Something about New Jersey 'culture'. We're all raised with sarcasm. Deep, unending sarcasm that is seemingly cruel to outside observers but in truth belies a deep connection between friends and family. When a person from NJ is being sarcastic to you, or with you, it is an affirmation that you are 'in' on it, that you're part of the intimate circle, that they love you because of your 'flaws' rather than in spite of them.
Last night our son stopped by. He sees me fairly regularly in feminine clothing, never 'done up'. Usually, when he's around, it is Sunday dinner and I'm 'dressed down' in casual whatever with little or no make-up (as in some of the photos in the "At your worst" thread). After some chit chat, I said 'hey, can I show you a picture?' I showed him the photo that my wife took that I'm now using as a profile picture.
He gave a sincere "Oh, wow!" Followed by a huge smile and a "Look at YOU!" I think he was pleasantly shocked.
I very, very seldom drink, and in that photo I happen to be holding a beer. He went on to say "Complete with beer and all … oh, 'he' doesn't drink, but 'she' does! … 'she' drinks while 'he' does the dishes!" and back and forth like that we went with huge smiles and laughs.
He then went on to say that on Sunday he was bringing a girl friend over that we hadn't met yet (casual friends with benefits type of situation). My wife said "I'll be good." Meaning that she wouldn't be overly critical of her, nor overly protective of him. I said "And I'll be male." Lol. He quickly went on to say "hey, she's cool like that, you be how you want to be.
I expect I'll feel a little more comfortable in drab on a first meeting of this girl, but meh … who knows.