So I was driving to Sephora yesterday to get some more make-up. I had a little bit of make-up on, a slightly femme blouse, necklace, pants, and femme shoes. Even when I try I don't look very femme but I really don't care. At a traffic light some guy at least 10 years older than me - and I'm old - is looking at me and he rolls down his window, so I roll down mine. Why? Because I didn't even think about the fact that I was going for a female look. Which apparently I did not achieve. Because he asks me:
"Are you really a Vietnam veteran?"
OK, let me explain. I made a bumper sticker for my Jeep that says "Vietnam Vet for Obama." And I'm not trying to be political here, just telling the story. But that's not all. I also have on the sticker images of my medals from Vietnam. And since someone is going to ask, they are: Vietnam Service Medal, Commendation Medal for Valor, Air Medal, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantryman Badge. It didn't occur to me that someone would chat me up while I'm trying to get the girl look going.
So I replied "Yes."
And he says: Where were you?"
I reply "1st Cavalry Division."
He asks "Where in Vietnam?"
And I say "Central Highlands."
He nods his head, gives me the thumbs up and goes on his merry way.
It was only afterwards that I wondered if it even registered on him that I did not look like a typical Vietnam vet. But I'm getting to the point that it really doesn't bother me what people think. And the sales associates at Sephora love it when I come in because I am open and honest about what I do. I don't do it very well, and I am not as open as I would like to be to the rest of the world, but those stores that listen to me and treat me with respect and understanding get my repeat business.
The moral of this story is this: if you want to be in stealth mode then scrub your car of anything that might bring you unwanted attention. But if you are OK with someone talking to you while you are en femme and in your car, then be prepared for that when anything on your vehicle might unintentionally invite a conversation from a stranger or an acquaintance.