A CLUe
I found out today that apparently “a few people said something” about me wearing a kilt on Friday, April 6th…you know National Tartan Day. I find it amusing that an institution that prides itself on knowledge and is opening up a science studio based on Cultures within the next few years would have people who would not only be so closed minded, but would actually walk past my desk to complain rather than ask me directly.
I wasn’t flaunting the fact I was wearing my kilt. I was simply wearing my kilt. I wasn’t making lewd comments or alluding to what may or may not be worn underneath it or anything of the sort. In fact the one person that asked if I was wearing it “properly” was a friend of mine and she was simply told, “No, I wore what my wife let me.” Even that was said in private conversation away from everyone else. I wasn’t wandering the halls or anything, I sat at my desk, same as I always do and only moved when I had to get something from the copy room, had to use the bathroom, and when I went to lunch. Same as always. I work at a desk…with a closed front, it’s not like I’m working with tools or food that would pose a health or safety hazard.
I showed my Scottish Heritage on a day reserved for just that purpose. If someone who was Jewish wore a Yamulka during Passover, or if someone who identifies themselves as African-American wore a Dashiki during Black History Month no one would say a word to anyone. I’m sure the ACLU would love to hear about something like that.
Don’t get me wrong, this is definitely a rant and the mood will pass. For the most part anyone I passed either had stories of kilt wearing friends, were amused that I would do it or generally just took it for what it was. As far as customers go I had one little girl (probably about 13 or 14 I would guess) ask me politely if she could take my picture while I was downstairs on lunch to which I obliged. I realize that it is only a select few who choose to remain anonymous and not the majority of the people I work with.
As I have an idea of who complained, I’m a little confused. If they were to take the “it’s distracting” argument then all I have to say is it is no more distracting than the girl with the platinum bleached hair with half her head shaved who wears the low cut shirts so that the light catches her sternum piercing, the girl who has to wear long sleeves to cover her sleeve tattoos, or the local Ace Ventura spoof wandering the halls in a gaudy Hawaiian shirt.
The motto here is: “Inspiring curiosity through exploration.” Yet rather than allow people to explore who they are, they snark and comment in hushed whispers. Maybe instead of complaining or mentioning that I wore my kilt they could’ve asked why I wore my kilt, and could have learned something.
I wasn’t flaunting the fact I was wearing my kilt. I was simply wearing my kilt. I wasn’t making lewd comments or alluding to what may or may not be worn underneath it or anything of the sort. In fact the one person that asked if I was wearing it “properly” was a friend of mine and she was simply told, “No, I wore what my wife let me.” Even that was said in private conversation away from everyone else. I wasn’t wandering the halls or anything, I sat at my desk, same as I always do and only moved when I had to get something from the copy room, had to use the bathroom, and when I went to lunch. Same as always. I work at a desk…with a closed front, it’s not like I’m working with tools or food that would pose a health or safety hazard.
I showed my Scottish Heritage on a day reserved for just that purpose. If someone who was Jewish wore a Yamulka during Passover, or if someone who identifies themselves as African-American wore a Dashiki during Black History Month no one would say a word to anyone. I’m sure the ACLU would love to hear about something like that.
Don’t get me wrong, this is definitely a rant and the mood will pass. For the most part anyone I passed either had stories of kilt wearing friends, were amused that I would do it or generally just took it for what it was. As far as customers go I had one little girl (probably about 13 or 14 I would guess) ask me politely if she could take my picture while I was downstairs on lunch to which I obliged. I realize that it is only a select few who choose to remain anonymous and not the majority of the people I work with.
As I have an idea of who complained, I’m a little confused. If they were to take the “it’s distracting” argument then all I have to say is it is no more distracting than the girl with the platinum bleached hair with half her head shaved who wears the low cut shirts so that the light catches her sternum piercing, the girl who has to wear long sleeves to cover her sleeve tattoos, or the local Ace Ventura spoof wandering the halls in a gaudy Hawaiian shirt.
The motto here is: “Inspiring curiosity through exploration.” Yet rather than allow people to explore who they are, they snark and comment in hushed whispers. Maybe instead of complaining or mentioning that I wore my kilt they could’ve asked why I wore my kilt, and could have learned something.