I'm just ticked off

[Scotus]

When you're wearing something that isn't a part of our daily culture, you must expect these kinds of reactions and words. I wouldn't worry about it, nor would I try to come back at people with words, as that lowers you to their base level. Hold your head up with dignity and keep on walking by. You do not answer to any of these people.

[Mael Coluim]

Some good advice here. I would award FM the prize for the best. My usual comment to the bagpipes questions is as follows:

If they ask if I play the bagpipes, I will say, yes of course you know its a requirement to wear a kilt. Usually their facial expression will change from being a Smart A-- to a Dumb A--.

If they ask, "where are your pipes?" I reply they are in my car's truck.
Give me $200 and I'll get them and play Amazing Grace for you. That usually shuts down up real fast.

Right, I don't play the pipes.

[Semiomniscient]

When you're wearing something that isn't a part of our daily culture, you must expect these kinds of reactions and words. I wouldn't worry about it, nor would I try to come back at people with words, as that lowers you to their base level. Hold your head up with dignity and keep on walking by. You do not answer to any of these people.

Ditto this.

I just explained to my students (inner city school) about how if people would just ignore hurtful remarks, then they'd stop all together, and eventually you wouldn't have to beat someone up for "disrespeckin' you." They had trouble believing that people don't make fun of me because I don't respond to silliness.
My kids know about kilts, and they respect me (mostly) so they're learning how to react to it. I've shown them pictures of me in a kilt, and while it's completely novel to them, they understand it's not a skirt now... or are beginning to.

[Riverkilt]

Don't know the content, but maybe she was trying to dig herself out of that first hole...I vote stupid.

"If I wanted to dress like a woman I'd wear pants." is a wonderful comeback to the crossdressing accusation.

Though it may not have been an appropriate response in the business venue to a strange lady, "Under my kilt" is a great response to "Where are your bagpipes"...for me, it shuts men up cold and puts women to muttering to themselves.

Been my experience that for some sad reason I've received the most negative response to my kilts from out lesbians - as if they're defending their unbifurcated turf...maybe she was....(yes, I know, many out lesbians are also strong supporters of the kilt - just MY experience around here.)

And of course a wonderful response is to just keep on walking....

She doesn't have the power to make you angry...keep on kiltin'

[Bigkahuna]

Tell her what you have under the kilt is too large to fit comfortably in trousers.

[Brian K]

Against stupidity you can do very little.

Greg

Or, as Schiller put it, "Against stupidity the Gods themselves contend in vain."

[Brian K]

Been my experience that for some sad reason I've received the most negative response to my kilts from out lesbians - as if they're defending their unbifurcated turf...maybe she was....(yes, I know, many out lesbians are also strong supporters of the kilt - just MY experience around here.)

I know exactly what you mean, Ron. When I first mentioned my desire to wear a kilt my siblings, especially my brothers, thought it was a cool idea. My lesbian sister on the other hand said "You want to wear a SKIRT?!?" I told her "Yes, a MAN'S skirt!"

My baby brother is my biggest booster. When his daughter was having a graduation party his soon to be father-in-law said they'd be coming but he'd have to stop and change after attending the Syracuse Highland games. Chad told him in no uncertain terms he was to show up in his kilt! He arrived in a lovely Royal Stewart kilt and everyone thought he looked simply smashing.

Regards,

Brian

[ForresterModern]

"Under my kilt" is a great response to "Where are your bagpipes"...for me, it shuts men up cold and puts women to muttering to themselves.

I might add another line to this exchange which will likely have an even stronger effect on both sexes, but could end you up in a fistfight with a woman's male date or if said to a man. It probably wouldn't stop me though, but then I am 6'5" and 275#, which has some advantages. My version of this exchange, when it is said with clear malicious or demeaning intent, is as follows:

Stupid mean person: "Where are your bagpipes? Ha Ha."

Me: "Under my kilt. Why, are you interested in trying to play them yourself?" Then stand there for that seemingly never-ending moment with a glint in your eye waiting for their response (verbal or physical), before turning on your heel and sauntering away with the biggest grin on your face and your pleats in full swish mode.


Cheers.

jeff

[DeWayne Ross]

There's always someone willing to say something similar to that in just about any occasion.
In my experience it usually spurs from an insecurity deep rooted in the individual making the comment, and perhaps some jealousy in the fact that there are persons with larger comfort zones than their own.
Additionally in my experience such person(s) making such comments typically are not even aware of their limited personal paradigms.

Statements, or excited utterances, always give glimpses into the individual speaking.

[HighlandMax]

...........you have to take into consideration, that there are a lot of ignorant people in this world. I too have been asked where are my bagpipes. I just say the truth, that I'm just now learning how to play them, and therefore left them at home.
I live in a rather small southern town, and the people here are not use to seeing anyone, much less a man, wearing a kilt. I'm Catholic and therefore I only wear my kilt to Mass each sunday. Most people accept it, I've even had a few to thank me for wearing it. I've only had one sneer look from a woman who simply looked and shook her head. I have yet to have anyone say anything negative.
You just keep doing what you feel is right, reguardless of what others say or do.