I went to a wedding last night and discovered that there are still quite a few people that are ignorant of Scottish heritage. I actually had someone come up and say,"Pirate, right? That's cool man. Pirate!". Now granted this guy had put a few Keystone Lights away but he was actually serious. I told him that he couldn't be more wrong and he said,"No, not a Pirate huh?". His wife leaned in and whispered something in his ear and she seemed slightly embarrassed by the comment. Then he said,"It's medieval though right? Something to do with Castles and stuff." I then went into a brief (very brief) lesson about Kilts then put as much distance between myself and that guy as possible. It didn't end there though. Next, I got a guy who walks up to my wife and says, "This wedding has it all. There's even a guy over there in a skilt!". No I didn't spell that wrong he said skilt and multiple times thereafter. So my wife responds with, "Yeah, that guys my husband." We had a long conversation about him and his Irish ancestry (Valentine). The lecture about UlsterScots would have been too long and the night was too short to set this guy straight. Anyway, just thought I'd share. It's never been easy for us brave public Kilt wearers has it.
I attached a photo of Misty, Liam and I.
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David Patton President Clan Lamont Society of North America
David, that's a really nice looking pirate skilt . The worst comment I ever got was at a highland festival I was working at and the guy was a scot! He told his son, "See Johnny, I told you we would see a guy in a skirt. Scotland, what am I supposed to say to that given that his young son is within earshot? Anyway, you look very well put together and you have a beautiful family, I'm sure you're very proud.
Thanks! I know that if the Kilt police saw this photo they would be all over me for all the little stuff but it's the best I can do for formal right now.
I've heard the "guy in a skirt" comment more times than I care to think about. I feel that when I hear it the person has a confidence issue of some kind. It's much easier to poke fun isn't it.
Oh well. I'm still going to push on.
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David Patton President Clan Lamont Society of North America
That's a great family picture! Liam looks like he wants to say he is proud to have a great mom and dad.
I have been fortunate not to have many rude comments over the years, when I have been in my kilt. If anyone makes a comment I usually say "that I have never received a bad comment from the ladies, and I could care less what the boys think."
Just like the t-shirt reads that I have, "Real Men Wear Kilts.
You and your family look great, it is sad there are so many misinformed people out there in the world. That guy probably has a bunch of Scottish ancestors lurking back there in his heritage and he doesn't even know it YET.
I have done most of my kilt wearing at Scottish functions so I really haven't had a lot of comments about a skirt. I did had some interesting comments at church on the Sunday I wore my kilt to present a quick blurb on our upcoming Kirkin'. I was the only guy there wearing a kilt that Sunday.
Now I have been the recipient of some strange stares at the grocery store whenever I have made a quick stop to pick up something on the way to or from one of the many functions I attend. I have worn the kilt for several years, I am so comfortable in it that the stares don't even bother me anymore.
Ken is right "it takes a real man to wear a kilt".
-- Edited by MacPatrick at 08:45, 2009-02-17
-- Edited by MacPatrick at 08:46, 2009-02-17
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Jim Lovelace CLSNA Director - SE Region Georgia, Alabama & Tennessee Area Commissioner - CLSNA
I was reading the paper at work on 3-13-09 and the entire Dear Abby column was dedicated to the wearing of the kilt. It was titled "Why shouldn't man wear kilt?" There were some excellent letters. (I will scan it soon) Although I was alarmed by the frequent use of the word skirt, it was sort of corrected in the letters.
It just shows that the wearing of the kilt is coming back into fashion. If Dear Abby says it's ok you know it's the truth!
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James Patton
Another Patrick VP Northeast Region Ohio Commissioner Pennsylvania Commissioner All Around Cool Guy
Facebook group: Clan Lamont Society of North America
Dave. Great Picture of you and your family. I do not have my Kilt as of yet but my plan is to have one soon. Most of the time when someone asks me why out of ignorence, I usually respond with "If I have to explain it to you, you'll never understand anyway."
It looks as though you had fun, and I cann't believe it...Your son looks almost like my Oldest Son did at your sons age, the only difference is my son has red hair but just as curly.
Love the photo David. At my daughters wedding my Dad of all people said, "Look at the guy in the skirt." Yes, my Dad is Scottish American. My daughter below and Bagpiper, David Daye.
Love the photo David. At my daughters wedding my Dad of all people said, "Look at the guy in the skirt." Yes, my Dad is Scottish American. My daughter below and Bagpiper, David Daye.
Thanks Selkie. That's a great photo you have uploaded as well. Don't worry about your father. My Dad is exactly the same way. He accepts it but he's not into it.
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David Patton President Clan Lamont Society of North America
David, Do you think that if I take your statement to a genealogist they would except it as my connection to Lamont. My son still has red hair but no longer curly. Any way I did enjoy the picture and one of these days I will upload a photo. Hope you feel better soon. Enjoy the rest of the week, it is suposed to start to warm up, up here in the "Frozen Tundra of Wisconsin"
Do you have any contact info with the other Lamont members in Wisconsin, I'ld like to possibly contact them and see if we could meet.