Idiot in a skirt!

[Nick]

I had an unleasant experiance a couple hours ago. I was in the Art building at school working on a project. There's a fairly long hallway, the Metals studio is on one end, the blacksmithing studio is around the corner at the other end, and I work in both.

I wore my UK Workman's today, and I was heading from Metals to Blacksmithing. At the far end of the hall is a bench, upon which were seated four guys I didn't recognize. I stopped at my locker to get my grinder, and I could see that they were all staring at me. As I walked by I could see out of the corner of my eye they were still looking at me, and I just walked by ignoring them. Before I had even rounded the corner they were lauging their arses off, and as soon as the corner was rounded they were ridiculing my choice of garment in loud voices.

I went into the monitor's office to get an extension cord, and we both commented on stupid people. She said there was nothing I could do, and I told her yes there was, I could have been an idiot back, but I have better things to do and don't want to stoop to their level.

[MacHummel]

I have only had that problem once or twice and usally its a dumb jock who hasn't grown up and is really trying to impress the people around them , but for such instances I always make sure that when I have a comment it it not only makes them look stupid it baffles them . I'm not a violent person so swinging a chair at someone doesn't work , besides the more they talk the more attention is attracted to that guy in a kilt sooner or later there is someone that will support you or a pretty lady that will want to get to know the sweet, sensitive, kilted guy that was taking alot of abuse from those big mean guys.

[auld argonian]

Well....a while back there was a quote in the "quoteable quotes" column in the newspaper that I saved...it was from an Air Force general and it was someting like, "The two most dangerous things in military aviation are testosterone and adrenalin." Sorry that I can't cite the gentleman who said it...that little shard of paper is here somewhere...but it seems apropo in circumstances like this. Add "alcohol" to the mix and things can get downright sh*tty.

A lot of you guys seem to be into martial arts and weaponry and the like...good for you. I happen to have two kids, a wife, three dogs and a mortgage and I'm on the back-side of fifty years old...I'm not going to take a chance on some schmuck putting me in hospital or worse because I want to shoot off a witty remark at the wrong time and to the wrong overserved moron. If some of you want to tempt fate, it's up to you. Past experience has taught me that no matter how bad you are there's always somebody worse or the guy has a couple of friends who feel that "honor" demands that they avenge their comrade.

I'll just smile, finish up and leave quietly...haven't had a problem yet but if I did I'd have to come to the conclusion that that would be one gin mill that I wouldn't want to drink in anyway. Most bartenders don't like to lose customers and will try to keep the peace whenever possible.

Best

AA

[GMan]

I just consider the source. May even change pubs if it continues.

[C blessing]

Here are some of my responses to to the" skirt " word...
its only a skirt if you find me attractive...{to a guy }
its whats under it that determines wether its a skirt or a Kilt.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

...I happen to have two kids, a wife, three dogs and a mortgage and I'm on the back-side of fifty years old...I'm not going to take a chance on some schmuck putting me in hospital or worse because I want to shoot off a witty remark at the wrong time and to the wrong overserved moron...

I have to echo your thoughts. When alcohol, or group encouragement, kicks in, there can be trouble. I am not quite at the same age as you, but I have the size to "start something" (or maybe incite it) and refuse to do so. I will always choose to back down and fight with words, then leave, as opposed to ending up in the drunk tank or in the ER. I am not a pacifist, but individual violence does not accomplish anything final, nor does group viloence.

[mudd]

I know you guys are right with the nonviolent approach. But deep down, I’d really rather just hit the guy with a chair.

[Angus MacSpey]

An old story I heard:

A Japanese ninja master, an old fellow, perhaps in his 60's, decided to wander into a bar in a large American city. While he was sitting at the bar enjoying the atmosphere, a drunken lout started harassing him.

The drunk was very large - easily a foot taller and 50 pounds heavier than the old man, and it wasn't fat. He simply would not leave the old Japanese man alone, and even got so belligerent as to demand they go outside and scrap.

Now, our ninja here, as I said, was a master of his art. He could whip anyone, even at his advanced age, and not even break a sweat. He knew he could have the drunk on the floor within seconds.

What did he do?

He put his arm around the drunk's shoulder and said, "Come, my friend. Let me buy you a beer."

After that, they sat quietly drinking and talking for a while.

The moral of this story is, while there are times when violence is necessary (such as if our drunk didn't want another beer), often it can be avoided very easily. Personally, I have been in a scrap or two, but I could have been in many more had I not exercised some discretion and temperance. Men can fight and be friends 10 minutes later.

Now chick fights, on the other hand....

[Riverkilt]

Good story Angus,

I've been using a line lately...just saying politely, "You're right, a kilt is a type of skirt." Agreeing sort of disarms their teasing.

My favorite is still, "MY balls made parole." Usually that turns them to laughing.

And I agree, and know well from long years of experience, there's just no way to reason with a drunk. I'm sure at most bars the manager or bouncer would handle the situation if you went up to them and told them you came in for a peaceful drink, should you leave before there's trouble or will they speak with the drunk?

One nice thing about quitting drinking, I don't go into bars anymore so am around a LOT fewer drunks.

Ron

[Yaish]

I rarely ever get comments like that. If I do I just ignore them and continue talking to the bevy of attractive ladies that the kilt has collected.