How often do you clock another TS?

[whowhatwhen]

Just curious to see how often it happens.
I've seen a few but respectfully move on because holy crap if you're wrong you've just made someone's day turn to instacrap.

Also, do you think we're better at clocking each other than society in general?

[LeaP]

Not as often since moving south. Before that, my office building opened onto a mall in the city. Seeing trans people was frequent. Several per week on occasion. Only a couple in 18 months where I live now, apart from events and support groups.

Are we better? I don't know. I'm sure I miss the most passable. I think I'm quite good at nailing the borderline because I know the tells.

I would NEVER approach someone. Bad Ju-Ju whether right or wrong.

[STACY B]

Now an then ,, Not to- to much ,, But I get really excited when I do ,, There was one chic that worked at Mac close by ,, She was mean though ,, An another in Pre Transition who maybe didn't even know it yet at Ulta ,,lol,,,

They have a Jail Paper here that has all the people that have been arrested in certain county's that seem to have some in it from time to time . As bad as this sounds if you go to a Gender therapist then that might be the best way to meet some of your sisters ? HEY ,, Just saying ,, I am not saying stalk anyone ..lol.. But maybe it's a good place to eat your lunch in the parking lot ? Might meet a friend ,,lol,,, But not to many seen here ,, Then again I am half blind so there ya go !!

[Kaitlyn Michele]

Hardly ever.

A couple months ago i "clocked one" and i was wrong!! LOL... big hands, deep voice...looked like she had ffs...nope...

I would never ever approach a person BECAUSE i thought they were ts or tg. Never.

[whowhatwhen]

It's gonna be sad in the future when more GGs end up being clocked as trans and mistreated because they have slightly masculine features :(

[Rianna Humble]

Over here, another meaning of to clock someone is to hit them in the face. I wouldn't want to be arrested :heehee:

[PretzelGirl]

That is an alternate here too Rianna. Punch, clock, cold ****.....

I don't know. Sometimes I see someone and some feature makes me double take and that is when my mind starts processing because I am trying to figure out what caught my attention. Otherwise, I have somehow managed to not scan the crowd or examine anyone. I don't know why. Maybe because I am constantly at trans or LGBT events, having others around me that might have some type of tell is normalized for me. I certainly have ladies at work that have some of the same tells.

I certainly wouldn't tell anyone. Horrible by itself and another type of horrible if you are wrong. I went to an event in a large building last night and was early, so I went to the cafeteria. I had one of those moments with the double take with a lady at the adjacent table. The balding pattern was definitely male hormone produced. She looked wonderful though. I would have like to say hi as I was there for a trans-related event, but it just isn't right. She did end up at the same event, but that still doesn't make her trans or make it right to approach her.

[Alice_2014_B]

"Instacrap"!
I thought I was the only one that used that word, lol.

[arbon]

Its actually kinda sad that being identified as trans should be so offensive to both trans women and cis women. I get it, I get upset too, but still it is the implication that being trans or thought trans is bad and should not be acknowledged that leaves me uneasy. A lot of cis gender women would take it as the ultimate insult which is really messed up.

[whowhatwhen]

I think it may be something like "holy crap I'm passing!" and then someone comes up and starts talking about trans stuff.
But then again beauty standards are only going up up up and more women are gonna face misgendering.

[Cindy J Angel]

Well i have seen some but not to many. There is one girl thats transitioning . I am one that likes to talk to people. I just walk up and say hi tell them my name and asked whats up how are u doing. If thay went to talk thay will. u dont aver say i see your tran cdr or crap like that. You treat them as a person that you went to know. As you male self would u go up to a guy or a lady and be rude no you would not. But you still talk to people that you dont know. It the same. Hell that mite have pegged u. And went to talk so dont aver walk a way u just mite find a friend. I did love cindy

[Ann Louise]

I think I can tell pretty readily I'm in the presence of a fellow trans person. I certainly don't need to rehash here all the various anatomical "tells." I would probably never walk up to an unknown trans sister and introduce myself in a fashion that was obviously based on our mutual "transness," though, unless the venue, like a Pride day brought us together. Nice eye contact, a glimmer of recognition, maybe a quiet "hi" and that's all for me.

[Eryn]

Frankly, I very seldom identify a trans person with any certainty. I may be suspicious of a few individuals, but there are enough GGs out there with masculine features that I never know for sure.

[Rachelakld]

About 15 per week when I'm in the city.
I often work in an area that at night is "Shady" but during the day is vibrant and alternative.
At my usually coffee shop, they sit alone, but as the evening wears on, they have meet up pubs & clubs
A lot are extra girly-girl, so B iching is every 8 seconds.

About 1 a week when I'm out of the city, these girls are fun and friendly during the day with larger than life personalities, often working in clothing retail, some have office jobs.

OH ya, and when I talk to them, it's never about Trans stuff, it's about how their day is going, what are they up to (I did walk in to a group once who were doing singing practice for their church, absolute fun, broke every funny bone in my body)

[Starling]

I've seen a few FTM folk out and about, but more MTFs. Some at the LGBT Center, of course, but the clients are mostly gay, and I'm almost always the only transwoman. I did one day sit across from an absolutely stunning young lady in the waiting room, but I would never in a million years act on my transdar, even to make a compliment--just as I wouldn't want anyone to do it to me. After all, polite human discourse seldom includes questioning others about their gender or sexual preference.

:) Lallie

[Jorja]

I have 20 transgendered girls working for me. The only time I clock them is when they arrive at or leave from work. ;)

[Kaitlyn Michele]

Wait a second.. the only job i can think of where 20 tgirls are working is....oh never mind...

[Jorja]

Get your mind out of the gutter, dear!:)

[Dianne S]

As Rianna said, I think of punching someone in the face when I hear the phrase "to clock someone". :) So I use the phrase "to read someone" instead.

For me, I've read trans people "in the wild" three times... two were unmistakable and one I wasn't sure about. I think one was a crossdresser and two were transsexuals. (I'm not counting the times I've seen obvious crossdressers who do it as a joke or for Halloween; I'm talking about people who attempt to blend in.)

I've probably seen lots of trans people without even having a clue that they're trans.

[whowhatwhen]

It kinda makes me wonder how often I'm read as trans but I guess it's one of those things you'll never find out the answer to.

[Frances]

I see trans people... quite often.

But, as Kaitlyn says, they may not be. I don't verify my impressions.

[Meghan4now]

Every time I run a drag race!

[Starling]

I see trans people...

You have a Sixth Sense, eh?

:) Lallie

[Nicole Erin]

Over here, another meaning of to clock someone is to hit them in the face. I wouldn't want to be arrested :heehee:

No doubt huh?
Every time I hear "clocking" someone, it makes me think of having like this wall clock in hand and smacking them with it.
Yes I am stupid.

[Starling]

...I've read trans people "in the wild" three times... two were unmistakable and one I wasn't sure about. I think one was a crossdresser and two were transsexuals...

What are specifically crossdresser tells? For me it would be opaque tights, long sleeves and too much thick makeup, in addition to age-inappropriate clothing. Not saying that all CDers display those signs, but many do.

:) Lallie

[Promethea]

Well, the only thing I pass is gas, so I wouldn't be offended if someone read me. Usually my reaction is either asking if they figured that out on their own, or acting surprised, reaching for my crotch and saying "Wha... Wa... Wha... Where the hell did THAT come from?!?!". What does offend me more is when I'm treated as something other than a trans woman, namely a gay man or a man dressed as a woman. What I've been doing when I get misgendered and I get a certain type of "vibe" from the person is act surprised that they're gendering me as male and stand on my ground of being a woman, with no mention to my trans status. It works surprisingly well.

But I'm drifting away from the main topic. I know not everybody has my thick skin, so I wouldn't approach anyone just because they seemed trans, specially if they passed "quite well". And then, there's the many many ciswomen who have all those tells that supposedly mean you're trans. I know a bunch of those. One of them is my cousin. She gets read as trans pretty often, despite having popped out two little humans already.

To be honest, the whole obsession with passing (and that transpassing subreddit) is, for me, the worst we trans people (specially trans women) can do to ourselves.

[Dianne S]

What are specifically crossdresser tells?

I can't put my finger on it, but something didn't seem right. Perhaps she was TS but new to going out, so still nervous with a deer-in-the-headlights attitude.

[Starling]

Yeah, Dianne, there's nothing like that first "do or die" experience. At this point, though, I feel much more comfortable and centered going out full-on as myself than as my androgynous alternative. What's more conspicuous, an old man with no arm or leg hair and longish nails wearing articles of women's clothing, or a definitely-not-beautiful, but somewhat younger-looking woman? Wonderful things happen to my face and body when I'm me. I long for the day I can go full time and purge the boy clothes.

And it doesn't bother me to be read by strangers, which will happen more often than I'd like, but I do worry about being spotted by old friends I haven't come out to yet; it's embarrassing for them, and unfair.

:) Lallie

PS: I hope I didn't come off as mean when discussing CD tells. I've been there myself.

[Jorja]

If you know you will be read by a stranger, make it an interesting story. ;)

[Starling]

Let's see, the strangers get: "Someone gave you a bum steer, Bud. I've been a gal all my life."

The friends get: "It's not me. Don't believe your lying eyes. But watch your email."

:) Lallie

[whowhatwhen]

No one has said anything to me but I did get some funny "oh my god" kind of surprised looks when my grandma corrected someone who referred to me as "she".

[Sammy777]

I have an extremely keen eye, but I would have to say, no very many at all.
Either all the girls in my area CD and TS alike are all very passable or there just isn't to many of us.
Although, when I am out my first concern is doing whatever it is I'm out to do that day and not spending my time doing pan and scans of the general public looking for another TS or CD.


What are specifically crossdresser tells? For me it would be opaque tights, long sleeves and too much thick makeup, in addition to age-inappropriate clothing. Not saying that all CDers display those signs, but many do.
I wouldn't exactly call opaque tights a "CD'er flag" as they are quite popular these days with women of all ages.
I happen to love solid and/or patterned opaque tights for many reasons, especially in the colder seasons here in the Northeast.

If you wanted to peg a certain type of hosiery that is considered more of a "CD flag" might I suggest shinny tan/nude pantyhose.
The kind that seems to only be favored by CD'ers .............. and those that thought up the "uniform" for Hooter's Girls.

Again Long Sleeves?
I wonder, does liking long sleeve tees and tops, over sized hoodies and flannel shirts flag me as a CD'er too or just a stereotypical Dyke?

too much thick makeup, in addition to age-inappropriate clothing.
OK, I may have to give you those two.
But as long as we are talking about "not all CD'ers" why not add wearing a prom dress to the mall to your sweeping generalizations. :lol2:

[Promethea]

my grandma corrected someone who referred to me as "she".

I'm sorry for your loss.
What? She hasn't...? You didn't...? I would have...

[whowhatwhen]

To be fair I hadn't told her anything about me yet and unfortunately she has alzheimers so she probably wouldn't really remember either :(
Not sure how to handle that one really.

[Jorja]

I think the Beatles said it best www, let it be

[Starling]

...I wouldn't exactly call opaque tights a "CD'er flag" as they are quite popular these days with women of all ages.
I happen to love solid and/or patterned opaque tights for many reasons, especially in the colder seasons here in the Northeast.

If you wanted to peg a certain type of hosiery that is considered more of a "CD flag" might I suggest shinny tan/nude pantyhose.
The kind that seems to only be favored by CD'ers .............. and those that thought up the "uniform" for Hooter's Girls.

Again Long Sleeves?
I wonder, does liking long sleeve tees and tops, over sized hoodies and flannel shirts flag me as a CD'er too or just a stereotypical Dyke?

too much thick makeup, in addition to age-inappropriate clothing.
OK, I may have to give you those two.
But as long as we are talking about "not all CD'ers" why not add wearing a prom dress to the mall to your sweeping generalizations. :lol2:

Sorry Sammy, I didn't mean to offend. Perhaps I didn't include enough detail. Shiny tan pantyhose yes, of course, especially over another, opaque, pair of hose to cover leg hair. Maxi-support hose is also part of the waitress uniform in general. The import of my comment was that TS are more likely to shave their legs all year 'round than CD. And again, a certain long-sleeve look--e.g., a thickish knit top worn under a summery halter dress--says CD to me, although not a CD who is very committed to full female emulation.

I think part of the difference between male crossdressing for pleasure and identifying and presenting as female, hopefully full time, is that you have to be practical in what you wear, because nobody wants to get dressed up everyday--especially after being spoiled by living as a man for years.

My final comment, and I mean it sincerely, is that I wish I could ever look as good as most of the MTF CD on this board.

:) Lallie

PS: I for one would like to see more prom dresses at the mall. I like to look at beautiful costumes, whether worn by a beautiful man or a beautiful woman.

PPS: I'm sure I have failed to spot a number of TS and CD folk, because of how well they presented.

[LeaP]

My final comment, and I mean it sincerely, is that I wish I could ever look as good as most of the MTF CD on this board.


I can't agree with this. I once thought so, but CD cherry-pick their pictures just as do TS. As I've met CDs in real life, any impressions I had of their appearance as a group was destroyed. Completely. I'll take the natural look of most trans women any day of the week. Different look. Different gestures. Different speech. Different posture and walk (well, more so on this one). The face may or may have as much makeup, but it's on a face where HRT has made subtle changes. Ditto the body. Different attitude and responses. These differences combine to a different impression.

Recalling my first CD function, there was one other TS in attendance. I clocked her as different from the rest within seconds of walking in, though I didn't know why until later. It made a strong impression and it has been confirmed since over and over. Lest anyone think that *I* think the TS community is populated by the bright and beautiful ... um, no. And we have our share of marginal people, which a visit to most support groups will demonstrate.

So this is about the manifestation of core differences. Men vs women. It shows.

[Sammy777]

Sorry Sammy, I didn't mean to offend. Perhaps I didn't include enough detail.

The import of my comment was that TS are more likely to shave their legs all year 'round than CD.

No Worries Lallie :D
Believe me, I wasn't offended, just ranting a bit. Getting easily offended was never one of my traits. :lol2:

Shave? Legs? During Northeast winters? Maybe from the knee down. :heehee:
I know quite a few (GG) girls both single and dating, straight and not so straight, who regularly do that or skip shaving on a regular basis during the winter. Jeans and Tights are a girl's best friend in the winter. But Shhhhh!! Don't tell no one! :lol2:

We are by no means perfect creatures, we just like to keep men believing that we are. :D

[Kaitlyn Michele]

The summer prior to my realization that i was ts and going to transition i was separated from my wife and living in an apartment complex...its was about 90 degrees and humid...
i was obsessed with going to the pool "Dressed"...i was actually experiencing "the bell is rung" but i didn't know what that was and this was how it was hitting me... it was summer, i felt i could not shave my hairy legs... well........

i bought three pair of the shiniest most opaque tights i could find...toeless... i painted my toenails...tucked like never before put on my bathing suit, wig makeup...a big floppy hat and walked to the pool....I was sweating like crazy..it was very uncomfortable...i think i even had a waist cincher on...i looked like an idiot

i got there and there were about a dozen people...i sat down on a lawn chair and the lifeguard came towards me and asked me fill out the sign in form....i almost vomited...

i was so nervous i was shaking, i pulled a magazine to read while i got some sun (which was making my legs feel like cooked sausage). and i quickly got up and left...

it was a horrible experience from soup to nuts...i couldn't get it out of my mind...i would wince and hate myself for how stupid it was, how pathetic it was etc... but also i HAD to do it...i was thinking about this for months...it felt like it was all i could think about

these needs kept coming at me in waves...check into a hotel...go to a club....go to the mall ....strike up a conversation.... once they got into my head, they stayed there....of course later on i was in therapy and the idea that i was transsexual kept coming at me in waves too...but how could that be?? i was clearly an obsessed crossdresser i kept telling myself...i did alot of really stupid and degrading things before i admitted what i was to myself.

so next time you see those shiny danskins.............hehe

+++++++++++++

btw i had the exact same experience as lea....i went to a cd oriented conference and noticed all the crossdressers and i didn't relate to them at all...
its funny because one of the things that happened was i was hit on ALOT (alot more than since transition lol) by the CD's there....and here is a funny part...lets be honest and say some of them were adorable and put together, most of them were NOT....and they were oblivious to sitting in a chair in a mini dress with their legs splayed out in their 6 inch heels and fat handles sticking out of their bustiers, super long purple nails....."hi darling you are stunning...are you full time?" one guy said....on one hand UGH!!!
on the other i kept thinking to myself about how he said."Are you full time??" those words stunned and terrified me as much as i loved hearing them......gender dysphoria...what a fricking thing to have....

[Promethea]

To be fair I hadn't told her anything about me yet and unfortunately she has alzheimers so she probably wouldn't really remember either :(
Not sure how to handle that one really.

Ugh, I'm sorry, I didn't know. I still don't know what to do about my grandparents, and they are healthy...

[Starling]

...I'll take the natural look of most trans women any day of the week. Different look. Different gestures. Different speech. Different posture and walk (well, more so on this one)...So this is about the manifestation of core differences. Men vs women. It shows.

Of course this is true, Lea, but we were talking about brief encounters in the wild, not in close quarters in a group of MTFs of one stripe or another. I'm always aware of my femaleness, regardless of what I'm wearing, and have always moved and gestured the way I felt--except when I happen to be applying strict male behavior imitation, in my role as a secret female agent among men, like a cabin "boy" on a pirate ship.

:) Lallie

[becky77]

There are those that wear opaque tights to hide hairy legs, but I find many CDers are extremely particular about being smooth. Come winter I live in thick tights or Jeans and if i'm honest i'm a bit lax on my leg hair, it's winter who is going to see and I have no partner, since hormones it's not the thick leg hair of a man anymore. Now in my experience crossdresses are appalled at this, but it's rather more common in GG's than people like to think.
A woman on a TV programme the other day admitted to shaving her legs upto the jeans line and leaving the rest. So what I am saying is there is more of an obsession with shaved legs in CDers than elsewhere.
I think it's hard to judge and the ones that are out and about are those that feel that need, some end up realising they are TS.

Also in the UK, it's the norm to wear thick black tights in winter, usually with boots. However it's extremely unlikely to see someone in summer wearing those shinney opaque tan tights lol.

I will agree having tried in the early days to find a comrade in this, that the only person I ever got on with at a Trans venue was another TS, otherwise I just never fitted in.

OMG Kaitlyn that story made me cringe!

As for spotting someone (clocking is a horrid word), sometimes I do if they are unfortunate to have strong masculine features, but you still just never know. Otherwise no as I'm not looking for it, they would have to be right in front of me to notice. I do sometimes see in Shopping centres CDers, the difference can be subtle but they are usually in a group and they have a tendency to be slightly over feminine in clothes. I don't believe I have ever seen a GG shopping in thigh high stiletto boots for example. The rest obviously blend well enough for me not to notice.

[Starling]

Yeah becky, traveling in groups is sort of a giveaway, isn't it? Especially since the group is only as passable as its least passable member. As far as leg-shaving in concerned, let's not bring in the GGs, because they got female on a silver platter. I think we have more invested in our day-to-day presentability. I don't really care if I'm clocked, but I don't want to look like a slob. I have my pride. By the way, I'm one of the lucky ones who naturally has no masculine arm or leg hair, but I'd happily trade that for having hair on my head.

:) Lallie

[CONSUELO]

My most interesting encounters with other cross dresser both occurred in small towns in the UK. One was in a coffee shop where she was with a friend and chatting unconcernedly. The other was in a small town in SW England and she was in a wheel chair.

What really struck me about both occasions is that they were perfectly ordinary and no one around seemed the least bit interested or concerned. I liked that.