December 05, 2006
Gratuitous Domestic Posting (TM) - Scots Wha Hey! Division
Last Saturday we attended the baptism of a close family friend's baby at the National Cathedral. As is their usual custom for formal occasions, my Godfather and his son both appeared in full Highland rig.
The Llama-ettes found this to be hy-larious, the elder gels apparently asking Uncle if he had any undies on underneath. (Given his devotion to authenticity, that's not a question to which I'm sure I'd want to know the answer, much less have the gels find out. It strikes me that the concept of "nay trew" ought to be reserved for their more mature years. Like when they're about 35.)
Anyhoo, this costume is still the talk of the breakfast table several days later. And despite the repeated efforts of the Missus and myself to convince the gels that the proper word is "kilt," they insist on using the expression "man-skirt."
If ever I had toyed with the idea of a kilt in my own tartan, this pretty much tears it - the six year old was nearly doubled over this morning at the thought of "Daddy in a man-skirt - with no undies! Oh, ha ha ha!" I'm sure that my appearance in such rig would utterly destroy what little paterfamilias authority I manage to maintain.
Posted by Robert at December 5, 2006 09:56 AM | TrackBackMen are at their best in kilts. Among the many things a kilt highlights is man's superior ankle.
Posted by: Mrs. Peperium at December 5, 2006 10:48 AMMy girlies laughed at me in a kilt at first. My older daughter sort of likes it now. My younger daughter (the tomboy - who doesn't like skirts herself) still thinks it is pretty darned funny to see.
Posted by: The Maximum Leader at December 5, 2006 11:16 AMOn Leno some years ago Mel Gibson told the story of making the mistake of asking a grisled, old extra on Braveheart what he was wearing underneath his kilt.
After a couple of beats the geezer deadpanned,"Your wife's lipstick."
Harrison,
I wore my kilt to a friend's wedding a few years ago, and during photos, I was asked "The Question" by the photographer, and gave that same answer -- then remembered I was standing next to the officiating pastor.
Posted by: Boy Named Sous at December 5, 2006 12:26 PMI'm 1/4th Scottish. Does that mean I would get to wear a jockstrap underneath?
Posted by: rbj at December 5, 2006 03:18 PMI knew I liked your kids for some reason - man-skirt is hilarious!
Posted by: bobgirrl at December 5, 2006 04:02 PMI used to think the same thing, until I went to Scotland and in a shop window I saw a very fine full rig that happened to be in my namesake tartan. It was a few more years before I decided to actually rent one (for a friend's wedding). Now I have more than one, and wear them at least three or four times a year.
If you can take the man-skirt comments in stride (and trust me, there are very few new jibes) you can reap the benefits. Namely:
1) An instant conversation starter. Anyone new you meet at a party will ask honest questions and get the conversation started.
2) A great flirtation device. Name another mode of dress that will encourage ladies to come up to you and immediately think about the state of your undergarments. (Will generally work for the Mrs. as well.)
3) Brand recognition. On St. Andrew's Day (Nov. 30) and the university Christmas party, I am now expected to wear the kilt to work. An upside is that the administration, from president on down all know who I am, and applaude me for "keeping the faith." (The president and two VPs are part Scottish, and HR loves me for "my diversity.") You will also get your picture in every company newsletter or wedding album.
4) It's comfortable. Trust me, once you wear one, all the other reasons are more like rationalizations.
BTW, my favorite answer is still, "For $1 I'll tell you. For $5, I'll show you. For $20, I'll let you find out yourself!"
Posted by: Country Jim at December 5, 2006 08:46 PMCountry Jim,
That's similar to my favorite: "Good girls wonder. Bad girls ask. Real women find out for themselves."
Posted by: Boy Named Sous at December 5, 2006 09:15 PMDiscussions like these are why I love this blog!
Posted by: flagan at December 5, 2006 11:11 PMYou missed an opportunity, last Saturday was the annual Scottish Christmas Walk in Alexandria. Both of my sons were there in kilt.
Posted by: Mike at December 6, 2006 10:54 AM
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