the public, if I wore my kilts in the Regimental manner.
I usually take great offense at being asked The Question. I view it as an improper sexual innuendo. But in this case it was clear that it was only the museum's concern for its visitors that forced her to ask. It was also clear that she was very upset about having to ask and would have preferred to be any where else at that moment.
So I thought that I should break the ice and put her more at ease.
Now, this reason didn't really go through my mind at the moment, I was not taken aback because I knew the reason she asked. I was also not offended or upset.
So what pops out of my mouth before I even thought it fully through but.....
"OMG, I've just realized, I'm actually naked under my clothes!"
And then with my eyes as wide as I could make them and my mouth hanging open I said, while pointing at her, "And I now I've just realized, SO ARE YOU!"
After the laughter died down, I was able to put her mind at ease that I never go regimental while at the museum. I then asked if she had ever received a negative comment about me wearing my kilt while on duty.
She replied that no, all the comments from visitors had been positive and that in fact most thought my kilt was an asset and that I always looked well dressed.
With the hard part of her questioning over we then spent the next ten minutes talking about kilts and how I handle visitors when The Question is brought up by them. It turned into a very good conversation. And I have to say that I am glad it is finally out of the way.
__________________ Steve Ashton
www.Freedomkilts.com
2nd Laird of Lochaber
Skype (webcam enabled) thewizardofbc
I wear the kilt because: Swish + Swagger = Swoon. |
04-13-2008, 09:20 PM
|  | Retired Forum Manager
Gentleman of X Marks | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Jose, California
Posts: 8,781
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Steve,
Fun story!
The next time I am asked I will take a page from no other than Christopher Lee's book. I will respond:
"Can you keep a secret?"
Of course they will respond "YES!"
Then I will say "So can I!"
Cheers
Jamie
__________________
-See it there, a white plume
Over the battle - A diamond in the ash
Of the ultimate combustion-My panache
Edmond Rostand |
04-13-2008, 09:23 PM
| | Has not logged in for 1 year | | Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,930
| | Quote:
Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC  "OMG, I've just realized, I'm actually naked under my clothes!"
And then with my eyes as wide as I could make them and my mouth hanging open I said, while pointing at her, "And I now I've just realized, SO ARE YOU!" | I feel you handled that extremely well.. and I shall take it as an example the next time I am asked  Quote:
Originally Posted by Panache The next time I am asked I will take a page from no other than Christopher Lee's book. I will respond:
"Can you keep a secret?"
Of course they will respond "YES!"
Then I will say "So can I!" | Excellent response.. can't believe I never thought of that.
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04-13-2008, 09:33 PM
|  | Has not logged in for 1 year | | Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Florida
Posts: 914
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Steve: 
Jamie:  |
04-13-2008, 09:55 PM
|  | | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Desert SW USA
Posts: 10,919
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Sounds like it all worked out, so good for that.
__________________
…
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04-13-2008, 11:08 PM
|  | | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA
Posts: 1,610
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__________________
- your friendly local Poor, Starving Theology Student
“Not all those who wander are lost.” — J. R. R. Tolkein
“The highest and most beautiful things in life are not to be heard about, nor read about, nor seen but, if one will, are to be lived.” — Sřren Kierkegaard
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04-13-2008, 11:58 PM
|  | Has not logged in for 1 year | | Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: phoenix, az
Posts: 25
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a couple of truly great answers there. i will have to try them out ext time i am asked The question!
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From the lone sheiling of the misty island
Mountains divide us, and the waste of seas-
Yet still the blood is strong, the heart is Highland,
And we in dreams behold the hebridies.
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04-14-2008, 04:39 AM
|  | Retired Forum Moderator | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 12,178
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Great story Steve, given the circumstanxces I think it was handled perfectly. I'll have to remember that response.
__________________
"If the Party could thrust its hand into the past and say this or that even, it never happened—that, surely, was more terrifying than mere torture and death."
- George Orwell, 1984, Book 1, Chapter 3
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04-14-2008, 08:08 AM
|  | | | Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 354
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Great story, but the fact is that you were still asked by your employer to prove you were a good employee (even if in a voluntary position). You handled it well.
__________________
His Grace Lord Stuart in the Middle of Fishkill St Wednesday
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04-14-2008, 08:14 AM
| | Membership Revoked | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California
Posts: 4,581
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On my recent trip to Laughlin Nevada, I was asked "the question" by this little old lady and I responded with "Aren't we all naked under our clothes?" and she came back with "I'm not!" - - I didn't know what to say, so just smiled and walked away?????????
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