brutal first kilted outing

[jjoseph]

After living in an arguably backward part of Texas, and only getting the occasional stray comment, I was surprised that it was tougher when I moved to the D.C. area in May. But after a few rough weeks, either my skin is thicker or I've gone a bit deaf because it seems like it's much smoother sailing now and most of the comments that I do hear make me smile.

I have to say the funniest was when I got the "Hey, f@gg0t!," cat call from a guy in the Metro, but his buddy grabbed the fellow hard by the arm and said, "Hey, no man, he Irish, he Irish." LOL. I just kept walking, but oh what a smile I was wearing. I should add that I do get a LOT of compliments too. Gents asking where I bought my kilts, ladies telling their gent HE should wear one, and of course "the question" all in good humor. The balance is by far on the happier side of the scale.

Last month a fellow kiltie and I were at a mall when a kilted teenage boy runs up to us to say hello. Evidently he took a fare amount of goodnatured flack from his friends about his kilt, but he got some real mileage and validation from his friends seeing other guys kilted and just out at the mall. That felt good. We are rebreaking ground with the kilt thing. Even when it's rough, we do make it easier for the next bloke.

Hang in there. Folks will get used to "the kilted guy"... and if it's like my experience, you'll either encourage a fence sitter or two in the area to take the kilted plunge or you'll run into a crowd of kilties one day and go, "dang, we're everywhere!"

Hang tough!

[KiltedKnight]

Not to worry, you aren't alone, I've heard that "Nice skirt ******" come from the anonymity of a crowd as well but I just turned around and asked "What coward just said that?" and of course there was no reply so I ended it with, "That's what I thought, just another coward". and in so doing I got the last word in.

As has been stated so many times you have to remember that those creeps that pull that sort of thing are doing it because they don't have the intestinal fortitude that it takes to march to the tune of a different, if somewhat distant drummer and are afraid of you because you do have the courage to break out of the mold.

Chris.

[efer]

Glad to hear your "brutal" outing won't discourage you from more public outings. Wear your kilt proudly.

I heard many "Nice skirt, ..." during my recent vacation in New England. Some were sincere while most were sarcastic. I just stood alittle taller, said "Thanks!" to most and ignored the others.
Cheers

[cessna152towser]

Ignoring the remark can be the best response as it leaves the frustrated creep who shouted it even more frustrated that his comment may have gone unheard by you.

[Gary Krueger]

I have always said that I have to be pretty firmly set in my own sexuality to wear a kilt. Heck, I'm a piper. I not only wear a kilt, but a hat with ribbons hangin down the back of my neck, "Knee Sox" (kilt hose) with little ribbons (flashes) hanging out the side. Shoes without a tounge and laces that wrap up my legs a way before they end in a bow.

My wife goes with me to the highland games and celtic celebrations and the only problem she has with me wearin' the kilt is all the cute young girls who want to have their picture taken with "a real scot" or mostly with a piper.

I am 6' 4" and weigh 280 lbs full beard and white hair.

Now I do wear the kilt out for other occasions, but as with anything, I wear it to special occasions. It would not be proper at work. Although, I am sure that once the novelty wore off... eh, the proper at work is a personal choice.

Since I play a lot of weddings and funerals, it is expected. However, being honest, wearing the kilt doesn't help me play any better.

The kilts I wear, one is a band kilt...modern wilson and the other is in honor of my wife's family...Ross weathered hunting, I reserve for special occassions, Christmas, New Years other holidays where we go out for a special dinner. I wore the last day of work when I retired and out to dinner with 12 friends to celebrate (unfortunately I had to return to the work scene)

I wore it for our 40th wedding anniversary celebration with a tux shirt and jacket.

I don't like going regimental...tried it once...again a personal choice.

As long as you hurt no one...do as you like.

[Chris Webb]

No doubt an insult shouted from the safety of a crowd does not deserve your rebuttal, it is not a man who has insulted you but a barking dog. As for looks, even laughs, it's natural for folks to do both when seeing you dressed so far outside of social norms for the very first time. What looks like mean stares are most often folks just taking a really good look at you. If you smile they'll universally smile back.

Pay no mind to annonymous insults, but, if such a thing happens at your normal pub or family gathering you should put a stop to it right then and there. If you don't then you will become the "easy target" every time you show up and you will have to put up with it for as long as you will put up with it. The longer you wait to confront such borish behavior the harder and more dramatic it will be to stop it later, if it can be stopped at all.

My favorite hang out is a Honky Tonk called the Rig. When I first showed up in my kilt I was imeadiately hit with the "nice skirt" comment made in a very insulting manner before I even got in the door. This comment was not made from a crowd it was made by one of two cowboys both of which had at least 4" of height on me. I stopped dead in my tracks and said, "Nice Hat!" Both of them brusseled up and said again, "Nice SKIRT." I took a step toward them and said, "NICE HAT!" Before I could finish the word 'hat' they both were disappearing into the parking lot.

Later that night one of them showed back up and appologized. He wound up telling pretty much everybody else at the bar that I had bigger balls than all of them and that my kilt just proves it. It's funny, sometimes I'll go into the Rig and some new guy will start to set up for a smartass comment ... before he can even get it out somebody else invariably stops him.

If you let one person insult you then latter let another and another it won't be long before you become the clown of the bar ... at that point even the most aggressive "barking back" will only make you look like a pityful whiner. No matter what you say it will sound like "Stop Picking on Me!" If you ask for help from the staff you'll look like you're crying for your Mamma. After that it's time for a new bar and possibly for a new town.

I've said it many times, once in this post: You will have to put up with it for as long as you put up with it. So don't put up with it and ....

Kilt On!

Chris Webb

[TechBear]

I had a similar experience a few weeks ago.

I live on Seattle's Capitol Hill, an inner city neighborhood which is both the city's main gay district and an area that attracts a lot of street punks and street punk wanna-bes.

I had gone out to breakfast with some friends, wearing my olive green Utilikilt mocker. After breakfast, I did some grocery shopping and was on my way home with a full bag in each hand. While passing a group of punks, one kid made a loud comment along the lines of, "Only f----ts wear skirts!"

Immediately, several others in the group say in unison, "It's a kilt, you idiot!" As I walked on, I heard one say, in a somewhat threatening tone, "I have two of them. You calling me a f----t?"

A friend latter confirmed that the UK workman is a popular fashion statement in Seattle's goth and punk music scenes. :rolleyes:

[pbpersson]

Immediately, several others in the group say in unison, "It's a kilt, you idiot!" As I walked on, I heard one say, in a somewhat threatening tone, "I have two of them. You calling me a f----t?"

Oh...that is just TOO funny!

[RCallan]

When ever anyone says anything negative about my kilt...I just turn them and loudly state ...... either....."YOUR just GREEEEEEEEEEEN with ENVY"

Or

"BLOWWWWWW MEEEeeeeee ...... a kiss if you love me!"

Makes me laugh and always keeps the fools at bay.

[morrison]

...reactions wearing the kilt to a large car show. . .

I think it may have been a more fortunate Initial Public Appearance for you my friend Canawler. The larger the crowds, the greater the likelihood of a cascade of commentary. In your instance that commentary, the negative, deprecatory epithets, came from some whom are apt to be less confident with their own self images. Therefore they'll attempt to drag down another who is apparently in a comfort zone far away from them. Their current realm of nearly living doesn't include people whose imagery (appearance) is not on the horizon of their own limited, narrow comfort levels. We, (you and I and others willing to live alive) continue expanding our personal comfort zones and seeking wider horizons for the masses to scoff at while sitting in their little dung puddles.

One more "bravo" for the free man! Living for the life of freedom.