How do people react to you on the street?

[Leslie Langford]

Mostly A and occasionally B, and I have yet to experience an uncomfortable encounter with either a stranger or a female SA when I am out shopping as "Leslie".

I would even go so far as to say that those SA's in women's clothing stores who do "read" me - rather than being taken aback by the realization - actually seem to go out of their way at that point to be especially attentive to make my shopping experience with them a pleasant one. And they usually set me up in a fitting room before I even have a chance to ask.

Whether that is a manifestation of some latent protective/nurturing instinct that comes to the surface at that point, or else an unspoken admiration for the effort I have made to perfect my female presentation without appearing like a bad parody of a woman - it's hard to say. Then again, maybe they just see me as an older, better dressed (read "feminine"), and more sophisticated woman than the average mall shopper, and one who looks as if she knows what she wants and is willing to pay accordingly. And for them, that can potentially translate into a good sale and an even better commission if they play their cards right. In the end, it doesn't really matter. I get great service, and they get an easy sale without the grief some GG's will put them through (demanding, difficult to please - the proverbial "bridezillas" ), and everybody wins.

And as for the looks that I get from the GG's that I pass on the street or in the malls - when I first went out in public en femme and had women give me those long, analytical looks they tend to, I used to get paranoid and expected to be "outed" at any moment. Now I'm not so sure, and I think that instead of (or perhaps, despite) being "read" - those looks probably have more to do with analyzing what I am wearing and mentally critiquing the overall "look" that I am aiming for, while subconsciously comparing it to whatever they happen to be wearing at that moment. In other words - simply an example of the old adage that women don't actually dress attractively to impress men, but rather to impress other women .

[t-girlxsophie]

I have to say some A,but to be honest mostly B and C though if ppl stare etc Your in their mind for a second then they are gone,hardly worth your time worrying.Have had my fair share of D,theres always that moronic element of society out there sadly Ended up in hospital one time suppose that was an X

But recently on my latest trip out,I dont know if it was my new found positive,confident attitude,but I managed straight A,mind you dunno wat was going on behind me,could have done with a rear view mirror

[RachelPortugal]

B occasionally wavering into A and C.

Rachael

[Alicia.80]

I'd say 60% of the time it's C, 25% of the time it's D, 10% of the time it's B, and 5% A.

[gabimartini]

Browsing the replies, I'd say there is a lot more acceptance out there than we seem to realize. If we are assertive and project that energy while en femme, we are going to get that in return, most of the time.

Also, most people are not paying that much attention anyway. They will analyze you for a nanosecond and classify, "boy", "girl", "boy in a dress", "girl with tie", etc. Of course, there's always going to be narrow-minded people, but they will frown at every stereotype on the book, not only CDers.

Thanks to those who have replied so far!

[amandag]

I have been rated in the 'C' and sometimes a "B". I have been outed and talked about in hearing distance of myself while walking thru clothing sections of large stores.

Amanda

[Diana L]

I think the response of others is mostly in the A and B range. I have learned that if I act as a lady and treat others with kindness and respect they treat me the same way. As far as being read in public, I quit worrying about that years ago. I am my own person and have the right to express my feminine side if I want.

Diana

[Farrah]

Unfortunately C for me...

[tamarav]

[SIZE=4]Most people don't want to think of themselves as being "uncool" or have others think that way, so I think A is the typical answer for me. "Yeah, I've seen it all and I don't react to anything anymore" kind of thinking.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=4][/SIZE]
[SIZE=4]However, I still get a lot of "R" and "Hmmm" looks and a lot of lusty smiles, not sure what letter that falls under. I know R doesn't exist in your scale, but it needs to be added with a lot more.[/SIZE]

[Rianna Humble]

I replied to a post today, and it got me thinking, so I'd like to open it up for discussion. When you go out, how do people react to you? I mean total strangers, general folks in malls, grocery stores, restaurants, etc.

A. NO REACTION: people don't give you a second look, either because they think you are a GG, or because they don't care.

B. COURTESY: people may spot you as a T-girl, but they still treat you well, according to your presentation.

C. TOLERANCE: people see a man in a dress, you get a few odd stares, there may be discomfort in the air, but most are still ok.

D. REJECTION: people are plain rude and discriminatory to you because of your presentation.

There's no right or wrong answer. This is not intended to measure anyone's ability to pass. I'm more interested in gauging society's most frequent reactions towards us when we go out en femme. In my limited experience, I've seen reactions A and B.

What's your story? Please share!

First up, no-one perceives me as a GG - I've a lot more work to do before I can get that far. That said, I would say that I've had about 90% A & B (don't care) both at work and in shops, restaurants or hotels, 8% C (especially early on) and less than 2% D - a few eejits who think it's funny to make a comment like "That is a bloke in a dress isn't it?".


I have a couple of hotels where I like to stay because they are really friendly even though they know me by my old name but have mainly only seen me dressed. One of the hotels even let me use the facilities to change into drab for work when I wasn't booked in.

The shop where I bought my wig, must know I'm a T-Girl, but they are so helpful and nice.

I think the salon where I go for my mani / pedi / eyebrows & fake tan initially classed me as a "man in a dress" because that's what I told them I was, but now they see me more as one of the girls.

Even towards the start when I was definitely seen as a man in a dress (or skirt & top) I got some nice compliments from GGs who spoke to me about my nails & such. About my third time travelling to work dressed, a GG said she admired me for having the courage to go out dressed how I wanted to be.

[Chickhe]

A to B. Some C's and many times it depends on my attitude. If I smile people usually smile back. The thing that gets me, most of the time anyone has asked for my ID, they are surprised when they see that I am male...I don't think I often pass, but you never know what people are thinking.

I've had nice smiles from woman, men...most people don't react at all. Some who did read me talked to me and were friendly. I think most other people just don't know what to say or do so unless you initiate conversation. I've also had whistles and the like, but no more than a woman would get...do they really have to deal with that crap every day?

...but what I am learning, is it doesn't really matter what people think, just as long as I can find a way to enjoy it. There is some thrill in knowing you just added some excitement to someone's otherwise boring existence.