Tricia,
My thoughts on whether I "pass" or not are identical to yours. I am confident that when out among the general public I pass 95% of the time. Having only started going out in public en femme in May 2022, I was unsure about whether I did or not but after befriending a number of more experienced CD's they all assured me that I did and I should not be concerned in the least. As far as face to face interactions, if it involves only exchanging a few words with someone such as saying "thank you" to a cashier or asking a SA a quick question, I pass less often but still the majority of the time. In more involved conversations, most of the time I am clocked but not every time.
For example: I was eating alone in a restaurant with a middle aged husband/wife sitting next to me and another couple (male & female friends) I thought were in their 50's were sitting near me. As the wife in couple #1 got up to leave, she complimented me on my blouse and liked how the color blended with my look. We talked blouses for a minute or two then they left. As I got up to leave, I walked over to couple #2 and told the woman (who was extremely attractive) that I loved her beautiful blond hair. She laughed and then placed her hand on my forearm (as women sometimes do when talking with another woman), thanked me and agreed it looked good even though she was in her 60's. I told her she looked much younger and not to feel bad because I was a good bit older than her. She said "no way" and complimented my looks, still holding my arm. We were two women just having a little gabfest. I turned to her male friend and told him how lucky he was to now have two attractive women at his table. He agreed and we all wished each other well as I left. Of course I have no idea what any of these people thought or said to each other later on but I am 99% sure that I was just another woman to them. I was on cloud 9 for a long time after that night and my confidence level shot way up.
And being clocked, whether in passing or in conversation, does not bother me in the least. I am very comfortable being me and someone's reaction is not going to change that.
Fiona
