Rude to: or rude-not-to?

**DamnthePants** · 30th May 10, 10:17 PM

I was working today and a guy walks in in a kilt. A nice one too. Only thing was, he had it on backwards. Now I didnt know if this guy was going to something, or coming from something, but so far in his day, no one has told him he is wearing his kilt backwards.

I struggle with the call, but in the end, when I saw he was off near an empty section of the store, I stolled up to him, complemented him, then very casualy told him that he had it on backwards. He didnt seem upset, or embarrased, he just said he didnt know there was a front or back.

He leaves

I though.. cant help but feel I did something wrong. I feel conflicted. Was I out of place? Would it have been worse to not do anything and let him go and maybe get formal pictures taken with it backwards?

I dont know!

**Colin MacBean** · 30th May 10, 10:19 PM

I think the biggest thing you need to able to get across in a situation like that is that you want to help not correct. It does depend on how they take it though

Tough call.

**Rx2000** · 30th May 10, 11:28 PM

I think that's a big enough oopsie to have to butt-in.

Wearing 1/2 your clothes backwards is a little more of a problem than some of the more nit-picky details like whether it's worn too low, or if you're wearing both a belt and a waistcoat (OMG!

) or if your ghillies aren't tied just right.

Hopefully he appreciated the help, fixed himself up, and avoided possibly greater embarrassment.

**Bugbear** · 30th May 10, 11:36 PM

I tried putting on a kilt backward once just to see what all the hub bub was. It didn't feel like it fit right at all, and it was a little difficult to get the strap through the buttonhole with it behind me.

I just don't see how people end up with it backward.

Guess you could ask him if he had a transporter glitch while beaming down...

**Riverkilt** · 30th May 10, 11:52 PM

Sorta like letting a stranger know his fly is open. I'm guessing he's grateful for the help.

**Downunder Kilt** · 31st May 10, 12:35 AM

To me, you did the right thing. From what you say you didn't make a big deal of it and you told him on the QT. As has been said, you probaly saved him from greater embarrassment down the track.

**Chas** · 31st May 10, 01:20 AM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

Sorta like letting a stranger know his fly is open. I'm guessing he's grateful for the help.

I agree with Ron. I always tell someone if their shoelaces are undone; or if they are loosing their belt from their belted raincoat; or their child has thrown its toy out of the pram; or; or; or...

It is only polite and is part of the social interaction that makes us human. I think you did the right thing.

Regards

Chas

**Jock Scot** · 31st May 10, 01:48 AM

You handled the situation perfectly, if I may say so.

**artificer** · 31st May 10, 03:26 AM

Sounds like you handled it as well as it could be handled. You didn't draw everyone's attention to the problem, didn't mock, just 'provided assistance'.

I'm sure he was a bit

and will probably, after a while, be grateful for your intervention.

**RockyR** · 31st May 10, 04:39 AM

I think you did the right thing as well.

I ALWAYS (politely) pipe up when I see someone wearing a kilt backwards. I think you handled it well. My typical comments (which it sounds like yours were close to):

I really like your kilt. Where did you get it? .... As a kiltwearer myself, I felt I had to point something out to you though. The pleats go in the back. I'm just trying to help your great outfit look even better.

If he seems embarrassed, I re-assure him that "You'd be surprised... LOTS of guys make that mistake".

If he's stand-offish or insists that he's correct, then I just politely say (with no malice or snickering), "If you're comfortable wearing it that way, then it's fine. I was just trying to be of assistance. You look great."... and walk away. He'll either start to second guess himself later and look it up online OR continue to stubornly wear it backwards and make a fool of himself.