Got me thinking

[Helen_Highwater]

Most mornings I get the opportunity to wear a skirt/top and sit eating my breakfast in the front lounge. In recent days I?ve noticed that as I sit down, I instinctively do the skirt straightening before sitting and then automatically cross my legs at the knee simultaneously pulling the hem of the skirt down to cover my knee.

Now there have been numerous discussions about feeling womanly and whether it?s ever possible for us to truly know how women feel. However, I did start to consider whether or not, as we spend more and more time enfemme, we get to the point that?s perhaps more akin to someone who?s lived in a country for so long that they become a naturalised citizen.

They will always have the history of their lives in the mother country, memories and customs will stay with them, they may never entirely lose their accent and certainly remember how to speak the language.

So, are we more like ?naturalised? females? We adopt the mannerisms, the culture, learn to speak the new language, try to assimilate ourselves into the society of women. Like naturalised citizens, we weren?t born into the society but we respect and admire it so much we want to be a part of it.

[Joanie CD]

I LOVE the phrase "naturalized females" (sorry for the US spelling). It really gets down to what a lot of us are, and do. Thanks!!

[Cheshire girl]

Yes Helen! We do become more feminised. I find that wearing impractical clothes and shoes helps me remember to act in a feminine way. Although unlike you l’m gravitating to flatter shoes I do find that wearing even a two inch heel helps me maintain a girly walk.

[Sometimes Steffi]

I've been watching reruns of Wagon Train. I'm always amazed how naturally the women (or should I say the actresses playing the women) hold their skirt up when they need to move quickly. Or how naturally they hop on a horse and ride it astride.

[alwayshave]

Helen, Like you I sit differently. All my mannerisms really do change.

[SophiaRose]

My hips are such that crossing my legs is natural and most comfortable. I used to be self conscious about it, especially at work. At some point I said "screw it!" and started to embrace the way it helped me feel feminine while in male mode. When I dress I love the fact that I don't have to think and I feel/look more femme. One small genetic victory!

[Sometimes Steffi]

I used to be able to double cross my legs easily. Since I stopped taking yoga, I can still do it, but it's not quite as comfortable as it used to be.

[Cheryl T]

I think your description is very good.
I've been this way a very long time and my mannerisms are surely more on the feminine side. I actually spend far more time thinking about how I move, sit and such when I'm drab than I do when dressed. It's just so natural for me now. Smoothing a skirt, crossing legs, sitting with crossed ankles, how I enter and exit a car are just automatic anymore and I have to make sure "he" doesn't do these things and draw attention.

[Stephanie47]

I think females as they are aging from toddler to adult are constantly reminded by older women, either by oral explanation or observation, to act in certain ways. I always observed a woman smoothing the back of her dress, pulling down its hem, crossing legs, etc. How many times has a young girl been told to keep her knees together and not show her panty. Watch a woman entering a car in a dress and it's different than a guy wearing pants. After awhile I think a man emulating a woman goes from trying to remember to do something and then it just happens. Watch a woman attired in pants and she still has the mannerism as if she is wearing a dress.

[Jane G]

Those learned female actions, that become natural over the years, simply affirm who we are at times. It fun to notice them from time to time and enjoy the re- affirmation.

[kimdl93]

I suppose there are the consciously adopted mannerisms, but some of us may also exhibit mannerisms that might be deemed feminine without being aware of it.

[Helen_Highwater]

Today in drab I attended a dentist appointment. receptionist directed me to the waiting room, I sat down and crossed my legs but instinctively they crossed at the ankle. Seems clothes do maketh the man or woman.

[SophiaRose]

I think it can easily go beyond physical mannerisms. Since I've accepted this side of myself I feel more open and have gradually taken on some social mannerisms that many of my female friends and family have. I almost blurted out to a colleague at work "I love your necklace and how it goes with your blouse!" That would have been awkward... Behaving feminine is also a huge piece to our puzzled selves.

[Jasmine23]

I find that as soon as I slip on a pair of heels there's an almost instant change in my mindset, firstly they completely change my stance and posture to a more feminine one, this makes me feel more feminine and I begin to think and act more femininely, standing with my legs close together, taking smaller steps, sitting with legs together or crossed, etc, altogether I feel more feminine and take on feminine mannerisms.

I also found in the past that the more time I spent in women's company I began to take on more feminine mannerisms. I once had a job where I was the only guy in a group of about 15, after a few months I noticed my mannerisms had become more feminine, I was mirroring their movements. After about 6 months I moved on to a different job with mainly men and I quickly lost my feminine mannerisms. I do find if I'm ever in the company of women for any duration I quickly fall back into feminine mannerisms

[Kayy]

I suppose there are the consciously adopted mannerisms, but some of us may also exhibit mannerisms that might be deemed feminine without being aware of it.

I have always crossed my legs and sat with knees close together, whatever mode I’m in. It was an American acquaintance who pointed out that if I did that in the states, people would think I was gay. No one in the Uk has ever commented on it, so I guess it’s as much culture as gender, any thoughts?

[daphne g]

I’ live in another country for the last 33 years and normally have only contact to these people so I behave like these people
As for the ladie things I’ve picked some of the things up but I wouldn’t say that it makes me more womanly
I do cross my legs and maybe put them to the side and straighten my dress when sitting I might also try to sit straight and be more composed than normal ,I honestly think I do this naturally and not trying to be a lady
The funny thing is that when I get out I’m only in costume for the Karneval like dressing up so I have to try not to do these things,it might get the others thinking although I think most of them have put 2 and 2 together