Negative Family or Friends Kilt Comments.........

[Tobinn]

I'm a new kilt wearer and, as I've expressed on this forum in other posts, am grateful for this forum. I have just fallen in love with the kilt and my only regret is waiting until almost 48 to get one! Maybe this is just y mid-life crisis (could worse, a sports car and a 23-year old girlfriend would all be considerably more expensive). All those wasted unkilted years. Well, I won't wallow in regret (much).

Since you've kind of asked for advice I'll offer a thought/opinion (maybe more than one). Please don't ever not wear your kilt merely because of someone else's opinion. If the occasion is appropriate as far as you're concerned then I say go for it.

I've noticed that those who know the least often have the most to say.

Those who are most dis-satisfied with themselves will be the first to put down others.

It says more about your f-i-l than it does you.

I've been kilted (on weekends and after work) for about two months and so far the only negative comments have come from teenagers (snide under the breath comments). I can promise you, the day that I alter one whit of my life to suit a freakin' teenager is the day I can be flung from the top a very tall building.

So far, I've only gotten compliments from grown ups. The day will come when I get a negative comment from a so-called adult. When that day comes I've got a few retorts up my sleeve that I'll share:

1. Nothing - sometimes ignoring an idiot is the best reaction - it really ticks'em off.
2. "Funny, the only other time I got a comment like that was from zit-faced teenage."
3. "Oh, how cute! You actually think I value your opinion."
4. "Sorry, I only care about the opinions of people I respect."

Since this is your f-i-l and you have deal with him until he kicks off maybe only items one or two or maybe three. Number four might be too harsh.

I'd keep the retort to either nothing at all or a quick one-liner. Remember, arguing with a moron is like wrestling with a pig. You'll get muddy and the pig enjoys it.

OR...

I think it's attributed to Mark Twain but never argue with an idiot, he'll bring you down to his level and beat you with experience.

On a side, yet related note, my 12-year old son who delights in calling my kilts "man skirts" nonetheless has no issue with my wearing them and often comes out with me while I'm kilted. My wife mentioned a group of teens at the mall who had a few comments about a guy in a skirt (I didn't hear it) to him. He must have ruminated on that for a few weeks as the next time he and I voyaged to the mall he asked if it would be OK if he laid into anyone who insulted me in my kilt (I told him that was very sweet but that he shouldn't concern himself with it if it happens as I don't particularly care about a teenagers opinion anyway).

Well, that's probably enough of that. Stay Calm and Kilt On, brother.

[AtlantaRandy]

I grew up wearing kilts to events, games and festivals. My father and mother were both proud of our Scottish heritage. I moved away from wearing them in college and as my children occupied all of my time. Luckily my son has embraced it and has gotten me back into the fold. I have very few issues with comments or sideways glances as long as I'm accompanied by my son. He tends to clear the air of negativity ahead of me. He's a college football player. 6'7" 325lbs. bench presses well over 550Lbs, shoulder length red hair and full beard. He's a genetic throw back to the highlander clans and Viking marriages. No one even notices my kilt when he's in the room with one on. LOL

[Baeau]

....He's a college football player. 6'7" 325lbs. bench presses well over 550Lbs, shoulder length red hair and full beard. He's a genetic throw back to the highlander clans and Viking marriages. No one even notices my kilt when he's in the room with one on....LOL

Can't resist off topic, for a moment. The eldest's High School Principal was an ex-pro football player. Kicker, about 5' 7". We had a friend, another ex-pro. They were from the same team, hadn't seen each other for years. I take our friend to the HS, as he wanted to see his teammate. The guy in tow with me, looked like a tank stopper (defensive player). 6 foot something silly, & that was across his shoulders. Walk into the office, ask the Secretary if I could see the Principal. She never looked at me, just the structure behind me. An intercom moment, we walk into the Principal's office. He never looks at me. First words, "Uhhhmmm...so, is there a problem?". Not even a, "Hello". My compadre, looks down, calls him by team nickname, & says, "Ya..obviously, I hit you too hard in practice Forgot your manners, huh?". The whole thing turned into a reunion. Amazing how those with one, can clear the way. Even if they are behind one. In my thread starter, I need a few caber tossers to stop by the in-laws........

[WillowEstate]

Since nobody else has said it, I will - "Those who matter don't mind; those who mind don't matter!"

My better half occasionally refers to "Sav's skirt" in jest but that is far outnumbered by commenting that my ex-military heavyweight MacKenzie Seaforth kilt "Looks really smart" . And she's still surprised how many people will stop to chat.

[thecompaqguy]

My brother in law doesn't understand it, but he's African, even though in Ghana they wear a similar cloth called Kente that is more for special occasions their cultural dress is not worn as much as I wear my kilt. The wife rolls her eyes but will only comment on me wearing the kilt depending on the event. Was going to wear it to a party but she insisted I didn't, as it was more of a jeans and tracksuit (very casual) affair and thought I would be overdressed.

I have had the "nice skirt" comments but just thank them for noticing it which usually shuts them up. What with the rise of LGBT and Fashion Freestyling, I think comments are getting less as no one wants to offend a certain group. Most people know what a Kilt is anyway, but you waste energy answering a fool or entertaining his logic

[Riverkilt]

Some years ago a lesbian coworker who always wore skirts asked me, "How do you take a shyte in that?" Her words, not mine.

I chose not to make an issue of it - though if I'd asked her that I'd been both fired and arrested.

[Baeau]

To the Rabble / Brethren.....we have some success. The f-i-l, as Tobinn referred to him, will never change. That said, eldest daughter is coming around. Wasn't too thrilled with my shoe choice for a damp Ardenwood Tartan Faire. I showed her this photo, cropped at the knees. Followed with the full size image.

My chosen shoe, is very similar to the gentlemen, shown with Prince Charles. I got an, "Oh....uhhmm......something like Prince Charles would look much more acceptable". When I asked if the 'KiltedPops' should step it up a bit, she said, "Yes". Thank Gawd, "She" works for a Cardiology group. I was waiting for the big one.

[jhead7090]

When I wore my kilt for the first time to a family function, Christmas, my oldest sister and her husband both made it plain that they were not supportive of my choice of attire or that I even had a kilt. My youngest sister and her husband were fully supportive and pretty much told my oldest sister to mind her own business. Unfortunately my sister's attitude was transferred to her daughters. My grandkids all loved my kilt. Last year my #1 grandson was married at a kilt optional wedding. He and his step father were kilter as was I and a couple of the other men in attendance. My #2 granddaughter will be getting married at the end of this year and has expressed a strong desire to have a kilted wedding also. My mother who has supported my choices, not always wise, fully supports my choice of attire and I heard later that she told my oldest sister to mind her business and he'll mind his. I only wish my father had lived to see me go from Marine Dress Blues to a kilt. He might have frowned at first but smiles just as quickly.

[shamrock715]

I'm still waiting on my first kilt and I'm sure I'll get more comments as I've already gotten a few from some friends and family about wearing a "skirt" for my upcoming wedding after I told them I was going to wear a kilt. Quite honestly I think some people are just like that.

There is always someone that has to make a comment or a joke with complete disregard and they just need to make sure everyone hears them. I actually think it's more an attention whore mentality than anything when it's in a crowd like that. Some people though just feel the need to make their opinions known even when no one asked for it.

I went through a similar situation when I wore earrings in my early 20s and now go through it with my tattoos or my beard. Whatever the case may be, I think sometimes it's due to ignorance but most of the time I think it's due to them being part of a social construct that men & women have to dress/act/talk a certain way.

I've actually grown fond of it sometimes because as far as I'm concerned, if the only thing someone can concern themselves with is what I'm wearing or how I look, it's a pretty sad statement on them because their life must be pretty f***ing boring. It makes me feel better about myself.

Matt

[Tobinn]

I've actually grown fond of it sometimes because as far as I'm concerned, if the only thing someone can concern themselves with is what I'm wearing or how I look, it's a pretty sad statement on them because their life must be pretty f***ing boring. It makes me feel better about myself.

Matt

I've noticed that folks whose opinions I value the most offer them the least. Conversely, those who know the least typically have the most to say...