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<P>GLASGOW, Scotland, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- The European Union has learned a hasty
lesson when it comes to kilts -- Scottish men won't tolerate them being called
ladies' skirts.</P>
<P>The issue flared up when Eurostat, an EU agency charged with tracking trade
statistics among member countries advised a kilt manufacturer to classify
their wares as women's skirts, the London Telegraph reported.</P>
<P>Scottish actor Sean Connery was among the first to raise a hue and cry over
the designation. He told the Daily Record newspaper in Glasgow: "If this is
the case, I have been wearing a woman's skirt for more than 45 years now. It
is certainly not women's wear."</P>
<P>Adding insult to injury, kilt makers were also warned they faced a $1,700
fine if they failed to complete the documents, designed to collate information
on business trends in the EU.</P>
<P>Scotland's Prime Minister Jack McConnell entered the fray, angrily
demanding Eurostat change the reporting form.</P>
<P>Without argument, the agency agreed Monday to make the addition of kilts as
a separate form of dress -- er, apparel.</P><BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>