Turning Heads at the Cracker Barrel

[ChubRock]

I was weak this morning and suggested that me and the Mrs go to our local Cracker barrel for pancakes. They are so good and for $5.99 and a cup of coffee a treat better than I can make at home.

For those of you not in in North America, Cracker Barrel is a southern-style country restaurant with a BIG gift shop in the front. They have been popping up all over the U.S. Southern style food at a good, fair price. My favorite next to the pancakes is the batter-fried okra.

Well it seems that mostly retired folk eat breakfast on Saturdays. I went kilted and did I turn a lot of heads. Many smiles, a few chuckles but mostly puzzled faces. No one said anything to me, but it started a conversation at our table...

Wife asked, "Do you kilt to get noticed?" I really have to think about this. To be honest, I think the answer is a little. It is my heritage, I enjoy the freedom, I like the style and yes I like being different. But I don't think I am trying to be the center of attention.

Why do you all wear kilts?

[Zardoz]

I eat a weekend breakfast at the local Cracker Barrel pretty regularly. Mostly the citizens just look at me funny, or ask if there's a parade or games, etc. At least every other visit one will assume I work there.
The staff likely just thinks "Here comes that kilt guy again", but sometimes I get a little extra fawning over by my waitress.

[Lady M]

Dang it... Now I want pancakes.

[Dall_Piobaire]

Well, that's an awesome question, and I can't wait to hear the responses!

My home is where my heart is, and my heart has always been for all things scottish from earliest childhood. My Grandfather fascinated me and I followed him around everywhere! I heard my first pipes when I was very young and there is no way to explain what they did for me!

Now, it saddens me to say that I am not full blooded Scot, but I am full blooded Celt, and proud of it!

To wear the kilt, for me, is a celebration of a life long love, as is playing the pipes. It is an honor to wear the tartan of a very old clan, as well as to have direct blood from that line.

I don't wear mine all the time, for me it is special, it's not a pair of shorts, or something one just throws on. I don't wear it to attract attention, or to be different. I really would rather not attract attention, and I don't wear to impress or prove something. I don't need to prove a thing. Now this is just me, just how I feel about it. It's not directed at anyone, nor am I trying to make a statement.

I was struck by a comment made sometime back though, to paraphrase it as I remember it was to say, how does one find a Scotsman at a Highland games? He's the one not wearing the kilt.

You are what you are on the inside, in your heart, and that is what matters most!

[EagleJCS]

What Dall Piobaire said!

[JolyStNicholas]

I'm setting in my hotel in Boone N.C. trying to decide on what to go out for
supper now you went and made it even harder, I have to get out the local phone book and check out the pancake house's.

[Big Mikey]

I wear a kilt because due to my size I stand out anyhow. Why not look good as well?

[McMurdo]

I was kilted at the Cracker Barrel in March on the way to NC got to say there were some looks but everyone was nice. As to why I wear one, for me it started for traditional reasons, I do however like the attention at this point it is all positive, though at first I did have to deal with my share of twits, I find the more confident I am the better the comments have become.

[Phogfan86]

It's been said before, but I'll say it again: when I go kilted, I walk a wee bit taller and more confident. I like how I feel and look when I wear it. I can't say the same thing for every article of clothing I own.

And the attention's nice, too. I ain't gonna lie.

[ghostlight]

Why do you all wear kilts?

Because if I take it off, they'll arrest me.