Mailman longs to wear kilt on the job

by Rob Peters | August 7, 2008 at 02:54 pm

1106 views | 2 Recommendations | 13 comments

A 6-foot-tall, 250-pound mailman is lobbying to wear a kilt on the job, but so far with little success. The National Letter Carriers' Association rejected his idea in July despite impassioned claims of chafing, scarring, and genital constriction.

Obviously this is a clearcut case of unbifurcation discrimination:

"Unbifurcated Garments are far more comfortable and suitable to male anatomy than trousers or shorts because they don't confine the legs or cramp the male genitals the way that trousers or shorts do," he wrote. "Please open your hearts - and inseams - for an option in mail carrier comfort!"

The union's executive committee recommended disapproval, saying there was not enough demand for kilts to be worth the bother of the resolution, and delegates agreed by a large margin.

But Peterson said there are plenty of approved uniform items that very few mail carriers wear, including a cardigan sweater, vest and pith helmet. He said many convention delegates did express support after his resolution was voted down.

Peterson knows convincing management will be an uphill struggle, but has no plans to skirt the issue.

With his build, Peterson says his thighs fill slacks to capacity, causing chafing and scarring.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

World_Groove

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 14:57 on August 7th, 2008

As a wearer and seller of Kilts .........Keep up the fight!!

Amy Judd

at 15:24 on August 7th, 2008

I don't see why he shouldn't. I imagine that sometimes it will be much more comfortable for him to wear a kilt, especially if it is hot. I just find it puzzling that he is not Scottish, but I guess that's ok too.

World_Groove

at 15:45 on August 7th, 2008

I'll gladly design a U.S. Postal service Tartan !!!

Dean Peterson...just give me a buz !

Emilio Lizardo

at 18:07 on August 7th, 2008

If life were logical, men would ride side-saddle ...

World_Groove

at 18:14 on August 7th, 2008

Having Horses......I AGREE

PEP

at 21:19 on August 7th, 2008

My postman has long, long, long strawberry-blonde dreadlocks.

pipeband

at 03:13 on August 8th, 2008

pipeband has contributed a photo to this story.

Melissa Richards

at 03:23 on August 8th, 2008

Real men wear kilts!

Melissa Richards has contributed a photo to this story.

pipeband

at 03:24 on August 8th, 2008

Love to see men in kilts - take a look at this fabulous band 'Red Hot Chilli Pipers' with 'Culter Pipe Band' playing in Spain on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZH3j1X2A8Lk to see how handsome they all are. Only warning for a postie is - BEWARE OF THE DOG!

jzbassguitar

at 04:21 on August 8th, 2008

This lovely lass was sporting a wool kilt, leather corset and knee-high leather boots - in the 95 plus degree Texas summer! So I'm thinking this lady and the lobbying mailman may know something about comfort, that the rest of the kilt fearing Texans can't imagine - or maybe we can!

jzbassguitar has contributed a photo to this story.

sarahmonster

at 06:55 on August 8th, 2008

A uniform is a uniform- like it or not you dont get to pick what that uniform is no matter who you work for. Want to wear a kilt to work? Become your own boss. When you take on a job you generally have a good idea of what you'll be expected to wear. Its fair enough that this man would like to be comfortable, but perhaps he should be lobbying for alternate materials and sizes for things already approved of by the postal service. Sorry to sound harsh, but weight loss might help the chaffing and scarring. I think there are other solutions to this guy's problem other than wearing a man-skirt.

Ranger Christopher

at 14:07 on August 8th, 2008

I support trying to add the kilt as a uniform component for any service, postal carriers or others. There are over 25 million people who are of Scottish heritage in the United States, and a high proportion in Canada. Just look at the name of one of the Canadian provinces, Nova Scotia means "New Scotland" in Latin. Scottish heritage has had a huge impact on North America. Why not celebrate the tradition and culture of a proud and influential people such as the Scottish? Oh yes, Irish, Welsh, and some other Gaelic cultures also embrace the kilt, so add a few million more to the earlier mentioned number. It would not be difficult to establish a postal carrier tartan (tartan is the name for a specific plaid pattern used and registered in Scotland), or use one of the thousands of existing tartans. As for the argument that you can not change a uniform, thats just silly. I worked in uniform for years and was able to make some changes to reflect practicality, tradition, and comfort. Our military does not still wear royal blue wool waist coats with gold buttons, hats with feathers, and white tights into the battlefield, so a change in uniforms is expected and part of modernization. Long live the kilt!

Ranger Christopher has contributed a photo to this story.