Yeah, its kind of funny -- a lot of my kayaker buddies have to reassure themselves by going around saying "real men wear skirts" and stuff like that. I recommend that you start on an educational effort for us North Americans by saying things like "my deck seems like its shrinking with age" or "My deck's kind of itchy, how's yours?" or maybe "don't you hate it when you put your deck away wet and then it really stinks the next time you pull it out?"
If you're fortunate, one day you'll be secure enough to row a real boat on a hot summer day wearing a nice, comfortable sarong and not be hung up about it!
Cheers,
--Andy