After some consideration of your description of the response you were given, I would agree that a traditional tartan kilt may have made the introduction ‘smoother’ for you and your bothers family. You may have just taken them out of their comfort zone.

I’m lucky that none of my family thinks it’s odd, it’s part of our heritage. And admittedly, they are not surprised by anything I do anymore! Also, I have a wonderful (Hispanic) girlfriend who is into all things ‘Celtic’.

Just hang in there dude, wear what you wear, be an emissary of kilt knowledge, and they’ll either get it or get over it.