A Simple Observation

[GMan]

Hell-o all,

I was mulling over in my mind some of the posts here, including mine. It seems that we are all getting more and more positive in the responses we get, this is wonderful to hear.

I did some very unscientific research today while going about my chores. I noticed that I tuned out all the negative talk, all those look at that guy in a skirt comments, the laughs and the snickers. But what I noticed about them all was that they seemed very sloppy in their own appearance, looking like they were grasping for validation on their own ability to be human.

I shall tell you of one thing that I did when I saw someone with a little evil look in his eye tap his buddy on the shoulder and start to make a comment in the negative. I looked him straight in the eye, gave him a thumbs up and one great big smile. He didn't know what to do, except to stop in his tracks and get a look in his eye that turned from a negative to a bit of confusion. He didn't know how to handle himself, but he did give me a very weak smile in return.

Go bravely Kilted in your tasks.

[Southern Breeze]

Well said!

[Manu]

Thats the best thing to do. They dont expect us to fight back, but we beat them even before tehy start to get ready. Us kilted men are a breed apart.

[KiltedKnight]

Personally, I'm kind of used to it. I wore the U.S. Army uniform voluntarily for 21 years through the Viet Nam years when they used to spit on it, for those of you who don't remember those years.
I take it in stride now as I did then. There are those types that just don't get it. There aren't very many these days but they're there and as you said, they dress very sloppy and yet feel they have some right to critique someone elses style.
By the way, those that used to attempt to belittle me for wearing a uniform and being a soldier? I see them every once in a while on the streets, drunk or burned out from drugs. They have nothing going for them and never will so I guess that fate has a way of dealing with them, it doesn't make me happy or sad one way or the other but I still take it in stride.
Like my mother used to say, "Consider the source".

Chris.

[Shay]

Personally, I'm kind of used to it. I wore the U.S. Army uniform voluntarily for 21 years through the Viet Nam years when they used to spit on it, for those of you who don't remember those years.

Not everyone, love. You say 'they," but here are many who believed what you did was honorable, even if those in command at the time may or may not have been. They just weren't as vocal about it.

-Shay

[KiltedKnight]

Not everyone, love. You say 'they," but here are many who believed what you did was honorable, even if those in command at the time may or may not have been. They just weren't as vocal about it.

-Shay

I had intended to thank you for these kind words sooner but know that I and many others appreciate them.

Chris.

[NewKilt]

Interesting observation, Glen. When I get some laughs or snickers I'll pay attention to how those folks are dressed. I wouldn't be surprised if I find the same thing. Your post made me think about the fact that people who have complimented me when kilted have also been dressed presentably themselves.

Your thumbs up and smile at that guy were actually a form of confrontation. In my opinion, people try to avoid confrontation (makes them stand out). Conversley, we that wear kilts know that we stand out and are prepared to deal with what comes our way.

Darrell

[Andrew Breecher]

Sometimes I catch someone looking at my kilt, and see them nudge the person next to them to point it out. When they both turn back, I give them a wink and a smile, and they're always thrown way off-guard. Once they regain their composure, if they smile back, I'll go over and talk with them. If they just get flustered, I don't care and go about my business.

Andrew.

[philbo]

I keep in mind that anyone who stares, gawks, or gives me any sort of look, most of them are probably just jealous. However, I haven't been getting many looks as of late. Maybe I'm less aware of people's looks, or maybe I've worn my kilt so much that the whole town is used to it by now. However, while grocery shopping today, I was waiting in a rather long line, and another woman came up and waited in line behind me, when there was clearly a shorter line on either side of me. She expertly avoided any staring, as far as I noticed (but since she was behind me, there could've been lots that I didn't notice). I can't be certain why she chose to stand in the longest line, but I'd bet that the kilt had something to do with it.