Four Days Kilted!

[sorcererdale]

This is a first for me, I wore a kilt the last four days. I know, for some of you that is nothing, but this was my first time. We went to a church assembly for our Synod as delegates for our Lutheran church, arriving at the location about 2 1/2 hours from our home. I had on my black UK Survival most of the time. There were 333 Lutherans which included pastors (ministers) and even the Bishop of our Synod.

The first comment came at McDonalds from the 20'ish guy taking our order. He was very friendly and was even talking to us before we got to the counter to order. He then asked about my kilt. I gave him a UK card and he said, "I'd probably not wear one as I am not Scottish." I replied, "You don't have to be Scottish to be comfortable!" So there is a new answer I just came up with.

Throughout the assembly I did get some looks, but not really many comments. Once, the Bishop, who knows us, said that he loved the kilt. I wore the tan Mocker with off white socks, and flashes for the banquette, but no more comments. When the assembly was over on Saturday, and we were leaving, the event photographer stopped me and said, "I have to have a picture for the history of this assembly." I looked for a good background and just as I was standing there for the picture, the Bishop was walking by and he quickly came beside me, put his arm around my shoulder, and we both ended up in the picture. I thought that was pretty cool.

The Bishop then asked how many kilts I have, and I told him, two. But it did seem strange to me to NOT have ANY pants along at all. No shorts, no lounging around pants, or anything, just two kilts. But I loved it! When we got back we went right to a HS graduation. I did get a few looks there, but not many.

Today we had many different events. First was a wedding during our church service to some people who had both lost or divorced their spouse. One of their guests, an older lady, came up to me after and asked if I play the bag pipes. I always say, "I can't even play the radio." Then she talked about the kilt a bit and wanted to know why it wasn't "plaid."

Then we went to a funeral visitation for a guy who had been in my wife's class in school. No comments there, even if it was at a Jehova's Witness Kingdom Hall. (No comments please, this is about kilts.)

[edited in later, as I forgot this part: I went to get gas from a station and a car load of teen guys started tooting and yelling at me from their car parked at the next store. I thought they were going to say something stupid so wasn't really listening, when I heard as I put the pump nozzle into my car, "The station is closed!" I never have seen a gas station closed on Sunday before. I should of thanked them, but put the hose back and drove off.]

Then from there we went to our niece's graduation party which was in conjunction with 3 others. No comments, but a few strange looks. **I want more kilts! Someday it will happen.**

[Cinnabar]

Yes, I know some people where kilts daily but I still haven't even gone 2 days in a row, so good for you. Sounds like you had a good time and got to enjoy a couple of kilts. That's always good news.

[Southern Breeze]

Congrats on the 4 days kilted! It sounds as if you had a good time and found that most of the problems are in our own heads.

[NewKilt]

Congratulations. You have certainly demonstrated that you have the confidence to wear a kilt anywhere. As you have found out, it's usually a non-issue ( no one says anything) or you get a few questions and/or compliments.

I can understand wanting more kilts. They can be addictive. Some folks are happy with one or two, others have fairly large collections. It depends somewhat on how often you wear a kilt. Should you find yourself wearing a kilt frequently, you might enjoy having a mix of traditional and contemporary styles.

Thanks for posting a very interesting story.

Darrell

[Panache]

sorcerdale,

Thanks for sharing your experiences. It sounds like you pull off wearing a kilt rather well. I notice you do not have a signature for your posts. If I may make a suggestion. I think you have come up with a great one.

"You don't have to be Scottish to be comfortable!"

Cheers

[LuxMundi]

That is a big step! My first time out, I decided to leave all my p***s in checked luggage, that way I couldn't wuss out at the airport!

My wife seems alot more comfortable w/ my kilt now, but we are new to this area, and she feels like me doing something odd will limit our ability to make friends, and fit in. :confused: The thing is, she might be right, and what I am struggling with is, on one had I feel like I should put my wife's happiness ahead of my personal preferences (she would be happier with plenty of friends, and the feeling of fitting in); on the other hand, if someone is going to put me down for a personal preference, I don't know if I want them as a friend!!!

Dale, how have you, or other Xmarkers dealt w/ this subject?

LM

[Riverkilt]

Sorcererdale - I agree - You have come up with a classic line. Hope you add that to your signature soon. I know I'm gonna use it when that question comes up, and it always does.

Lux - Can you imagine what happened to husbands back in the 50s and 60s who weren't comfortable with their wives wearing pants when women's pants came into fashion? There are loooooong threads on wives who can't handle kilts on this board...you'd probably find them searching for the word wife.
You are right, you don't want folks as friends who hassle you for wearing kilts.

IT IS MIND BOGGLING THAT IN A FREE COUNTRY SOMEONE WOULD QUESTION HOW SOMEONE ELSE CHOSE TO DRESS....ESPECIALLY IF THEIR GARMENTS HAD A STRONG CULTURAL HISTORY.

Ron

[bubba]

Actually, I've found my kilts facilitate meeting good people. I haven't seen any negative effect on making friends. In fact, being kilted from the start in a new area is a plus, nobody knows you to not wear them and they'll pretty much accept it more easily than people that have known you for years before you started wearing kilts and you'll get less grief about it.

[Alan H]

I echo Bubba's sentiment, here...*nodding*... The unhappy interactions are few and far between. The good ones are everyday.

[switchblade5984]

four days is a great start!

now onto 7 years............hamish