The Question!

[davedove]

You could have just told him that it is personal choice, just like with any other article of clothing a person might wear. After all, there is no requirement to wear underwear with jeans, or any other pants. Then, if he did indeed ask the question, you could fall back on any of the many answers from here on the board.

[GMan]

Pretty much what Dave stated, I would have replied, that one does not have to wear underwear anytime as that is a presonal preference. With your wife saying what she did probably threw him for a loop.

Sometimes keeping them guessing, by not saying anything, is one great way to respond.

[Alan H]

Yeah.. What Dave said. I've done that myself, more than once.

[flyv65]

I would have told him "yes, it's true: you're not required by law to wear underwear with a kilt. The decision is left entirely up to the wearer". My wife, on the other hand, probably would have said that "in order to wear underwear with his kilt, he would first have to *buy* underwear". My wife's a sport, she is. :-D

Bryan...feeling sporty...

[Archangel]

In that setting, my response has been a medium loud, so others can hear, but with polite shock, "I would never ask you that question?". It's never gone further, don't really have a script for that.

[chasem]

I could see him getting at the question personally, but it seems he was just curious as to what the general rule was (granted we all know there isn't one here.)

As others stated, I would probably go with "it's personal preference" or something of that sort. Answer the question, but not indicate your preference.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Thanks all!

In reviewing what happened, I think that you are correct that a simple explanation that it was preference probably would have sufficed and my own personal preference may not have come up. Probably my own trepidation was more over going into the whole concept with my mother at the table. She had no problems with the kilt per se, in fact I was kilted the whole weekend while she was here, but not sure about her reaction to the idea of regimental. I could certainly respond to her that she had never asked what, or if, I was wearing under my pants, that doesn't seem like the honest response to family. I will have to think about it more. Realistically, I should be more comfortable talking with my family about everything related to the wearing of the kilt. Maybe this was just too soon in my kilt wearing experience for me to handle it with my mother. I will also have to think through if my trepidation would have been less or non-existent with other relatives, male or female, or being out with friends.

Interesting thing this kilt wearing, makes you think about and reflect on many things, both before donning it in public, and also afterward!

RJI

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

I would have told him "yes, it's true: you're not required by law to wear underwear with a kilt. The decision is left entirely up to the wearer". My wife, on the other hand, probably would have said that "in order to wear underwear with his kilt, he would first have to *buy* underwear"...

Amazing! Bryan were you there? What is truly unbelievable is that his girlfriend/wife/SO said something almost exactly the same after he asked the question! She said something about it not mattering to him because he didn't own any underwear anyway!

I'l have to coach my wife on that answer next time. She would have no problems with that answer and would enjoy the jabe at me in public.

RJI

[Jewddha]

To adults, a pleasant "there is no right or wrong way..." speech seems to do it, and usually works for most youth also, but when someone ahs the lack of tact to ask in the middle of class (male usually, and in accompaniement with various jabs at myself), I find that an "A lady never asks, and a gentleman never tells" does the trick just fine ;)

[motorman4life]

My usual response is, "Wearing a kilt is really about freedom. You are free to wear whatever you like under it.. or nothing, if you wish." If I don't want to get into what I am wearing (or not wearing) under my kilt, I add, "It's really nobody else's business what you wear under your clothes anyhow, it is a personal choice."

In truth, except for a few rare circumstances, I don't know why anyone would wear underwear under their kilt, as it seems to defeat the purpose. But, I have worn loose boxers or lycra shorts on occasion, like when I was going to be around small children or riding my motorcycle.

I respect everyone's personal choices and privacy. I can't imagine asking someone what they have on under their kilt, dress, skirt or pants or blouse, but people don't seem to have any inhibitions about asking you when you are in a kilt. It is like asking someone what their favorite sexual position is. In the right setting, it may be appropriate. But rarely.

I try not to get upset, regardless of how rude they may be in asking, but it is hard not to get perturbed when I answer their question with the same question and they get upset at me for prying!