Joanie CD
01-18-2025, 11:31 AM
So yesterday I dressed up in jeans and a bright pink sweater, with my short black booties. I thought I looked pretty decent. After agonizing over where to go for lunch, I decided to go to a ramen restaurant that opened up recently, not far from where I live. After I got seated at a table for two along the wall, two young women came in and were seated at the next table. The woman facing me was the daughter of friends of ours, her sister is one of my daughter's best friends, and so we know each other well, but she did not know about Joanie. I thought she would recognize me and say hello, since it felt like she was looking right at me, but she and her friend were in a conversation. After I settled my bill, I went over to say hello, and I could see it took a second for my (drab) face to register. Once she recognized me, she jumped up for a hug, and we had a nice visit. She introduced me to her friend, and said "this is an old family friend....". She paused just for a second so I could say "Joanie", and I loved her for that. One more person I'm out to! Well, two, really, if I run into her friend again. I really have gotten to the point where I don't care if I run into someone who doesn't yet know Joanie. The "boring" part, as in my previous "boring" post, is that it was a normal lunch out and nothing would have been different if A. I was in drab, or B. I was a GG. The non-boring part is this is exactly what I'm looking for -- to present as a woman and not be treated any differently than anyone else.
I then went to Michael's looking for foam rubber (unsuccessfully), and on leaving an older couple were coming in the door. The man held the door for his wife, then held it for me and said "get on through, girl". I loved it!
To cap off the afternoon, I went through a drive-through where they have people taking orders in the line, and the young women "ma'am"ed me. Honestly I don't think I pass that well, but I think that having confidence in presenting my female self makes a huge difference.
I then went to Michael's looking for foam rubber (unsuccessfully), and on leaving an older couple were coming in the door. The man held the door for his wife, then held it for me and said "get on through, girl". I loved it!
To cap off the afternoon, I went through a drive-through where they have people taking orders in the line, and the young women "ma'am"ed me. Honestly I don't think I pass that well, but I think that having confidence in presenting my female self makes a huge difference.