Why Do Some Take Such Offense...

[Azrobert]

Strange, my son and I proudly wear our kilts and have not had anyone say anything derogatory or insulting to either one of us.
I think it is because people are accepting and respectful, and nothing to do with we are both over 6ft , weigh a combined 500 lbs and carry knives in our socks. )

[Doc Canary]

There have been lots of discussion of the general public being "ignorant" of the correct definition of what a kilt is. I think we all agree that Webster's Dictionary is considered at least one of the more definitive sources of English definitions.
Webster's defines the word kilt as follows:
A knee-length skirt with deep pleats, usually of a tartan wool, worn as part of the dress for men in the Scottish Highlands.
In my humble opinion, this entire "kilt/skirt" controversy is rootednin masculine insecurities. It is well within the realm of imagination and reason to see a kilt as a specific variation of a skirt. One would hope we all would attempt to see and interact with others in the world from a non myopic monolithic point of view. I am sure we all are not as aware of other forms of dress/ coustom/and culture as we probably should be, so it stands to reason we should be as forgiving of the mistakes of others as we would hope they wold be of us.
In closing : A KILT IS A SPECIFIC KIND OF A SKIRT. If you choose to wear a kilt in public, be prepared for comments ranging from glowing complements to cracks about you wearing a skirt. The vast majority of the public will see your choice of dress as a novelty no matter if your garment is pin striped or an ancient tartan hand made of the finnest wool.Fact of life: it is unrealistic and unwise to expect others to be aware/considerate/or care about your personal ancestry (real or perceived ), your right to dress as you please, or your insecurities about your masculinity. If you need some sort of validation for wearing a kilt, let that validation come from YOU. In the long run, it is the only validation that really matters.

[Newfoundlander]

I think I agree with a lot of folk on here that the main issue is intent...

A point was made above that a kilt is only a specific type of skirt, and sensu stricto this is true. But it is also true that it's a garment that has a specific cultural connection that many hold dear (I for one). So really, the type of garment it is almost irrelevant, it's the connection that the garment has to something that you hold personally valuable that is the issue, in my opinion. If the intent is to insult that aspect of the kilt-wearer, than it is fair to take offense it I think.

If someone makes a comment "Nice skirt there laddie" with a sly grin and a twinkle in there eye, than it's obvious that they're just playing around and it's no big deal. I find those instances are almost always followed by another more seriously stated "that looks really sharp" or something like that...

If on the other hand it is clearly meant in an offensive and attacking way, than of course, that's different. Those people would probably attack a hockey jersey if it wasn't they're team too.

I find that if someone insists on being difficult like that. I simply ignore them, as it's not worth my time =)

[Doc Canary]

In my humble opinion, your argument is specious on two major counts.
For what ever reason, many seem unwilling to accept that by definition a kilt is a skirt, so if someone remarks, "Nice Skirt.", they are actual and technically correct in their acessment (personal taste not counting), no matter your interpretation of the comment. If one choosse to ignore the actual definition for what ever reason, their choice
Once again, the subject of offense towards heritage is brought up. I am pretty sure unless you are acctually in Scottland/Ireland or a closely neighboring country, actively informing those around you verbally, or with a Tshirt, or behaving in the most stereotypical manner, those around you most likely do not know (or care) about your heritage. No offense intended, but in today 's hyper cross-pollinated cultures, it is asinine to assume any one wearing a kilt an acoutraments is Scottish or Irish unless ther wearer is in the geographic vicinity of said countries, and probably not even then. I have seen many comments on this forum that it seem that people who are not geographically indigenous to the kilt's original homeland have a greater predilection toward wearing the garment than the natives. Everyone
at the pub, the Highland Festival, and wearing a kilt is doing so for reasons that may include, but not exclusive to issues of heritage. Further more, if heritage is such a strong and important reason to own and wear a kilt, why are all the fine sponsors who have advertisments on this sight not requiring "proof of heritage" prior to selling a product? I would be willing to bet they are more than willing to sell me a kilt in any tartan I choose, no questions asked as long as my credit card clears. That is no slap at these good merchants (several of whom I have patronized.) but an indication that the desire to wear kilts , as and of many other elements of cultures as food and music to articles of clothing have crossed over and become elements of world culture as a whole. That is a good thing in my opinion.
I make these points, not to disrespect anyone's culture or heritage. In fact I would not wear certain tartans out of respect for their culture. I would hope we can come to the realization that the world we live in is and continues to become more multicultural and not monolithic in it's nature and function. Our diversity is our strength. The good things, like kilts, flourish, are shared, and bring us closer together. Let's live by the founding of this forum and allow the kilt in all it's iterations and style of being worn from traditional to steam punk and beyond be a force of brotherhood instead of division.
Who would think a skirt (Yeah, I said it!) could do that.

[Newfoundlander]

In my humble opinion, your argument is specious on two major counts.
The good things, like kilts, flourish, are shared, and bring us closer together. Let's live by the founding of this forum and allow the kilt in all it's iterations and style of being worn from traditional to steam punk and beyond be a force of brotherhood instead of division.

Here, here!

[AN COIGREACH ALBANNACH]

Doc Canary,first let me say that I took the advise at the bottom of your page and looked at your photos,You really have a talent there,some brilliant pics.

As to your post,I do appreciate when someone is prepared to thoughrily explain his point of view,so thank you.

I would point out,however,that you have fogotten in your last post to make clear that the definitions by which you see the Scottish kilt and other similar garments are in fact your own view points.They most definately are not shared by all!

[Teufel Hunden]

Honestly, it's not the word skirt that offends me, it's the lack of common courtesy that does. Generally speaking, when people ask me about the skirt I'm wearing, it's coming from a person meaning to offend me slightly, and not someone genuinely curious.

It's the same sort of attitude when someone comes up to me while I'm wearing my Marine Corps dress blues (arguably one of the most recognizable uniforms in the world), and asking me how long I've been "In the Army." When I correct them and say Marine Corps, they reply, "Whatever... same thing." They don't really want to know how long I've been in, they knew I was a Marine, they know the Army isn't "the same thing," they just wanted to hear their head rattle for a little bit, and reveal their decision to travel through life as a jackass and not a decent person.

While my uniform being insulted usually puts someone only one or two missteps away from being sent home with a broken jaw, someone poking at my kilt like that is seen as a minor inconvenience. Sure they're probably trying to subtly insult me, but I try not to feed the trolls too much.

[NeightRG]

They knew I was a Marine, they know the Army isn't "the same thing," they just wanted to hear their head rattle for a little bit, and reveal their decision to travel through life as a jackass and not a decent person.

That just doesn't seem fair. Granted, it's not fair to say they're the "same thing" but mistaking a uniform from one branch for another is easier than you'd think.
Serving in the military (thank you for that, by the way) you're well studied on the matter. Just as almost anyone on the forum could tell a Utilikilt from an Alt. Kilt, plenty of people who appreciate kilts but haven't really stopped to look could never tell the difference between the two - plenty of people who appreciate the military have never noted the difference between branch uniforms.

[Nick the DSM]

There's a big difference between the Army Dress and the Marine Dress, colour is the main one.

[Teufel Hunden]

That just doesn't seem fair. Granted, it's not fair to say they're the "same thing" but mistaking a uniform from one branch for another is easier than you'd think.
Serving in the military (thank you for that, by the way) you're well studied on the matter. Just as almost anyone on the forum could tell a Utilikilt from an Alt. Kilt, plenty of people who appreciate kilts but haven't really stopped to look could never tell the difference between the two - plenty of people who appreciate the military have never noted the difference between branch uniforms.

If we were talking about service uniforms, like these:



I'd agree with you. Each branch has many different uniforms, some of which are rarely seen in most parts of the country. That uniform there is the Marine Service "C" uniform, and I wore it all of a handful of times in my entire career. Unless I was in a Marine town like San Diego or Twentynine Palms, I'd expect almost no one, except prior Marines, to distinguish my branch of service from that uniform alone.

However, any American who doesn't recognize these men as US Marines is one who either grew up in a deep dark cave in the mountains, OR, who took serious steps to remain ignorant of the world around them.




On that same token of uniform recognition, I'd guarantee no one ever asks this gent how long he's been in the Air Force:




But, the people who legitimately don't know these things (or the people who don't know what a kilt is), aren't generally the ones who cause trouble for others. People who will ask scathing questions about your skirt have probably heard the word kilt before, they just lack that common decency. Much like the person in my above scenario, if they really cared about my answers, they wouldn't have brushed them off in a disrespectful way, and it's the disrespect that annoys me not the lack of knowledge.