Bummer of a night at session

**artroland** · 25th April 13, 08:30 PM

It's a sad day when one can go to session at the pub, kilted, and have people giving you really weird, and downright disdainful stares. But on the other hand, I talked the other musicians into playing some Pogues, so it's all good.

**TheOfficialBren** · 25th April 13, 09:57 PM

That sucks, mate.

Times like that try my patience. I will share an annecdote that I hope will cheer you up.

Once, I went into a convenience store kilted. The store is attached to a sandwich shop. At a table was a group of young Latin kids. Lots of giggles and stares from them...in a rude way. I shrugged it off. It happens, even moreso among the ignorant clones that the schools are churning out these days. Gawd I sound old!

Keep your chin up, mate. I'll bet you a pint that you looked great and intimidated the others.

A man in a kilt is a man-and-a-half!

**Richrail** · 25th April 13, 10:30 PM

So Reno has been very kilt friendly, I been to all types of places and only compliments so far. I was shopping at an Outlet store today and seems all the female staff we're worried if I was finding everything I wanted.

That said there is hope that things will get better.

**Old Hippie** · 30th April 13, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by TheOfficialBren

At a table was a group of young Latin kids. Lots of giggles and stares from them...in a rude way. I shrugged it off.

Probably 25 years ago now a good friend of mine was talked into joining a large organization's "Bowling Tournament." Each "team" was allowed to bring a cheering section for additional points. I said, "Hell, ya might as well have a real cheerleader" and so we bought some red fabric and got out her sewing machine and hooked up the ruffler attachment. Those things are great, by the way. In about an hour we had a nice pleated red skirt in my size. I put on a sweatshirt and a pair of running shorts under the skirt, borrowed a pair of pom-poms from another friend's young daughter who was an actual cheerleader -- we had a great time and people thought it was a great idea.

At the end of the "tournament" the alley started filling up with the usual clientele and I went to the washroom to change back into my jeans to go home. Walked into a room with about six young Latino men -- all of whom were totally freaked out by the bearded guy with long hair wearing a skirt.

They left so fast they caused a sonic boom. The manager came to see what all the yelling was about and just said, "Oh, him. It's OK." and that was that.

I had some sympathy for their cultural sensitivities. I am perfectly comfortable pushing the boundaries of the acceptable, but only in situations where everyone understands that's what's going to happen. Pushing people's buttons without their consent is not my agenda.

**artroland** · 30th April 13, 12:50 PM

LOL! THAT visual was worth the price of admission, right there. ;)

**artroland** · 1st May 13, 06:17 PM

I know what I can do! I can bring one of these guys to the next session that we have there. They'll never even notice the kilt.

**Pleater** · 26th April 13, 06:43 AM

Could you have possibly mis read the stares - it couldn't have been that they were suddenly realising how under dressed they were?

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**artroland** · 26th April 13, 07:30 AM

Well, to be honest, this particular pub moved from their previous locale, to a new locale, and I don't think these folks were regulars at the other locale. Although, in America, you simply need to understand that you will see Scots garments in an Irish pub known for playing jigs, reels and the occasional Pogues tune.

And oddly enough, most of the female wait staff was also concerned that my glass was full enough. It's just rather odd to have extremely rude looks. Double-takes? Sure.

Meh, in the end it all comes down to the fact that, while wearing a kilt, some men will inevitably question your sexuality, but on the other hand most women will question whether or not you're single.