ok let me just say this......when I went to the testing ....I was one of about 12 guys that wore ( in my thoughts as a prospecitve candidate) acceptable clothes
I wore kahkis and a checked button shirt and the rest( of the 11 wore business slacks and button up ( white w/ a tie ) shirts or something to that effect) the rest of 66 candidates wore blue jeans and t-shirts. so I think im already ahead of the curve as far as first impressions..... I dont think the homophobia even comes into play here...... most of the firefighters I know around here ( which is alot since I started my career here) look fondly to the fact I play the pipes and am not afraid to wear the kilt ....hell one of the captains I work under for the reserve depts. his last name is O'Connor and he wears a kilt too......I wore my kilt to pick up my paycheck and he gave me a compliment about my "kit" as he called it........but thats THIS dept. ...... not the one I was testing for ......maybe I should have worn my kilt to the written test so they could see me and tell the oral board folks what to expect( again IF I make it that far)
Of course I would wear it properly ......white button up shirt and a tie( bow or windsor would be the question here ) black belt ,black rabbit fur sporran, gillies and off white hose..... no cover since its indoors....
I understand the conformity aspect...they want you to "mesh " with the rest of the crew
But .....I know that the "area" ( read NOT Tucson Fire) fire Depts. dont have an honor guard and might look favorably upon someone who ....plays the pipes ...wears a kilt ..... and does both with dignity and authority ....... so I am at a cross roads so to speak........ if i make it to the oral boards then I am in the top 16 (since they are only taking 8 ) ....do I take the chance and wear my kilts or do I ( in my mind ) look like the rest of the nozzle heads and wear a suit? it could help keep my responses to the questions ( hopefully right ) fresh in their minds and me in the fore front...... or sour them to some one that would be an outsider......... not that I would be ....but the whole conformity thing ......
I have some time to "mull it over" so .........
thanks for the responses so far .. it has given me things to concider.....
Scott........ I yam who I yam , but should I show who I yam
Last edited by Kiltedfirepiper; 15th July 06 at 03:42 AM.
Irish diplomacy: is telling a man to go to he)) in such a way that he looks forward to the trip!
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