So it's not a skirt (or maybe it is). And the point is...?

[KiltedPilot]

Some interesting thoughts gentlemen.

Personally I rarely find ambiguity in a 'nice skirt' remark. I almost always know if it is a genuine compliment, playful jest, a brainless drunken off-the-cuff remark, or a deliberate insult. I then know how to deal with it.

There is just too much information in the intonation, facial expression, and body language, to leave much room for ambiguity.

I do find a gender difference. Women don't have a hangup with the word 'skirt', and frequently enthuse over the idea of 'men in skirts' when they see my kilt. Men have a BIG hangup about the word 'skirt'. I don't recall ANY guy complimenting me on my 'skirt', but will compliment my 'kilt'.

But if a guy, or a girl, with a big warm smile, and a thumbs up, says 'nice skirt' to me -- I'll accept the compliment as graciously as it was given.

KP.

[cloves]

even in the last few months become more open minded???
I don't know what it is lately, but I find the posting (when it comes to these 'heavier' subjects anyway) to be more more apprecitative and respectful of each other's views and opinions. I for one really like the new direction the board seems to be moving in. hrmmm...maybe I'm becoming less defensive?

Anyway, getting back to what Rex was saying in the first place...
For those of you who don't know, I'm female, and by times even I take offense when somebody says to me "nice skirt" with a sarcastic tone. I can tell when it's an insult as opposed to a compliment.
The thing is, maybe I dislike it when somebody calls it a skirt because it does feminize me, and i've never been a girly girl. It's not being a girl that bothers me so much ( I am!) it's the fact that I don't want to be percieved as something not powerful. I think internally we must asscoiate female with weak perhaps. That's something I've got to work on. Letting go of preconcieved notions about gender and what it means to me male or female.

I'm starting to give myself a headache...been thinking too much. argh

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

...even in the last few months become more open minded???
I don't know what it is lately, but I find the posting (when it comes to these 'heavier' subjects anyway) to be more more apprecitative and respectful of each other's views and opinions. I for one really like the new direction the board seems to be moving in. hrmmm...maybe I'm becoming less defensive?...

Cloves, I think that I would have to agree. There have been some topics recently that I was sure would be shut down almost immediately, but remained civil and on-topic. Even the recent "No Sgian Dubh's" thread lasted far longer than I would have expected, because even though it skirted (actually directly involved) politics from the beginning, everyone was open, civil, and willing to hear others opinions.