Quite coincidentally, today a neighbour lady that I know fairly well asked me what my Scottish connections were. I was opening the drive gates whilst wearing a Black Watch kilt. I explained that the links were very tenuous and were waaaay back. I was about to explain that I really wear a kilt for comfort, when the postman arrived with a cheery cry of "Where's yer bagpipes then?" (I wonder if he thought of that all by himself ;) ). I retorted with "Put those 'orrible legs away" (He was in shorts), and alas missed further chat with my neighbour. There will be other opportunities tho' as she and others in the street are well used to seeing me in various of my kilts. I get no hassle here, just the odd risible comment.

And yes Ham we English are reserved. I have to say that now that I am much older the reserve is breaking down, much to my wife's disgust. I'm finding it great fun to talk to strangers. It just needs and 'primer' to start the dialogue, and what better way than by wearing a plaid skirt, ooops sorry KILT!!
Seriously tho', the mental processes that I went thru when I became a kiltee, I believe gave me more confidence in myself and made me 'walk tall' and be less anxious about encounters with strangers.

Slainte!