A conversation at the supermarket

[Milfmog]

I was at the local supermarket doing the shopping yesterday evening when I was approached by a woman of about forty or so who said that none of her family would believe that she had seen a man shopping in a kilt. Apparently she’d noticed me a couple of times before and told the kids getting a “yeah, right…” response. So she’d brought her daughter (mid-teens) with her to see for herself!

The conversation followed the usual pattern:
“I love the kilt, do you go dancing after you’ve been here?”
“No, just home to put the shopping away”
“So why the kilt?”
“Because I like it and it’s comfortable.”
“What clan?”
“Nope, I’m not a Scot.”
“Don’t you feel out of place?”
“No, I like not looking like everyone else.”
“Why?”
“Well, for instance, if I was wearing jeans we would not be having this conversation…..”
“Oh…….”


Both mother and daughter said they liked the look and thought more guys ought to wear kilts. I thanked them, but chickened out of telling them that I also wear (other) skirts when it suits me.

That’s the first time I’ve had any kind of comment from a stranger for ages. It’s great to know that they went home talking about it and probably told their friends.

It’s not often I leave Tesco with a smile on my face.

Have fun,


Ian.

[iain]

cool! what kind of kilt, style, length, etc?

[Milfmog]

It was a cheap and cheerful one that no self respecting Scot would ever be seen in; top of knee length, black poly/cotton blend with 2 buckles on the right and one on the left. I was wearing black kilt hose and flashes yesterday though I usually don't bother with the hose.

It's the first mug I introduced my wife to and despite the fairly poor quality I like it for its practicality (easy to wash and pleats stay in well) and the fact that being cheap I don't worry about the risk of damaging it.

Next week I may wear a long black cargo skirt instead; wonder if that will raise any eyebrows.

Have fun,


Ian.

[iain]

interesting how nobody in the general public really know the difference. and they all turn heads: I wore a black cargo skirt on saturday and many people politely pointed it out to their companions.

if it makes people think, and talk about it to one or two people, it means a change has happened somewhere! everybody has the power to do this, but not many people use it, hence the slowness which society changes.

[Departed Member]

A black cargo skirt was my first venture into a 'below the knee' skirt. Purchased because I once saw some lads (yes, lads!) wearing them in southern Portugal (the Algarve). Others in their group wore Kilts, and none were Scottish! I felt quite embarrassed as I was, err, wearing shorts at the time. I did ask were they got them from - a men's clothes shop in Lagos, apparently. Don't rush there, though, that was 4-5 years ago!

Apart from on holidays, I have worn it locally (when the wife's not around - she still gets bothered about it) to the corner shop, cash machine, etc. A few quizzical looks (to be expected, it is unusual, after all!), but most folk just don't register, even when you are conversing with them. One of the assistants at our corner shop always goes out of her way to see if I am wearing a skirt (a tad obviously!), but has never (yet!) made a single comment. The only one I've overheard, so far, was, "At least someone's comfortable!"

[iain]

I guess the world really is changing! I would never have imagined it, 20 years ago, but now it seems very possible. cropped trousers seems absurd 5 years ago on guys, but now they're everywhere. give it another 5 years and I think skirts for men will be commonplace.

[ChrisM]

I have been wearing kilt skirts (tartan plaid but they are too long, too fitted, and wrap the wrong way to be kilts) around Norway for the last few weeks. I have turned many heads and had several people ask if I am Scottish. The most vocal was a German exchange student who cornered me in the Grocery store, wanted a photo, wanted my wife to take a photo of him standing next to me, and then asked for my email address so he could send me a copy of the photo! Really he was remarkably effusive in his delight!

The only thing close to a negative comment is that little boys (say ~10 years old) laughed and giggled at the sight of me, while wandering the high street in Roros.

The good bit is that my wife and I tend to be surprised at ANY reaction, because we are both so familiary with the skirts that we forget I'm wearing one.

Chris

[Charlie]

Hi Ian,

Just noticed from your message header that you are in Buckinghamshire.

I was in the same county last Wednesday (18 Oct) with my wife. I wore a denim Union kilt. We visited the services on J10 of the M40, and called in at a car yard to retrieve some things from my son's wrecked car (the accident wasn't his fault and he wasn't hurt)

We spent the afternoon at Bletchley Park (the wartime code-breaking place where they built the world's first programmable computer in 1944). A most interesting place, well worth a visit.

All the time we were out and about there were - no comments but the girl at the car yard had more than one look

Charlie