Kilts and Self-Identity

**Ayin McFye** · 17th May 07, 01:55 PM

I think you pose a good question but generally speaking when someone says "Who are you?" , I either respond with "Why do you want to know?" or I'll tell them my name. I don't feel obligated to define myself to any stranger in a bar or on the street that has the urge to ask me who I am. A friend should know me for who I am already and wouldn't ask either. If the question seems to be prompted because i'm wearing a kilt, i will normally not even acknowledge the kilt that i'm wearing until they say "No, I meant, why are you wearing a kilt?" And that question is a lot more specific and I'm always happy to answer it. Although depending on the person's tone, will depend on my answer.

Asking "Who are you" is more of a "What's your name" question. If it's meant to be "What defines who you are?" type of question, then wow, that's a pretty deep question for a stranger to be asking me.

**Alan H** · 17th May 07, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by Ayin McFye

Asking "Who are you" is more of a "What's your name" question. If it's meant to be "What defines who you are?" type of question, then wow, that's a pretty deep question for a stranger to be asking me.

Yes, it would be rather odd for a complete stranger to ask such a question, and even if they did, then I would also answer with just my name. If challenged at work...say when I entered the Clinical areas of the Hospital, then they get my name and a look at my ID card.

However, that sort of wasn't what I was getting at in this post, but...no worries.

**Ayin McFye** · 17th May 07, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by Alan H

Yes, it would be rather odd for a complete stranger to ask such a question, and even if they did, then I would also answer with just my name. If challenged at work...say when I entered the Clinical areas of the Hospital, then they get my name and a look at my ID card.

However, that sort of wasn't what I was getting at in this post, but...no worries.

Sorry, did you truly want me to answer the question on "Who am I?" I'd be more than happy to, but I wasn't sure if you wanted an opinion on the question or for everyone to actually answer it.

**Alan H** · 17th May 07, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by Ayin McFye

Sorry, did you truly want me to answer the question on "Who am I?" I'd be more than happy to, but I wasn't sure if you wanted an opinion on the question or for everyone to actually answer it.

No worries! I was just curious how much, or in what way kilts, kiltwearing and kiltmaking featured in peoples assesment of "who they are"...their personal identity.

With me, the answer is "not much". "Kilts" etc are a fun thing that I do that I enjoy, but they're not part of what, in my head "defines me" to myself.

**Ayin McFye** · 18th May 07, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by Alan H

No worries! I was just curious how much, or in what way kilts, kiltwearing and kiltmaking featured in peoples assesment of "who they are"...their personal identity.

With me, the answer is "not much". "Kilts" etc are a fun thing that I do that I enjoy, but they're not part of what, in my head "defines me" to myself.

I am going to have to agree with you on this. I love wearing kilts, and I usually wear my kilt about once or twice a week. But i wouldn't go as far as to say it helps define who i am. It is definitely a part of me and my life and I truly do embrace my celtic heritage, but "defining" as a part of me is just a little to strong of a word.

I am foremost a Father. My son definitely helps define who i am. I am a deep thinking over analytical individual. I never grew out of the "why" phase when I was 3. I am a member of the SCA, but only a small portion of that life influences who I am on a day to day basis.

As for the rest of me I'm still trying to figure that out. My wife left me a year and a half ago with no notice whatsoever. The life that I had created with her and my son, was completely destroyed. I'm back on my feet now, but I'm still in the process of defining who I am and what I want out of life.

Thank you for the good question Alan. Cheers!

**RockyR** · 18th May 07, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by Ayin McFye

I It is definitely a part of me and my life and I truly do embrace my celtic heritage, but "defining" as a part of me is just a little to strong of a word.

ANOTHER great line...

I agree that kilts (or any article of clothing) shouldn't "define you". Kilts will have a MUCH bigger impact on your "social situations" than PANTS ever would, so they do CONTRIBUTE to who you are and what you experience in life (or DON'T experience), but they should not DEFINE you.

They may SHAPE you and your social experiences, but should not be the definition.