Backwards kilts?

**Geoduck** · 12th July 05, 04:02 PM

As I posted a few weeks back, I had to correct my brother in law from this embarasing situation. That's fine, he's family and besides, it was my job to educate him.

Long story short, my wife and I are enjoying the Highland games in Graham, WA, and a guy (probably about 25) walks up and is standing about 10 feet away, with a kilt sitting w/ pleats facing forward.

Is there a tactful way to correct him? or is it best to just leave well enough alone?

Side note: I disappointed the Menzies representatives when I showed up in my SWK Heavy blackwatch. I had to explain that I was traveling with my dog on my lap, and I didn't want to subject my Menzies tartans (wool) to any danger. Besides, I had no idea they would be there. Oh well, I'll wait until the Seattle games to break out the Menzies.

**Rigged** · 12th July 05, 04:23 PM

I'd probably go up to him, compliment him on the tartan and quality of workmanship, then casually mention that his kilt was on backwards.

**Ugly Bear** · 12th July 05, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by Geoduck

... a guy (probably about 25) walks up and is standing about 10 feet away, with a kilt sitting w/ pleats facing forward.

Is there a tactful way to correct him? or is it best to just leave well enough alone?

I ran into this situation myself. The guy was parading around pleats-forward, and I just told him, "Dude, you've got that on backwards." He replied with complete conviction, "No, you can wear it either way."

Moral: Go ahead and correct him (he's probably very new to this, and probably want to get it right), but don't expect the correction to necessarily stick.

**macwilkin** · 12th July 05, 04:32 PM

To use an old cliche, "the truth hurts" sometimes...but the way the truth is delivered shouldn't!

I think it is good when the "old salts" try to educate the "newbies", although the latter may not always appreciate it. They'll learn soon enough.

Maybe a trip to the beer tent -- the correction may go down easier over a pint! :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd

**Planopiper** · 13th July 05, 06:05 AM

Well, I'm not buying a guy a beer just so I can help him avoid embarassment. When I see someone wearing a kilt backwards I go up to him and tell him as discretely as possible, but I'm doing him a favor. I have had it happen once where I told someone that his kilt was on backwards and he laughed and told me I was the first person all day to mention it. He put it on backwards purposely to see what would happen. From his accent, I figured he probably did know the right way to wear a kilt. It's amazing to me, though, that someone can be at an event where he'll see dozens or maybe even hundreds of guys wearing kilts and not realize his is the only one with the pleats in the front.

As a side note, I once mentioned to a woman at work that I thought her kilt skirt was on backwards because the pleats were in the front. My wife tells me this was a bad idea.

**macwilkin** · 13th July 05, 06:13 AM

Originally Posted by Planopiper

Well, I'm not buying a guy a beer just so I can help him avoid embarassment. When I see someone wearing a kilt backwards I go up to him and tell him as discretely as possible, but I'm doing him a favor. I have had it happen once where I told someone that his kilt was on backwards and he laughed and told me I was the first person all day to mention it. He put it on backwards purposely to see what would happen. From his accent, I figured he probably did know the right way to wear a kilt. It's amazing to me, though, that someone can be at an event where he'll see dozens or maybe even hundreds of guys wearing kilts and not realize his is the only one with the pleats in the front.

As a side note, I once mentioned to a woman at work that I thought her kilt skirt was on backwards because the pleats were in the front. My wife tells me this was a bad idea.

I never said to BUY him a beer, Planopiper -- just that the friendly atmosphere of the beer tent might be a better venue to inform him of his error! ;)

Cheers,

Todd

**davedove** · 13th July 05, 06:18 AM

Originally Posted by Ugly Bear

He replied with complete conviction, "No, you can wear it either way."

Well, TECHNICALLY he was correct. You can also wear jeans backwards, or a cowboy hat, or a shirt, but that doesn't mean it will look right or that it is the proper way to wear it. I say discreetly inform the person of their error. If the person does not accept the correction, let them be.

**Riverkilt** · 13th July 05, 08:17 AM

Seems like if he was at a Highland Games type event there would be no shortage of people eager to correct him. Might be fun to follow him around a while and see how many folks make that attempt.

Been my experience around Scots that we don't hesitate to set folks right...

Ron