Thoughts on the whole "men in skirts" movement.

[Graham]

yes Rocky, with words like that I don't know how anyone can doubt your masculinity, not for a second!!:mrgreen:

I find the best course of action throught the day is to attack, not with rudeness, abuse or swords, I mean to "get in first" with comments.

Example:
If I see someone giving me a strange look I give them a big smile and say what a nice day it is, I get in first, disarm them with my charm and friendliness :mrgreen: . that either puts them at ease about this guy in a kilt - or makes them go away. Both results are good.

I've said it before, but kiltwearing is a lesson in human behaviour, it's facinating! We have to learn how to respond to all kinds of attitudes, comments, compliments and sometimes abuse.
All in all I believe that wearing a kilt makes us a stronger, more confident and better person.

[motorman4life]

The Braveheart Kilt forum has an analysis of this topic.

I found the article! Thanks. http://www.kiltmen.com/freestyle.htm A good read.

[highlander_Daz]

I think if your going to step outside the sphere of what (in most other peoples perception) is "normal" then you have to expect some kind of reaction- its only natural for people to wonder why your wearing the kilt, and whilst you answer to no one as to what you can and cant wear, most people outside of Scotland dont know anything about the history or facts about the kilt.

people may think your a cross dresser or whatever, but why does that matter?, I dont mind what people do; cross dress/gay/bi/whatever, I know im none of these things, and if I was then I would be proud to be, you have to accept what you are, recently a Scots guest house owner was criticied for banning two gay man from sharing a bed in his hotel, he was stuck off by the Scottish tourist board but received much support from "the man in the street" his point was he doesnt mind what goes on but not under his roof, some people would use the word "homophobe" I cant stand this word its bandied about to much and doesnt mean anything, other than someone with an irrational fear of the word "homo"

You have to be comfortable with what you are, if people think your a cross dresser -then the world doesnt stop spinning! let them swirl around in a pool of ignorance, Sadly two men were beaten up by neds last year in Scotland their crime- wearing the kilt!!
be happy with what you are and let people think what they want.

[GMan]

Totally agree with you Daz, one definetly has to be comfortable with who they are.

[Mike n NC]

Personally, I have come to not give a fuzzy rats pittute about what other people think of me in a kilt. I know what I like and what I am and I am confidant in it. I'm sure that some others wear kilts or skirted garments for their own reasons, I just say "more power to'em" and figure their reasons are their own.

I've only had two occasions with others that I considered ugly. One was a 30 something trying to impress his kid, the other a couple of young gentlemen that were just looking for touble, the kilt had nothing to do with it. In both instances these people quickly changed there minds and went away when presented with my enlightened prespective. Paul you asked for this explination in an earlier thread so if you are reading this, here it is.

Unlike Wilter I do not use a cane, I do however carry a walking stick made from a hickory root. It is 40" long and 1 1/2" inches thick at the small tip. It is small enough that I can comfortably carry it anywhere, like a cane, but big enough to ummm, persuade. Not being a vindictive sort, I do hope the young man in Atlanta is out of the cast soon. I do also hope that he learns to choose his friends more carefully in the future since his companion seemed to remember that he needed to be someplace else and left without offering to help him. Being the kind and benevolent person that I am, I did at least drag him out of the way before I backed out of the parking place.

All in all, my experience with other people while kilted is very, very positive. It's not unusual to have people ask to take my picture or have their picture taken with me. Gotta hate this, somewhere there is a picture of me in a group hug with the entire shift of wait staff at a Hooter's. Comments and compliments are frequent and almost always positive.

Mike

[macgreggor]

Not being a vindictive sort, I do hope the young man in Atlanta is out of the cast soon. I do also hope that he learns to choose his friends more carefully in the future since his companion seemed to remember that he needed to be someplace else and left without offering to help him. Being the kind and benevolent person that I am, I did at least drag him out of the way before I backed out of the parking place.

Mike

mike,
it is soooo nice to see that there are still gentlemen who observe the small, civilized little niceties!
macG

[Blu (Ontario)]

Regardless of who we are, everyone has an agenda. This is a very personal thing. My main interests and goals, hot button issues, acceptance threshold, and tolerance envelope are going to be different from everyone else's. Personally, I do not consider MIS/TV significant in my world. While I believe in the freedom of people to engage in whatever extracurricular activities they please, I stick to my own agenda and let the chips fall. So far at least, it's served me well.

People are a naturally herding species and tend to gravitate to others who share common interests. For the past year, I have posted strictly on this board. However, in the past, I have posted on another forum which was, at the time, a colorful blend of kilts and MIS. Everyone got along for the most part. After a significant shift of that board to a more fem - fetish direction, my tolerance envelope was breached and I bailed. I just did not want to be associated with that agenda in any way. Others may feel differently and share interests from both worlds. Ipso facto, there is going to be overlapping agendas within any large group of people. As long as these two worlds are kept asunder, I'm happy. It's just a fact of life in this world that there is going to be some cross contamination from the other, but this must be dealth with on an individual case basis. Kilts will continue to survive and thrive. As for the other... I just don't give a _____!

[KMacT]

I think if your going to step outside the sphere of what (in most other peoples perception) is "normal" then you have to expect some kind of reaction- its only natural for people to wonder why your wearing the kilt, and whilst you answer to no one as to what you can and cant wear, most people outside of Scotland dont know anything about the history or facts about the kilt.

I agree with this, although I would use the word "common" instead of "normal."

...some people would use the word "homophobe" I cant stand this word its bandied about to much and doesnt mean anything, other than someone with an irrational fear of the word "homo"

"Homo" is from the Latin for "same," as distinct from "hetero" which is from the Latin for "different." "Phobia" is from the Greek word for "fear." "Homophobe" is a perfectly good word - fear of sameness.

Kevin

[highlander_Daz]

Agreed, however,I did mean when used in the context that it is normally used i.e. someone who discrimnates/ has a dislike of homosexuality, does anyone remember the washing powder that was called "OMO".

what I meant was that anyone who expresses and opinion that reflects negatively on the gay community is instantly branded a "homophobe".

in case anyone wonders Im not making negative comments about any section of the community be it cross dressers or gay people, Im just saying that I dont like taboos and its good to debate and discuss. I think to ridicule people because they are gay or cross dressers or they like star trek or whatever is as bad as ridiculing someone for wearing the kilt, simply not acceptable, however i thinks its reasonable to discuss the subject. for example Immigration is a big deal at the moment in the UK and anyone who expresses negative views is branded a "racist" or a "nazi" (I hate that word!) - if we debated subjects in a reasonable way without hysterics then I think we would get answers and understandings quicker.

[Graham]

Interesting discussion and a topic worth considering. Some may be happy to shrug it off with "folks is folks" but I think it's good to look a little deeper into the topic.

As Bear said, the kilt relates to feelings of manliness, when I wear a kilt I do feel more masculine. If some feel that it is a feminine thing - that's their problem. I'll not have my views or customs altered or dictated by the distorted views of a few.
Kilts have been around for hundreds of years, their reputation has been firmly established, and while I accept that they must evolve a bit - that will never change the well used adage "Real men wear Kilts".