Ah, kids....

[GMan]

I agree with you Joe, I almost always get that's cool, I want one too or something like that. The only unusual comment I got from a child was the one I shared, and I feel that she would not have said what she did if her Father was not standing next to her. In my book give me a kid any day!

Hope that you had a nice visit with your parents, and are you through with the weddings?

[Alaskan]

GMan, that comment she gave wasn't really negative, either. A bit odd, yes, but not really negative.

I had a great visit in Alaska... just a little too short. (Well, I guess since I ran out of cash it was just the right length. :P )
The wedding is in two weeks. More on that later.

[Vince]

Maybe it's something in the water around here, but the reaction I have had from children has been a non-reaction. Only one little girl turned to her mother and and ask, "What is that man wearing?" The mother got very flustered told her to hush and don't stare. "That's what people from Scotland wear."

[Hamish]

.................................................. ........................................All I can say is that it gets better with time and age (just look at Hamish!)

I heard that!

[Graham]

.................................................. ........................................All I can say is that it gets better with time and age (just look at Hamish!)

I heard that!

I wondered when you would wake up Mr.Hamish. My comment should, of course, be taken as a compliment (there was a smiley to prove it).
I'm sure you're agree that age brings not only respect (or should do) but less concern about what others say or think - but with the wisdom to know what opinions matter and what don't.

[Blu (Ontario)]

i actually find I'm more self-concious when out and about if my wife isn't with me. It's strange, but riding the F train into Manhattan alone takes a couple of deep breaths sometimes...

It's not strange at all and you're certainly not alone! Wearing a kilt in public outside of an organized event takes nerve. People know that. But we are also assessed by our social situation. In a nutshell, the common perception is...

Kilted Man alone = special occasion / nutcase / non conformist / possibly gay /ethnic etc.

Kilted Man with another kilted man = special occasion / probably gay / ethnic.

Kilted Man with a Woman = special occasion / must be hetero / non conformist but macho / ethnic. etc

Subconsciously, this is how we size up other people but also how we size up ourselves. Our appearance / situation has a major influence on our level of confidence or lack thereof and affects how we project ourselves. Basic human instinct at work.

Have I missed anything?

[Graham]

Blu, you are amazing with the ability to analyse a situation and explain it so well. You're a natural teacher.

It is interesting to try to figure out how one is perceived by others by what we wear.

I guess I would be seen in the "special occasion / nutcase" catergory. I'm known well enough not to be called "gay" (except the happy version), and I don't look ethnic.

The "special occasion" would only be seen if there was some event on, so that leaves me most of the year in the "nutcase" pidgeonhole!

[Freelander Sporrano]

This last Friday evening I went to see my mate play in his "Thin Lizzy"tribute band "Gin Lizzy" in town.To get to and from the pub he was playing I had to run the gauntlet of the disco ques.On my own I felt very exposed.There were just looks.Luckly.

Like Graham and Jazz. I do like to have someone with me.This time I had no choice. I can empathise with the deep breath comment.

I've written before about wearing my kilt to the school where my children attend.Lucky for me they all think it's cool.Many have been to Scotland with their parents.Some do however stare.I do have a little help from the fact that a lot of people here in Norway use National dress For important functions (Weddings and such) So they are a little facinated by my kilt.

Just my pennies worth...David

[Rigged]

About 3 years ago I was at the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) to renew my car's registration.

A woman was seated with her daughter of maybe 9-years-old. I was standing in line in front of them.

The child asks her mother, "Why is that man wearing a skirt?" The mother replies, "Because he's smart."

What I find truly funny is teenaged girls in jeans who look at me like the sky is falling. They just can't comprehend it. They never say anything, they just stare blankly like a deer caught in the glare of headlights.

My chiropractor, Tami, has a daughter of about 14 years old. Tami likes the kilts and took one of the cards to give to her husband. The daughter was in the office one day and I asked her if she liked the kilt (she'd been staring at me like I was some kind of icky bug).

She said something to the effect of, "Why would you wear something like that?" She, of course was wearing jeans. I told her it was comfortable and practical and looks better on me than trousers.

Then I told her that her mom likes them and wants her dad to wear them. Poor kid almost fell out of the chair. When she caught her breath she said, "Well, he'd better not come to my school wearing one of them things!"

Anyone want to place bets that she'll someday be dating a guy who wears kilts?

[Blu (Ontario)]

.... so that leaves me most of the year in the "nutcase" pidgeonhole!....

Certainly applies to my case!
But is it just possible that "midlife crisis" figures into the equation! Might make a good story anyway.