Socially acceptable in the Inland Northwest?

[ali8780]

Good luck to you!

including that bastion of open-mindedness, progressive thought and advanced education: WalMart.

Phogfan--you made me laugh out loud!

[J.B. Simpson]

I live near Spokane (Harrington) and wear my kilt as often as possible. I am also a volunteer FF/EMT, and have never had an issue with anyone. Wear your kilt and have fun.

[NeoDreams]

Living not that far from you I can say there are places in the GNW I would have uneasiness about being Kilted but there are many more people of Scots and Irish blood around these parts than we think at times. Many of these folks should be in the know and if not SHAME on them for being so ignorant! Educate them as needed.

[sdc]

Absolutely, jump in with both feet, and if anyone asks you why you're wearing a kilt, tell them "It's like wearing shorts with air conditioning"; I've been through Spokane before, and in the summer, it was hot enough that I would've WANTED a kilt, if I'd known then what I know now.

[robthehiker]

Wear what you like and feel comfortable in! If that happens to be the kilt then great, if not that's okay too. Be your own person, do not care what others think! If you walk tall and proudly in your kilt, I find that others will perceive you as such as well. When you wear the kilt you have to walk into a situation as though you own the place. It works wonders! Happy kilting!

What he said.

[Kilted_John]

Don't think there really is any area here in WA state where it's not safe to kilt. Maybe not in the hilltop neighborhood of Tacoma, but the rest of the state should be fine.

-J

[J.B. Simpson]

I managed to survive walking along with the School Band while wearing my US Navy kilt. It was a fun night for everyone.

[Kiltedfirepiper]

I really appreciate the replies so far. This helps temper the decision making process with regard to honing my anti-kilt radar...

Now for the next part of the question...

I work as a firefighter in Spokane, and am concerned as to how I go about "breaking the ice" with regards to wearing the kilt around a typically macho man bunch of guys. We have several pipers on the job, who wear kilts for performances, and I am in the local pipe band, which is known to a lot of my co-workers. Again, here is where my wife is concerned about repercussions across the job, because firefighters gossip more than a bunch of people around the water cooler...they aren't happy unless they are griping and gossiping...so she worries for me and my reputation on the job, whereas I am of the opinion that practicing my pipes in the firehouse is a pretty good icebreaker all on its own.

Are we both too far out on opposite ends of the spectrum on this?

Chuck

theres gonna be a bit of everything at the station...( mind you I've been OTJ for 14 years....just 1 year at my present Dept.)
I have guys wanting to learn pipes, and buy kilts, and I have guys that ......shall we say wonder if my marriage is a "front" for my actual lifestyle. and honestly I dont give a rats AZZ what they think!
I still contend that one of the reasons i was hired is because I play pipes, and the chief wants a piper on the honor guard!

the ones who are most adamant about questioning my sexuality I turn it on them. usually with something like.
" you know when you automaticly jump to someone being gay because they dont like the same things as you, or wear something different than you would wear...it usually means you're not secure enough in your masculinity, and really need to look at wether or not you're are being overly "macho" to cover up inadicadicy(sp...what do ya expect? it's 1200Am?)in yourself.."

so far thats shut two of em up.

do what ya like...

KFP