Not the nicest thing in the world to say

[longshadows]

I'm sure what she said must have hurt and angered you greatly - but... it could be an opportunity to turn lemons into lemonaid. If you ever see her again and she was indeed a kiltmaker trained in Scotland, she may be able to offer you some valuable tips and tricks earned from years of kiltmaking experience.

I guess I'm just a glass is half full kinda guy...

Phil, I like whatever's in your "glass!" Excellent thoughts; and MacHummel, you're to be commended for your "presence" at that difficult and no doubt painful moment.

Yet, I wonder how much of her anger comes from her "loss" (the fact that she is growing old and unable to see and use the needle to craft something she obviously feels strongly about). It's amazing how some people can re-direct their own anger. If you could re-connect with her and see if there is any way to transform her sense of loss and anger into something beneficial to you both, she might be a good source of advice to you (if you felt you could work with her) and it might make her feel better about herself and your products.

I don't know, maybe it's wishful/romantic thinking on my part, but wouldn't it be nice if you both benefited from this encounter.

[MacHummel]

These are my exact sentiments
I hope to be able to meet up with her again I'm sure I will and hopfully create a bridge. It's not fun to be angry I try to be a positive person and always hope for the best.
By the way has anyone told you folks that XMarkers rule you folks have been a great source not only for kilts but for making people feel better, and giving courage to some who need it .
Thank You
I hold a dram to all of you

[longshadows]

By the way has anyone told you folks that XMarkers rule you folks have been a great source not only for kilts but for making people feel better, and giving courage to some who need it.

I think it's what's called a "mutual support group," but isn't that what we're all here for anyway--be it on this forum or in each aspect of our lives: to help each other. (We're just a bit more focused here on XMarks )

mp

[THISLPT]

Today as I was organzing stuff for our store front in Elora On, an elderly lady and her friends walk past the window and saw me dressing a dumby for the store. The women asks me "do you make kilts here?" I said yes she turns and says "no you don't you make crap(not the actual word but I'm polite) can't you tell by my accent I'm scottish I was a kilt maker when I was younger and let me tell you those aren't the garb of my people".
So I explained to her that what I make is a kilt that is a affordable custom kilt,explained fabric, and yardage etc. she told me flat out that I was a disgrace to kiltmaking and a disgrace to all things scottish.
At this point I'm on fire I really don't feel I'm a disgrace to anything. So I asked her why is it that she feels this way, and why come into someones place of business and tear a whole in them. I said to her that what I'm do is simply keeping a form of dress alive that has history and culture if anything she should be a little happy that someone in the area is doing this. She really got on my nerves she would pick up one of my kilts and pointed out all their flaws , I smiled and thank her for all the constuctive critisim and asked why doesn't see make them any more she replies I have lost most of my sight and my hands won't hold a pin as well as they used to.
Just venting much better now.

Why the nerve of that craggy old bat.

Here's a good suggestion. Find a male mannequin and dress it in a kilt, hot pink thong underwear and berkenstocks. Be sure that the thong is somewhat exposed. When she passes by the next time, Ask her what she thinks of the latest craze in highland attire. :rolleyes:

[Big Paul]

Sounds like she suffers from B.O.L.S.! For those that don't know what B.O.L.S. is, it's Bitter Old Lady Syndrome!!

[macwilkin]

Whilst I never endorse anyone being rude to anyone else, especially in this case -- this woman soulds a lot like some of the patrons at my job as a Genealogy librarian -- I would ask everyone to please not judge all traditionalists, myself included, by her standards. I've read some subtle digs at traditionalists in some of the replies here, and even though I am a 100% "dyed-in-the-wool" traditionalist, I would never dream of telling anyone who wears a modern or casual kilt that they were wrong, a disgrace, etc. The modern variants are not right for me, but I would never dream of being rude to anyone. For me, the kilt is a traditional Scottish garment, and I personally like traditional things -- I certainly respect other's perogative to choose something else; all I ask is for that respect to be reciprocated.

Sorry, I just had to post that before we had a round of "bash the traditionalist" here.

Regards,

Todd

[auld argonian]

I don't know that anyone is going to bash the traditionalists but the woman's behavior was totally off the wall. I don't get these oldsters that bemoan the lack of civility in our society and then seem to feel free to go on derogatory rants whenever they feel like it...I run into quite a few of them and I consider myself rather polite and not deserving of any of their nonsense.

Sorry that they're old but that doesn't give them the right to be rude.

Best

AA

[macwilkin]

I don't know that anyone is going to bash the traditionalists but the woman's behavior was totally off the wall. I don't get these oldsters that bemoan the lack of civility in our society and then seem to feel free to go on derogatory rants whenever they feel like it...I run into quite a few of them and I consider myself rather polite and not deserving of any of their nonsense.

Sorry that they're old but that doesn't give them the right to be rude.

Best

AA

Subtle digs that could easily turn into bashing, AA. Most of my traditionalist friends would never condone this sort of behaviour, and I agree, being old does not give the automatic right to be rude, especially when directed at a young person. I was on the receiving end of that many a time in the Genealogy Department, especially when they found out I had a degree.

T.

[Kilted KT]

I think it's what's called a "mutual support group," but isn't that what we're all here for anyway--be it on this forum or in each aspect of our lives: to help each other. (We're just a bit more focused here on XMarks )

mp

I'm sure we are called Xmarks because "Kilties Anonymous" sounds a bit off...definitly serves the same purpose, though.

[bubba]

Todd, I wouldn't exactly call you a traditionalist as it's being used here. I'd be inclined to say your tastes run to the traditional look but not consider it a law that must be enforced on everyone.