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!!!!

[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.