After living in an arguably backward part of Texas, and only getting the occasional stray comment, I was surprised that it was tougher when I moved to the D.C. area in May. But after a few rough weeks, either my skin is thicker or I've gone a bit deaf because it seems like it's much smoother sailing now and most of the comments that I do hear make me smile.

I have to say the funniest was when I got the "Hey, f@gg0t!," cat call from a guy in the Metro, but his buddy grabbed the fellow hard by the arm and said, "Hey, no man, he Irish, he Irish." LOL. I just kept walking, but oh what a smile I was wearing. I should add that I do get a LOT of compliments too. Gents asking where I bought my kilts, ladies telling their gent HE should wear one, and of course "the question" all in good humor. The balance is by far on the happier side of the scale.

Last month a fellow kiltie and I were at a mall when a kilted teenage boy runs up to us to say hello. Evidently he took a fare amount of goodnatured flack from his friends about his kilt, but he got some real mileage and validation from his friends seeing other guys kilted and just out at the mall. That felt good. We are rebreaking ground with the kilt thing. Even when it's rough, we do make it easier for the next bloke.

Hang in there. Folks will get used to "the kilted guy"... and if it's like my experience, you'll either encourage a fence sitter or two in the area to take the kilted plunge or you'll run into a crowd of kilties one day and go, "dang, we're everywhere!"

Hang tough!