I was asked the question differently.

[Father Bill]

Well . . . do folks not ask simply because it has been bandied about for so long that we're all "regimental" and people are amazed and even delighted to think that it may be so? In honest and amazed disbelief, they may stutter out the question because they've finally found someone whom they might trust enough to confide their fascination in this mystery - a mystery which we have helped to create and foster.


Why not just smile quietly and enjoy the mystery and their amazed fascination . . . with us!

[piperdbh]

Methinks the good Father has hit on something: people trust a man in a kilt.

Sort of related, but not really:
A few years ago at Grandfather Mountain, a young girl told a sheriff's deputy that a man with a furry sporran had touched her or spoken to her (I can't remember which) inappropriately. The deputy looked around and saw a man with a full-mask muskrat sporran, and questioned him. The girl looked at the man and said that he wasn't the right man. Instead of getting angry for being questioned, the man with the muskrat joined in the search for the perpetrator. I don't know what the outcome of the search was, but it shows that we kilties are good people. (most of the time)

[tpa]

A few years ago at Grandfather Mountain, a young girl told a sheriff's deputy that a man with a furry sporran had touched her or spoken to her (I can't remember which) inappropriately.

It's all very well to be concerned about that sort of behaviour with kids, but the boot can also be on the other foot.

At the Chatsworth Country Fair, whilst walking round the highland dancing area a young lad approached me and asked if I was a real Scotsman, I replied that yes, I was from Scotland. Obviously thinking I had misunderstood what he was asking, he then blatantly said: "Do you wear any underpants?"

I don't think it is a good idea to set a bad example to kids, even rude ones, so I just said "Why on earth would that be of any interest to you?" I don't know if he got the implication or not but just ran off to his mate laughing. Presumably it was a dare. I just wish that their interest in the kilt extended to more than what is or is not under it.

Whilst I appreciate the benefits of curiosity in this area, there is perhaps the risk of lowering its value as a garment in the eyes of non-kilt wearers if too much emphasis is placed on it.

Just to even the score the only other question I got that day was from a lady who came up and asked what tartan I was wearing. I told her and she just said thank you and left. I feel a little guilty about that as I was taking photos at the time and did not do anything to encourage any further discussion and normally when I'm asked that I like to find out why they want to know. It often turns out that they are either Scottish or of Scottish descent or their partner is and so gives me the opportunity to promote wearing a kilt.

[Bill aka Mole]

Well . . . do folks not ask simply because it has been bandied about for so long that we're all "regimental" and people are amazed and even delighted to think that it may be so? In honest and amazed disbelief, they may stutter out the question because they've finally found someone whom they might trust enough to confide their fascination in this mystery - a mystery which we have helped to create and foster.


Why not just smile quietly and enjoy the mystery and their amazed fascination . . . with us!

Just like the Magician's creed: The trick remains a secret because the Magician won't tell.

[Father Bill]

Just like the Magician's creed: The trick remains a secret because the Magician won't tell.

Bingo!

[Newfoundlander]

In truth, I've only ever ben asked once "is anything worn under there?" to which I replied "no, it all works just fine." That brought out a serious blush from the young lass indeed...

I've often wondered of shooting the question back "would you care to look?" But i'm afraid that might backfire terribly one day...

I think best keep it a secret is safest, hey lads? =) I is fascinating though none the less...

[DrCelt]

A man walked up to the groom at a Scottish wedding, pointed at his kilt, and asked, "what's the tartan?". The groom replied "Och, she'll be wearing a white dress..."

I love Scottish humour, which I think is very helpful when you get questions, serious or not.

[Woodsman]

I had a lass ask me, insisting before I could answer that I was wearing a kilt if I had no underwear and a skirt if I did.

[Mark_in_Fargo]

if it's a male asking me I ask back "that's an unusual fetish isn't it, worrying about another man's underwear?" (no good comebacks to that yet)