I live near the Castro in San Francisco. Granted, it's got to be among the most Utilikilt-friendly neighborhoods anywhere.
Still, when I'm walking around in one of my kilts I'm surprised at the number of passersby who comment. Many say "nice kilt," or sometimes "nice skirt," and they obviously mean it (I've had a few sarcastic remarks too, but far fewer).
And then there are the true Utilikilt faithful, who shout "Hey, UTILIKILT!" from the windows of passing cars. Lately I've been wondering if any of those people are members of this tribe. They are in spirit, anyhow.
I was just thinking that, in a sense, Utilikilt wearers have more of an actual sense of tribe (or clan) than most of my tribes here. Have others felt this?
No one has ever yelled "Hey, PANTS" at me.
Still, when I'm walking around in one of my kilts I'm surprised at the number of passersby who comment. Many say "nice kilt," or sometimes "nice skirt," and they obviously mean it (I've had a few sarcastic remarks too, but far fewer).
And then there are the true Utilikilt faithful, who shout "Hey, UTILIKILT!" from the windows of passing cars. Lately I've been wondering if any of those people are members of this tribe. They are in spirit, anyhow.
I was just thinking that, in a sense, Utilikilt wearers have more of an actual sense of tribe (or clan) than most of my tribes here. Have others felt this?
No one has ever yelled "Hey, PANTS" at me.
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Thu, September 22, 2005 - 6:37 PM"Hey, PANTS"
Bwah-h-ha-a-ha-ha-ha-ha! That's hilarious.
Yep, even when *I* wear my utilkilt, I still get "nice kilt!" or "nice Utilkilt!"...but usually when I'm in San Francisco downtown. Here in Berkeley...eh, not so much. People just look at me strangely, which is funny, because Berkeley used to be so progressive, and now it's just sort of a soccer-mom bedroom community. Bless its heart.
I love wearing it, and feeling that sense of community.... and men tend not to try and fuck with me when I'm stomping around in my giant New Rock boots and my green camo UK. -
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Fri, September 23, 2005 - 11:19 AMHeatherLyn,
I looked at your pics, and found the kilt and the boots in separate photos. Nice. Stomp on!
I need to get some kilt photos taken. -
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Sat, September 24, 2005 - 9:47 PMThe best Ultikilt moment I've had ever was at Edinburgh Castle (yes, in Scotland). I was decked in a black Utilikilt, plain black tee, recently dyed blue hair, and new brush-blue Gladiator boots from Camden Town. Even with the Royal Regiment up the hill with bagpipes and full regalia, several tourist GIRLS asked to have their picture taken with me, and I was just a tourist like them. Oh yeah, happy to oblige. :-)
Just uploaded the pic; check my profile gallery. -
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Sat, September 24, 2005 - 10:53 PMThanks Lou,
Great story and a great photo... taken from a low angle, but so discreet! -
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Sun, September 25, 2005 - 4:10 PMi know since moving to SF about a year ago that i *always* notice a man in a utilikilt. other kilts are okay, but the uks are the best.
and if he's a redhead with furry legs...i probably cruise him like crazy! -
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Sun, October 2, 2005 - 9:40 PMOch!! That was YOU : ).
But seriously, I can so tell you all live in middle California (check the map).
I've worn mine exactly once here in San Diego proper (a couple times at parties and at BM of course).
It was singularly unfun. After the 9th or 10th car went by with someone hollering faggot at me the shine went right off it. I don't like being mad. Someone could get hurt. Maybe me.
I think it was the repetition that really got me down. I'd have freakin ascended if one person had been cool enough to say nice kilt, you lucky lucky bastards.
Sas
6'6", 250 and when my smile goes away....
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Sun, October 2, 2005 - 9:42 PMWell then, you obviously need to move.
Southern California is a nice place to be FROM.
Been there, done that. -
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Sun, October 2, 2005 - 11:15 PMLast weekend, I'm playing a gig. At the set break, I get in line for the mens room. The guy in front of me turns, looks me up and downm and says:
"OK...I gotta ask... whats with the kilt?"
Without missing a beat, I just ask in the same tone of voice:
"Whats with the pants?"
"Good point" he says.
Thats the best response I've found so far. I've explained a couple of times:
I wear kilts for the same reson you wear pants. We'd get arresed if we went to the grocery naked. That generally ends anything negative in any conversation, and it usually breaks the ice, so to speak. -
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This is the maximum depth. Additional responses will not be threaded.
Greetings and UK responses
Mon, October 3, 2005 - 10:22 AMmy vigin post on the UK tribe, I was sent here by this weekend's crew leader Daniel.
Grass Valley Celtic Fair was a great event and a good weekend for sales.
RE: SoCal
Carla and I were in LA on photo assignment in 2002 and decided to check out Hollywood Blvd shops. We had people staring, asking questions, asking for photos and yelling from cars. Now if anybody knows how jaded and weird Hollywierd is, this is a BIG deal. BTW I lived for 15 years in Burbank before I made my escape from smelLA back to NorCal, so I'm well versed in Hollywierd jadedness.
RE: Home - Chico, CA
I'm a smallish, athletic build guy (climber and bicycle commuter) and have never had anybody call me gay in the past 2.5 years of wearing UKs 100% of the time for work and pleasure. Chico is a small farming community with the state university here. As far as I know I'm the only other male that wears my UKs everyday, everywhere. I get complimets from women 18-80 at least 5 days a week. I hand out cards to other guys just about everywhere I go. I've learned that I have to keep a stock of UK cards in my pocket at all times.
If somebody where to call me gay, you know what, that's their problem not mine and I feel sorry for them and their insecurites with their masuclinity and sexual identity. It would only become my problem if they got in my face and wanted to kick my ass or some other stupid homophobic actions against me in a physical sense.
Perhaps it comes with being a skatepunk since the mid 1970's, but I really don't give a rat's ass what people think about my appearance or sexual preference. I'm a straight guy and have been hit on all my adult life by gay men, I take it as a compliment and thank them for helping me feel good about myself and validating that I'm a desirable human being.
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Re: Greetings and UK responses
Sat, October 15, 2005 - 10:01 PMGood for you. Glad you're so very secure that endless cowardly 'tards can shout negative shit at you and you not be phased in the slightest. Kudos.
Me, I just want to kill them and I DON'T like to feel that way, so I DON'T wear my UK on the street in San Diego.
BTW, I was going to say I was a skate punk before you got out of elementary school but then I checked out your profile and will admit we're probably contemporaries : ).
San Diego Rad City Roller '78 - '87 and my Santa Cruz board is right over there by the door.
Sas
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Re: Greetings and UK responses
Mon, October 17, 2005 - 9:22 AMHa! yea actually you're 3 years my junior.
My last skate Alva (gifted to me by the man himself) is by the front door. Don't get much more than street transpo riding these days. Still paying for all the old injuries that are a constant reminder of my skate punk days :-/
DC -
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Re: Greetings and UK responses
Thu, October 20, 2005 - 8:27 AMI bow to your greater wisdom Sensai : ).
One of my old RCR buds is up there in the bay area. The traitor switched to roller blades and has some records, not to mention that he started the Nude Skates up there in the bay area. Sandy Snakenberg. Google him, the nude skate sites are a hoot.
Yes, the old wounds....
Nice to meet you.
Sas
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Mon, November 14, 2005 - 9:43 PMYo Sas...
I wear U.K.s with my NewRock Boots all the time in Coronado and SD.
Here are the approximate responses;
"Nice Kilt!"
"Nice Skirt!"
"Wow! That's hot."
*Stare of Confusion*
"Where did you get it? I want one."
"Where did you get it? I want one for my S.O. to wear."
(This next statement was from one of our sys admins at work...)
"-Oh my god! I don't think the dress code allows for that!"
--(She then proceeded with the next question :-)
"What do you wear under that?"
-My response if they are not attractive; "Just the boots."
-My response if they are attractive: "Please feel free to 'Explore'."
--Hands and some mouths have been used by the curious ones.
Disclaimer: I'm not a slut. I'm just popular.
Cheers!
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Tue, November 15, 2005 - 7:24 AMI've had some suprising and not so supring responses to my kilt.
BERKELEY: Heckled in an intimidating manner
SAN FRANCISCO: Heckled in a friendly manner
MONTEREY: Mostly ignored except for the homeless guys who love it
PACIFIC GROVE: Approached by several women at Trader Joes who kept asking me about it.
In my general experience, women tend to love it (and ask where they can buy one for their man), but a lot of minorities don't "get it". I don't think the concept of a kilt is really understood in the macho latino cultures...and to a lesser degree the african american community definately finds it strange. As such i tend to get the most aggressive "girlie-man" heckling from those groups. Of course I would probably get the same amount of heckling from white red-necks in Iowa if i still lived there...just an observation on California.
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Unsu...
Re: Response to kilt wearing
Tue, November 15, 2005 - 7:39 AMWhen I'm asked "What do you wear under that?," I just drop whatever I happen to be holding (keys, a pen, a piece of paper) and say, "Could you please pick that up for me?" :-)
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Fri, December 23, 2005 - 7:59 PMI am surpised that San Diego is such an asshole town in this regard. Don't let it get you down. Wear it when you are out with friends, to parties, to RenFairs, stuff like that. It will be fine. -
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Sat, December 24, 2005 - 9:04 PMYou bet I grab every chance to wear it admidst my friendly local burner community tht I can : ).
San Diego is chock full of people who secretly wish the Raiders were our local team : ). They aspire to be OC : ).
Sas
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Tue, November 22, 2005 - 10:20 AMI didn't see them.
But then, I never made it past the first three photos. Yummy!
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Wed, October 12, 2005 - 2:57 PMthe other cooks in resaurant think its a bit much but the server girls are always looking and perhaps wondering what it is i wear underneath :) -
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Thu, October 20, 2005 - 3:57 PM
I had a neighbor who had a particular dislike for me and always referred to me a "girly-man" and I always just ignored what I heard through the grapevine. So finally the fucker was waiting for me one night outside my house and we got into it. I broke my hand on his eyebrow and split him wide-open. Then word got back to his drinking buddies that "girly-man" had cracked his face. Ha. Eat crow fucker.
Other than that prick who's since moved, I get positive comments all the time.
Swaz -
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Fri, December 23, 2005 - 8:01 PMSwaz,
One thing you can absolutely count on:
I will *never* call you girly man.
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Unsu...
Re: Response to kilt wearing
Sat, October 22, 2005 - 10:02 AMI live in Mountain View, south of San Francisco. I have several UKs, but I don't wear them as much as I would like to. Sometimes I like the attention they get, but there are also times that I'm just not "up" enough to be "on" like that. The neighborhood I live in has a large proportion of real macho types, and I've gotten a few stares, snickers and catcalls. I can't understand why what *I'm* wearing threatens *them* but... whatever.
My reaction from women has been almost universally positive... and that's pretty cool. A beautiful lass at Ren Faire offered to tie a blue ribbon on... whatever was available... if I was willing to prove I was regimental. Not used to that kind of attention, I was flustered, and not sure how my date would handle it. So I politely declined. After we were out of earshot my date berated me and said I should have taken it. Ah, the perils of being shy. :)
SG -
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Unsu...
Re: Response to kilt wearing
Sat, October 22, 2005 - 10:32 AMYup, you should've taken it.
"Tie a yellow ribbon 'round the old oak tree," as the song goes. Or a blue one.
I've got to confess, I'm not sure how often I'd wear my UK's in Mountain View, either. Even in SF, once you get out of certain neighborhoods the response can change. When I see guys wearing them in really unlikely places (like, say, Disneyland) I'm sincerely impressed. And then, at the other end of the spectrum, there are the cowards who only trot out their kilts for select SF street fairs (Dore, Folsom & Castro) where suddenly **everyone** is wearing them.
I was at Trader Joe's last week and some sweet-looking old lady made a really snide crack about my "short skirt" (it goes to mid-knee). But then out in the parking lot, a young mommy with a stroller interrupted her cell phone call to say, "Utilikilts on guys are the best, you look great." -
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Mon, October 24, 2005 - 6:51 AM>"Tie a yellow ribbon 'round the old oak tree," as the song >goes. Or a blue one.
Wrong song. It's a reference to this one:
www.daire.org/scotsman/scotsman.html
Which is also why the ribbon on the kilt bells at Utilikilts booths is blue. -
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Mon, October 24, 2005 - 7:16 AM>Wrong song. It's a reference to this one:
www.daire.org/scotsman/scotsman.html
I, um, stand corrected. And enlightened. Thanks!
So... if a blue ribbon means 1st prize, what prize is a yellow ribbon? Whatever it is, I guess it's small potatoes. -
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Mon, October 24, 2005 - 7:29 AM>what prize is a yellow ribbon?
Just googled it. Yellow is 5th place.
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Tue, November 22, 2005 - 10:14 AMI don't know, but the yellow ribbon in the song has nothing to do with prizes. Displaying a yellow ribbon indicates that someone you love is far away from home and you miss them. You keep the yellow ribbon up until they return.
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Sat, October 22, 2005 - 12:22 PMGreetings from PDX!
I just got my black Original about a month ago. I love it to the point where I wear it almost daily.
Its strange what getting one does. I have never liked shopping for clothes, but my UK seems to have made me an addict. I'm already plotting my next purchase (thinking Workman's).
The reaction I get is generally positive from strangers, though a couple of my firnds think its was a silly idea. They're just gonna have to get used to it. I love it. I get a lot of smiles and a few questions. I've even even been hit on a couple times, which felt great.
I get a little touchy about the 'Skirt' thing, but generally ignore it. Only one truly negative comment and I promptly put that asshole in his place.
I was just thinking. There should be local UK get-togethers, perhaps. -
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Unsu...
Re: Response to kilt wearing
Sat, October 22, 2005 - 2:36 PM> I get a little touchy about the 'Skirt' thing
Yeah, I used to get defensive say say "It's a KILT." But, hey, it's all just words. On some level, a kilt is just a very specific type of skirt, no? What's in a name? It's all about the way it looks and the way it feels.
It's like hair products that say FOR MEN in huge letters... just Butch Assurance.
At that aforementioned museum exhibit, the gallery text kept referring to "non-biforcated garments." Hey, I'd rather wear a skirt than one of those!
Words, words, words. -
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Sat, October 22, 2005 - 10:16 PMYeah. I usually bite the head off of people I know who should know better (and KNOW they should know better).
:-P
Otherwise; Ignore, Ignore, Ignore. -
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Tue, November 15, 2005 - 9:03 AMIn SF all I hear is nice legs, lots of meows from women, even have the old GRRR when I'm in the correct neighborhood.
In Walnit Creek (suburban hell) I was walking into a restraunt and some young punk was clearly trying to think up a good line to sya, I just put my hand on his shoulder and said maybe he should analyze his girls reaction, which at this point was an enormous grin.
The workmans kilt has a lot of shiny buttons, and i have really great legs.
I get a LOT of phone numbers.
I do at times where my Kilt with my stilts. I get more than phone nunbers.
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Tue, November 15, 2005 - 4:46 PM"I do at times where my Kilt with my stilts. I get more than phone nunbers. "
HOT!
I agree, I love UKs on men. Heck, I love mine on me, too..... but there's just something about a guy in a kilt...you KNOW he has to not be a total slave to what society thinks. And that's hotter than just about anything.
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Fri, December 23, 2005 - 7:49 PMOverwhelmingly positive.
I've never had a negative comment but I tend to wear my kilts (Utilikilts) to fun venues and celebratory places. It is absolutely true that women love it! If I'd had one of these when I was single I could have gotten laid a *lot*more.
I've even had women insist that I turn around and "model" for them. I always do. One lady insisted that I turn and walk away--checking out my ass, no doubt. She was standing next to her husband so I gave him the card. (See below)
There are some risks. One night I had to dance repeatedly with two older ladies with matching LaVerne and Shirley sweaters--they kept handing me off to each other like tag team wrestling.
I carry Utilikilt cards in my pocket and give them to guys who ask.
It helps to have a great set of answers to FAQs
Q: Why do you wear a kilt?
A: I like to feel the wind through my hair. (I shave my head)
Q: What kind of man wears a skirt?
A: A man whose balls are too big for pants.
Q: What do you wear under your kilt?
A: My boots.
I once had a one year old walk under my kilt, lifting it up to pass between my legs. The adults thought it was hysterical.
It's a dirty rotten fact that it's easier to wear the kilt in some places if you look big, hairy and mean. Meaning like me. Which is sad because guys who *really* look good in kilts are the same ones who look good in anything--guys who are slender, buffed and handsome.
I wouldn't let that stop you from trying one. If you are slender buffed and handsome, you probably have lots of friends, don't need to hang out in trashy dives, and why would you give a shit what guys think anyway since you're are going to have women forcing their phone number on you?
Q: What does it take for a man to wear kilt?
A: Balls.
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Tue, December 27, 2005 - 9:51 AM*** Quote from DrM ***
It's a dirty rotten fact that it's easier to wear the kilt in some places if you look big, hairy and mean. Meaning like me. Which is sad because guys who *really* look good in kilts are the same ones who look good in anything--guys who are slender, buffed and handsome.
*** End Quote from DrM ***
Oh come on give me a break, take a look at my profile photos and you can see I am on the other side of the coin from big, hairy and mean.
I have worn my 7 kilts for the past couple years everyday, everywhere. I don't get people challenging me to fight and very, very, very few negative comments. I live in rural NorCal with lots of cowboys and rednecks around.
Could be that big guys don't want to take the chance getting their clocks cleaned by small guy in a skirt, so they don't even risk it.
I did get a 'nice kilt' compliment and conversation yesterday from the lesbians who live across the alley. Now that's an accomplishment a straight guy getting compliments from militant lesbians.
DC
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Wed, December 28, 2005 - 12:53 PMI wote "in some places"!!!!!!!!!!! And you do look slender, buffed and handsome. And I'm straight!. (No really, I am. Honest. Completely. But some of my best friends are......blah, blah, blah :-) )
I just felt bad for the San Diego dude. Ran into a string of obvious jerk offs. I hope he trys again. Encourage him.
I love wearing my two kilts and I think I may get another for the summer. i wish Utilikilt made a travel kilt out of lightweight nylon. I saw several women traveling in kilt lilke skirts on the road to Viet Nam and they advised it's they way to go in warm climates.
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Tue, November 22, 2005 - 10:16 AM> I get a little touchy about the 'Skirt' thing
I got over that a while ago. Now if someone says "nice skirt" I just say "thanks! I prefer to call it a kilt, but hey, as long as you like it..." Most of the time it turns out they were being sincere, and just didn't know whether to call it a kilt because it wasn't tartan.
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Wed, November 16, 2005 - 11:33 AMI'm a musician and live on the east coast.
I just came back from some gigs in the bay area of California (San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland), and I had nothing but good feedback. I didn't get one negative response, but rather got asked "where can I get one?" many times.
The east coast isn't quite so easy to wear a UK, but I've never got any seriously negative remarks here either.
It goes without saying that women on both coasts dig a UK!
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Unsu...
Re: Response to kilt wearing
Sun, November 27, 2005 - 6:13 AMAnyone from texas get responses?
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Sat, December 24, 2005 - 1:06 AMSo I recently went for a weekend in Vegas with a group of friends, and unknown to us it was the same weekend as the National Finals Rodeo. The town was Full of hub cap sized belt buckles and 10 gallon hats. No matter, I decided Friday night was the night to wear the kilt out (Not a Utilikilt brand, but very similar. Black cloth, leather pouch, etc)
Nothing was more entertaining than walking down the strip having all these hot women checking me out and all the cowboys giving me looks that begged to make a comment, but they don't dare risk getting their asses handed to them by a 6'6 250 pound guy in a skirt.. ;)
Once we got to the club, it was Absolutely the right choice.. -
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Sat, December 24, 2005 - 9:11 PM"Nothing was more entertaining than walking down the strip having all these hot women checking me out and all the cowboys giving me looks that begged to make a comment, but they don't dare risk getting their asses handed to them by a 6'6 250 pound guy in a skirt.. ;)"
Och, you're me : ). Apparently the smacktards here in San Diego know that one BIG guy can be brought down by four little guys.
Sas
6'6"-250lbs-as mean as the situation requires : )
You should have seen me at Rocky Horror. Add makeup to the guy you screwed with who's now handing you your hat...
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Re: Response to kilt wearing
Wed, January 16, 2008 - 6:50 PMWhen I have to tell someone that it's not a skirt, it's a kilt, I often get "What's the difference?" I have two favorite replies for that. I have to put on my scottish faire accent, "You know while they call it a kilt? Because of how many men been kilt for callin' it a skirt!" Or, "Well, if yer' wearin' anything underneath it, it's a skirt, and yer' gay. (Pause and look into the ladies eyes) No, I'm not gay. NOT that there's anything wrong with that!" A couple of times I got, "Aren't you cold?" I tell them that you get used to it.
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