Advice/support regarding attitudes towards kilt-wearing

[Southern Breeze]

Wearing the right accessories may help.... :grin:

[GMan]

Beery,

WELCOME!

Doing something new and different always brings out "attitudes". Reactions always seem to be negative even though the people saying things may be jealous.

The only thing that I could say is be yourself. It sounds as if you are already doing that. Don't let them get you down, and stay here posting.

The first time I wore a non-traditional kilt I really got grief, yes it sort of hurt, but you know they got used to it, and are loving the fact that I do not limit myself to just tartan. They have to get used to it, as it is also a new experience for them.

Keep us posted as to how things are progressing.

[Lee]

Just keep wearing it, Sir.
I'm coming up to a full year kilted full-time, and I no longer worry about what people think or say. Sure, I did at first, but the pleasure of wearing the kilt out-weighed the nervousness.
Lee

[cessna152towser]

I would add that whether you perceive a comment as positive or negative is very much in your own mind. As an example, two teenage guys walk past you and you overhear one saying to the other "Hey that guy's wearing a black skirt". If you are now to kilt wearing you could easily construe this as a put down intended to draw attention to you and embarrass you. However I would now construe his need to draw his companion's attention as meaning "that's cool, wish you and I had the confidence to wear black kilts."

[Beery]

I would add that whether you perceive a comment as positive or negative is very much in your own mind. As an example, two teenage guys walk past you and you overhear one saying to the other "Hey that guy's wearing a black skirt". If you are now to kilt wearing you could easily construe this as a put down intended to draw attention to you and embarrass you. However I would now construe his need to draw his companion's attention as meaning "that's cool, wish you and I had the confidence to wear black kilts."

Don't get me wrong. I've been taking giggling and anything with a neutral tone to it (i.e. a simple "look at that guy" comment) as positive. What I'm bothered by is the horrified looks. It's hard to misconstrue a look of horror or disdain.

[Blu (Ontario)]

Don't get me wrong. I've been taking giggling and anything with a neutral tone to it (i.e. a simple "look at that guy" comment) as positive. What I'm bothered by is the horrified looks. It's hard to misconstrue a look of horror or disdain.

I know..... and I've had my share of stunned looks too... some of them from specific ethnic groups, some from slack-jawed yokels, others from people who just feel compelled to make exaggerated affectations. Collectively, I've ceased caring about all of them. I refuse to allow their ignorance to influence how I live my life. Life is way too short!

[Mr. Kilt]

I know..... and I've had my share of stunned looks too... some of them from specific ethnic groups, some from slack-jawed yokels, others from people who just feel compelled to make exaggerated affectations. Collectively, I've ceased caring about all of them. I refuse to allow their ignorance to influence how I live my life. Life is way too short!

I have to agree with Blu here. I've had alot of "second looks", but I can't recall ever seeing anyone outright stare at me. Then again, I don't pay much attention to what's going on around me when I'm out in public, at least in regard to what people are doing/thinking about me. I am very good at ignoring things. LOL

[Manu]

All those reactions you get Beery are nothing but people's insecurities coming out to the surface. If you reply with more insecuritiy, then we are not making any progress. Take the advice you read here and try again with a artan kilt, or simply radiate confidence as you walk, but dont let the "man" bring you down!!!!!

[NewKilt]

Beery,

The bottom line really comes down to what you are willing to tolerate in order to wear your kilt and feel good about wearing it. The suggestions about giving a tartan kilt a shot for a time is a good one. The uninformed think that all kilts are tartans. You can mix it up by bringing your Utilikilt back into play.

You have to put them through the old "stimulus/response" training until they finally figure out that the Utilikilt is a kilt. Then it's a matter of whether or not you get negative reactions because you are wearing a kilt.

All of us who choose to wear the kilt in public pull people out of their comfort zone of what they perceive as normal. Some folks are glad for the change and compliment you, others say nothing, and a few might make negative comments because they feel compelled to defend their perception. It's all part of the kilt wearing gig.

Darrell

[Iolaus]

... horror or disdain.

Horror... Good, you've scared them.

Disdain... Grin at them and laugh at their discomfort - you've insulted their "delicate sensibilities."

Either way, you've shaken up their world view and twisted their minds a little; it's all good.