Rare Compliment

**Rex_Tremende** · 26th August 06, 06:46 PM

Last night I attended the graduation party for a friend who recently finished his Ph.D. Many of the guests were, to my disappointment, in jeans, and most were business casual. I was expecting something a little nicer, so I gussied up in my best kilt, the Douglas Modern heavyweight, white shirt with green and blue knotted cufflinks, striped tie matching the colors the kilt, the three-dog knot belt, cream hose with green flashes, shiney black dress shoes, and Rob Roy sporran. It's the most dressed up that I've ever been in a kilt since I started wearing them, and, frankly, I thought I looked pretty good. It was a nice party, and I'm glad I took the time and attention to look my best.

Now, some background: I live in an area with a substantial African-American population, and my kilted encounters with people from this community often come with a certain heightened attention and, let's say, unequal amount of amusement. One place where we often interact is the UDF (United Dairy Farmers) gas station/convenience store that is on my way home, where I may stop for a dish of ice cream after a long night of dancing or partying. In one example, one evening a woman laughed herself silly for a good five minutes or so after seeing me.

So, when I got there last night, two young ladies - teens, I think - were waiting for their milkshakes at the counter. They looked me up and down, and one of the girls tilted her head up to me and asked, "Why you got that on?"

"Because I went to a party tonight and I wanted to look nice," I answered, matter-of-factly.

"Well," she said in the most polite tone, "you look very sharp."

That so totally made my day.

Regards,
Rex in Cincinnati

**pdcorlis** · 26th August 06, 07:00 PM

Priceless!

**Southern Breeze** · 26th August 06, 07:03 PM

Great story, thanks for sharing it with us. That is indeed priceless.

**Tattoo Bradley** · 26th August 06, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by Rex_Tremende

"Why you got that on?"

I've been presented that query WORD FOR WORD more than I care to.

Also, often about my ears... I won't even get into the irony I see in the stretched earlobe confusion with said community...

**David Dalglish** · 27th August 06, 12:25 AM

Makes it all worth while

**turpin** · 27th August 06, 06:32 AM

Originally Posted by Tattoobradley

I've been presented that query WORD FOR WORD more than I care to.

Also, often about my ears... I won't even get into the irony I see in the stretched earlobe confusion with said community...

A bit OT here, but how big a plug are you up too, Tattoo? When I was in Kenya one of our guides would twist his lobe loop once and flip it up over the top of his ear. A very different look.

**NewKilt** · 27th August 06, 10:10 PM

Great story Rex. By your description, you did indeed look very sharp, and the young lady recognized it.

We have a substantial African-American population here. I have noticed that I get more questions (and compliments) from African-American men than any other men. Perhaps it's because they are more in touch with their own heritage, and recognize the kilt as a Scottish garment with it's own heritage.

Darrell