People Don't Seem to Notice

[Meghan]

We have been conducting a social experiment for the last two months.

We started by shaving my legs over the July 4th holiday. They have been that way since then, except a week when I had some serious razor bumps so I waited a week between shaves.

After seeing no measurable effect from the outside world, even though I wear shorts everywhere, I decided it would ratchet it up a little.

For the better part of the last two weeks I have been freely displaying my manicured, clear polished and significantly longer than your average "male" fingernails to everyone I encounter.

So far, I have had one notice, and that was from someone I have worked closely with for 8 years. Even he didn't seem to care that I indeed do shave my legs.

My kids see me every day and don't either notice or care, and my wife (luckily) loves it.

Why did I send so many bleeping years worrying about something that no one else seems to care much about?

I mean, for goodness sake, I have lived in south Florida for the majority of my life.

What was I so afraid of?

Meghan

[Mythic]

I find it fun when I spend so much time worrying about somthing an then others don't put in the time of day to care about it. Makes me laugh at myself an learn to relax a little.

[arbon]

Not a big enough deal to most people to mention they noticed it to you or to question you about, but a lot of times I think they are noticing. There was one night that was kinda funny earlier in the year when I was out with a group of women and the talked turned to a guy a couple of them had been noticing wearing a little bit of mascara (not me, I was already out livng as a woman outside of work - which was a pretty cool feeling at the time that I seemed to be considered one of the girls) - but it made clear to me that people do notice the little things like that, and they may gossip a bit about it to. But overall it is not very important to them.

[sandra-leigh]

Apparently when I wore (lighter) nail polish to work, and acrylic nails, some people did notice -- but it was many months before anyone mentioned anything to me, and that was in the context of discussing my being TG.

[Alice B]

I now keep my entire body shaved and nails are also laquered. No one has ever said anything and I wear shorts all the time.

[ArleneRaquel]

Alice,
Via your profile page pic, your legs are a great asset.

[suzy1]

When I started shaving all my body including my arms my sons didn’t notice. My friends didn’t notice. No one at work noticed.

My daughter noticed immediately!!!!:eek:

[Joanne f]

I have only ever had two comments from people about my nails , one was along time ago from a checkout woman (not going to call her a lady as i know her) and that was "Why are you wearing pink nail varnish" , I just said ," Because i like it", the other one was from another young cashier who said " Nice nails "( they were translucent purple then) ,I just said " Thank you" , but just like Suzy my daughter will notice straight away and say " why have you got that on " she is worried about her friends making fun of her , no one has ever made a comment about my hairless arms and they are looked at and handled weekly not even when a nurse found a hair and i made the comment " How did that one escape " lol, so i would not worry to much about it if i was you .

[Cheryl T]

Many will notice those things but few will have the confidence to say anything or question you on it. They feel too insecure to ask...which is just fine by me since I'm not that insecure to wear that polish or show off my smooth legs.

[Beverley Sims]

South Florida, the home of eternal summer and no ski fields. :)
People do not notice my hairless legs and longish nails are commented on now and then.
"Gee you need to cut your nails."

[felicityefeminata]

South Florida is a very accepting place. I've shaved my legs and arms for the past year and no one notices...even when we are at the pool. I've taken to getting pedicures regularly and have a transparent pink polish on them...again...no one even notices...
La Bella Vita

[Cynthia Anne]

I aso think a lot of people notice but they don't say anything to you because it's not a big deal to them!

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi Meghan, Most people are so wraped up in their own little world and couldn't care less.

[Kate Simmons]

The social climate has changed in recent years due to economic collapse and loss of their previous status by many. Fewer people to look "down" on us basically.:)

[Erica2Sweet]

...Why did I send so many bleeping years worrying about something that no one else seems to care much about?

I mean, for goodness sake, I have lived in south Florida for the majority of my life.

What was I so afraid of?

Meghan

This has been my experience as well. Right now, I'm wearing dark red nail polish, and I don't seem to get any negative feedback in public. People just really don't care.

The public's lack of attention to what is going on around them is good for those of us who want to express some elements of our feminine side and not be ostracized, but not so good considering 9/11 and the fact that there are bad people out there planning bad things in public settings. I speak to people regarding disaster preparedness on a regular basis, and conversations I've had with first responders confirm that the public is not tuned in to what's going on around us.

[laurieg]

If i;m sitting down nobody notices when i;m walking around most people notice me because of my height 6' 8' bare feet

[Wildaboutheels]

Don't notice.

OR...don't care.

Or both?

Makes no difference whatsoever. I call it ACCEPTANCE.

Also, I may as well throw in, I personally have never been "harmed" by what anyone was THINKING either, although I can't speak for anyone else. Of course, there are some folks here who believe they can read minds, so maybe they would be hurt?

[Tina B.]

Long lacquered nails, my son once asked about them, told him because of meds I'm on they always split to the quick, which is true. No more said. Once at a check out line, the guy behind be was asking me about an Orchid I was buying, we got to talking and he noticed my nails, asked if I played guitar, I said no, we went back to talking plants.
Tina B.

[Jennifer in CO]

the reasons people don't notice and people don't care are true, but I think a 3rd inclusion is people aren't expecting a "guy" to be wearing nail polish, shaved legs/arms, a bra, etc so they aren't looking for the cues to think anything is different. Plus, if your not trying to 'hide' something and acting like nothing is wrong, then they also don't pickup the cue hence even less likely to notice/say anything. I was standing in line at a fast food establishment some years ago. I was wearing a blouse/slacks etc - my usual fair. The lady standing behind the counter taking my order while we're talking simply reaches up to her collar and feels her buttons and we continue to talk. No change in her countenance/demeanor, but I knew that she knew...

Jenn

[DeniseNJ]

I know what you mean.. I have yet to push the boundries of shaving all summer long but I have made many trip to the Casinos with womens jeans in womans sandles with different color polished on my toes . I have been everythere to well lit hall ways to the casino floor to buffets and no strange looks. I did have a bunch of drunk guys snicker once and laugh as I was walking towards then with a deep purple color on I have worn bright red,pink,violet I have yet to wear that real bright almost floresent pink cany polish out. I am wearing Mascrea alot more with some hint of I lid color in guy mode and still no one maks any comments , it is they are affraid to say anything or the actually don't care or actually don't notice. To me how can't you mis a 6' guy wearing womens sandles with a bright color polish on his toes ????

[Alicew]

Begining to actually believe poeple who say no one really looks or notices things and its mostly self projected fears, i guilty of projecting just about any thing on to anyone just from a quick glance i feel busted but it hasnt happened yet really .
Had comment st family and friends bbq when i first shaved my legs 12+ months ago not a peep since ,never had a comment about shaped eyebrows and they really are different very bushy normally,grom my arms down to 1mm not a word and its really noticable im the wolfman usually,all little baby steps on my journey to me and im terrified each one that ill get read,think im risking it more and more now i started underdressing my forms only my little b/c cups when im out walking my dog i was scared but now i think on it im not totally bothered if i get read weird isnt it.

[Tracii G]

My whole TG ism seems to be a test or an experiment for me.
Since 2007 I have pushed the boundaries in one way or an other.
Shaving my arms and legs, wearing what are obviously womens clothes/casual shoes.Jewelery that is obviously for women.
I started wearing my butt and hip pad girdle every day a couple of years ago and I figured that was going too over the top but no my friends figured the fact I had lost weight maybe some stayed on my hips and butt IDK.Obviously have a more femme figure than a male figure.
My close friends I'm sure have noticed but have not said anything.If they were to ask I would tell them about me but I am leaving it up to them.
I have found the general public oblivious to me while out shopping and doing daily stuff out and about.

[Crissy Kay]

I was worried too about anyone seeing my trimed/shaved legs this past summer. Like the other posters have stated, no seemed to notice. I was pretty happy about that!!

[Gillian Gigs]

The only one that ever seems to notice anything, is my wife, and daughter. The wife knows and accepts, so I have to be careful around the daughter. Continue to observe, and you will see how many men have rather hair less, or have very little hair on their legs and arms. Some are just lucky that way. Women are better observers than men I find. If it isn't a car, gun, fishing rod, and a sports game, men notice nothing!

[I Am Paula]

We live in a time that it's perfectly OK to tatoo your face, wear coaster size ear piercings, and purple hair on boys or girls. Why on earth would anybody notice, or care, that you shave, paint, or decorate your body in so-called female adornments?
Like tracii G, I mix and match male and female daily. I wear all women's clothes, painted nails and shaved legs. Pretty much the only combo I don't do, is wearing a dress while presenting male. Sometimes, just for the hell of it, I'll go out in mostly male mode, but with boobs. Then people notice!!! Still, no one has ever said squat.

[Megan Briana]

South Florida is a very accepting place. I've shaved my legs and arms for the past year and no one notices...even when we are at the pool. I've taken to getting pedicures regularly and have a transparent pink polish on them...again...no one even notices...
La Bella Vita
Living is SW Florida, I know what you mean. I have been shaving my chest and wearing clear nail polish for a few months. The only person who noticed anything strange about me was my niece while we were at a family pool party. SHe asked if I shave my tummy and remarked how clean and shiny my nails look. I wanted to pick her brain for some beauty questions, but I did not want her parents to flip out or anything.

I think I might try wearing some light eyeshadow and see if anyone notices.

[Meghan]

The only one that ever seems to notice anything, is my wife, and daughter. The wife knows and accepts, so I have to be careful around the daughter. Continue to observe, and you will see how many men have rather hair less, or have very little hair on their legs and arms. Some are just lucky that way. Women are better observers than men I find. If it isn't a car, gun, fishing rod, and a sports game, men notice nothing!

Thanks for all of the very interesting replies.

Gillian (and there are a few who have said the same thing), I think you are 100% correct, women and girls are totally tuned into what's happening.

I remember being in my early 20's, shopping at a Claires in a mall, and a pack of teenage girls clocked me. They thought the whole thing was hilarious. It made me nervous and scared, etc, for a while, but now I look back and kind of laugh too.

Both of my children are sons, so I am lucky there. My youngest is in the middle teens, and he can tell something is "different", but he attributes that to me wearing shorter shorts than he does. Interesting.

I hate to say it's a competition thing, but it might be. G-Girls, in my experience, seem to constantly be evaluating each other (even if this is a subconscious process), what they are wearing, does it look good etc.

All of my friends (with one exception) are women. The people within that sphere, the people whom I choose to spend time with, are part of a larger community down here and more than a few are either trans-gendered or have a partner who is. They do notice, but I want them too.

I went to a party this weekend with girl shorts, sparkly nails and red toes :)

Within this group, we don't even really discuss "meaning", our conversation tend to be about how to maximize the benefit of it all.

Here's a sensitive one, but here it goes anyway.

My breasts are getting bigger relative to my body, probably through a combination of targeted exercise and lots of physical stimulation. It could be diet related too. Just had a checkup and I am perfectly healthy, my doctor is not concerned. But it is happening.

I hadn't thought about it much until this weekend when I looked in the mirror (naked) and noticed them really starting to pop out.

Without derailing the thread too much, I asked my wife and her response was "yeah, I've noticed". We're both believers of quantum physics, so her thought was that it's possible that now that my brain and body are closer to ideal state it's triggering physical changes that manifest in secondary female characteristics popping up.

I don't know if any of these reasons are responsible, but regardless of why - it is.

If's she's noticing I am going to encounter someone soon, out in nature, who notices too. I am not worried at all about it, either. In fact, I am looking forward to having that discussion.

Meghan

[Jorja]

As mentioned earlier, people are so wrapped up in their own lives and problems that they either don't notice or don't care about yours. I would agree that soon someone will take notice that your breast are growing. As long as you are ok with that and are willing to explain it, then there is no problem. Have fun with it and enjoy. Life is too short not to.

[Lady Catherine]

I just shaved my arms and legs today for the first time. I really don't know if I care if anyone notices or not. We will see. If it happens or not, I deal with it. I think people will notice, but just not care enough to say. I had my nail longer for awhile and the only one who said anything was my SO. She was worried others would notice, so I gave in and cut them. Really all we can do is what we feel is right for us and live with the results.

[Stephanie47]

People notice a lot of things and just do not say anything. Others notice and they turn into having a case of vocal diarrhea. I have never shaved my legs, but, two years ago my daughter asked me if I did. O said no, why? After thirty plus years on this earth she finally noticed I do not have hair follicles on the back of my legs, calves or thighs. My wife runs off with her mouth all the times. If she notices something, she has to tell me about it, especially if it concerns women. I may notice, but, I just file it away. And, any man going to work and showing up with any feminine nail care is going to be noticed by the women. You just can't get into their bathroom and listen to the chatter.

[Paulette]

Daughters notice everything. Shaved legs for over 9 years, well groomed eye brows (plucked, waxed, threaded), arm hair trimmed real short, hand and foot hair removed permanently, pedicures (love them) all under the guise of being well groomed. A few time I got little carried away with the brows and they got real femme but other than than no problems. Getting beard removed to deal with in grown hairs.

[Tracii G]

My lady neighbor saw me out cutting my lawn in short cut off jeans, whistled then said "nice legs sweetie".
I said thanks, she came over as I was adding gas to the mower she asked if I shaved my legs I sad yes if it gets me whistled at why not?

[darylinb]

I've been shaving my legs, underarms, arms and chest for many years. No one has said anything. I go to the gym and have noticed the jocks shave too so I guess it's more acceptable these days. I'd love to have laser on my face, maybe someday. My wife will usually tell me about something I shouldn't be wearing, depending on where we're headed. She doesn't want me being too fem in public at certain places so I change into something a little less fem but I still usually wear ladies shorts and jeans, sometimes tops if they're not too fem.

[darylinb]

Larger breasts, even a little growth would be great, I think. If you see a man with moobs, you would never think to go up and say "hay, you have tits". If you don't want them seen at times, just wear a loose fitting top or give them to me, I'd take them in a heart-beat, LOL...

[Tasha McIntyre]

I shaved my legs for the first time about 4 months ago, oddly enough for non CD reasons. Being in the sub tropics, shorts are the norm for most of the year so my legs are on show a lot.

My wife, who is usually very conscious of anything femme about me in male mode, didn't notice for several days, and even then it was an off the cuff "it looks like you shaved your legs".

My 20yo daughter who does not know I CD, on the other hand noticed straight away.

Tash :)

[IngeInCO]

Yup! No one cares even if they notice. I've been wearing women's shorts along with my shaven legs... Nobody really cares

[IngeInCO]

Yup! No one cares even if they notice. I've been wearing women's shorts along with my shaven legs... Nobody really cares

Oh yeah and women's flip flops

[5150 Girl]

I say the I-phone is the TG commity's best frind... Why? Because people don't notice anything that isn't on that little screne.

[Meghan]

Yup! No one cares even if they notice. I've been wearing women's shorts along with my shaven legs... Nobody really cares

Me too! I wear shorts everywhere and I haven't seen so much as a second look down.

Before "going all the way" and shaving my legs, I had kept my chest shaved for over five years and no one had EVER said anything about it.

I believe we also have a bias that we think the world thinks about crossdressing as much as we do (in general), ergo someone will immediately notice if I leave the house with shaved legs and super short shiny gym shorts.

Chances are:

1. They won't notice because who really is even checking for that

2. If they notice they won't care

3. If they care it might puzzle them, and have to figure out why. I don't think people immediately go to "oh, a crossdresser"!

If they get from there to crossdresser, that's a lot of mental effort for no reward. The human brain isn't designed for that type of feedback loop. In reality, it's not even on the checklist for most regular people even through it's on the top of ours!

I notice every man I encounter with shaved legs.

Meghan

[JamieQ]

We had a guy nursing student who shaved most everyting. He was into body building or something. I had no idea until someone pointed it out.