Did my little bit for the cause

[Nikki A.]

This weekend my group had it's Christmas Party. Earlier this week I had a mani/pedi in a store that I had never been to but does have a great deal ( Mon- Wed mani & pedi for $20) in drab. Did my toes in a dark red but my hands in just clear since I had to work Thurs, Fri & part of Saturday.
Anyway, after getting dressed and feeling that I got everything looking good, I tried doing my own nails. I wasn't doing too well so I decided to just head down there and let the pros do it.
Well I walked in, asked the owner if I could get my nails colored like we spoke about. It took her a few seconds to realize who I was, she smiled and said I looked great. Now it is only her and two other girls working there. While the other girl did my nails (much better than I ever could) I was peppered with all types of questions. Why , are you gay, experiences being out, what bathroom do you use dressed etc. It seems I was the first one that ever came in dressed. I was complemented on how well I did my make up, we discussed diffent mascaras and other things. I assured them I probablly wasn't the first CD they've worked on & that there are quite a few of us in the area.
Anyway, after about a half hour I was finally ready to go. I hope that I changed some ideas and I think I enlightened them some. After I paid, I kidded the owner if I was still welcomed there. She said of course any way you want to come.
So I feel I did us some good and another business that may be more welcoming to us.

[sissystephanie]

Nikki, I bet it felt really good to chat with the techs while getting your nails done. I have been getting my nails, both fingers and toes, done every 2 weeks for several years now. The salon I go to now is all Vietnamese girls, and they all know me! However, I always have the same 2 girls do my nails because I like the way they do them. I go in the salon sometimes dressed enfemme, but no wig and no makeup! And sometimes I do go dressed in drab! The techs prefer to see me dressed enfemme, especially if I am wearing a skirt or dress!! They love the clothes I wear and know that I am not "gay" at all!! BTW, I was married for almost 50 years to a wonderful lady who knew that I was a CD when we married! Cancer finally took her several years ago. Oh yes, I always wear pale pink on my fingers! I am an insurance agent and want people to watch my hands I am making a presentation! My late wife taught me to use nail polish to handle that little problem!

[Nikki A.]

I've had manis & pedis before but this was a local store and the first time I've been to one alone. Believe it or not, not one was vietnamese, owner Oriental, and the one tech was latin and and the other was white. The Latin girl was quiet (language issue) and the other two were the questioners. I was the only customer in there for most of the time and we were all pretty open and candid. Plus they did a very nice job, definately one that I'll be going back to again.

[S. Lisa Smith]

That is sooo cool!! I go out en femme a fair bit, but I've never had my nails done. I really want to !!!

[Kimberly Long]

It is so wonderful to have someone do your nails and peti. I go about every 3 weeks to have my nails back filled. Everyone at the salon knows me having been so many times, it is like going in to talk to the girls. This is the wonderful side of life.
Love Kimberly

[Nikki A.]

Kim, I hope it turns into a similar situation too. no matter how I'm dressed. I've had pedis before, but this place was definately the best one I've been to.
Lisa, if you haven't tried it go for it, the leg massage and massage chair is worth it in itself, plus they trim your nails and smooth them better than you ever will. Drab or dressed it just feels so good.

[Rachel Morley]

Way to go NiKki! :) Believe it or not, I've never had my nails done en femme (yet) but, given the opportunity, I do try to answer people's questions about "why?" ... and sometimes even volunteer information if I can see the person seem curious but isn't really asking outright. I tell people about the TG spectrum but mostly I focus on how it is for me. To keep things simple when talking about myself, I borrow sound bites from Eddie Izzard .. no, not "executive transvestite", but "male tomboy" I like doing stuff that's considered "something girls' typically do" :) Anyway, thanks for helping to share and pass the knowledge. The more people see us and learn about us, especially that we are harmless, the better.

[Marleena]

Thanks for helping the cause Nikki! That salon will now know we are cool.:)

[Barbara Ella]

WOOT WOOT. Way to spread the word. The more willing we are to talk, not an easy thing to do at all, the more people will be knowledgeable about who we really are and hope to be across the entire spectrum. Have never had my nails done, but know where I am going, now just to get there ---story of the life of a CD, I suppose. Thanks for sharing and making such an exceptional contribution.

Babes