Coloradan, meet New York Stater (and Illinoisan). Of course we expect to be treated with respect everywhere, It's a part of the "societal social contract" here. Isn't it there?
It's not that we're special, it's just expected that people be polite, to everyone.just because you're somehow f***ing special.
Sure, there's no law but there's an unspoken and unwritten "social contract", which changes over time.It's nice when it happens; folks should treat others with respect; and it would certainly make a nicer society. But there's no law.
They can think whatever they want, write whatever they want, but in retail relationships, business dealings, employment, housing, or just being out in public they'd better follow the rules (both written and unwritten) and social contracts.Do they not have a right to their own opinions? Do they not have the same right to free speech as you? (At least, while it lasts...)
You do what you're expected to do and what you've learned to do, and in some cases actually taught to do, you use ma'am.Put yourself in someone else's shoes for a change. Hmm... I see a man in a dress. Man is the operative term. A man in a dress is a man, not a woman. Now what do you do?
For some of us, the pronouns are important.Secondly, we're not all so hung up on pronouns. I don't care what someone calls me. On the same night, I'll get sir, miss, and ma'am.
No one should get it. People can think what they want, but there's unwritten social contracts. And around here they include, "don't be a rude asshole, be polite to everyone." It's a part of "fitting in"So a retail minion directs a snide remark your way. Welcome to Earth. Fat people get it. Teenagers. Goths. Yuppies. Mexicans. You're not special.
How is it arrogant or haughty when that is what happens. You come here and go out crossdressed you WILL be addressed as Ma'am or Miss. Anyone who doesn't address you so has either not been paying attention (ignorance) or is being intentionally rude.And yes, to go about with the expectation that you should be addressed in a certain way, and to expect everyone to know it -- by extension, expecting to NOT be offended -- is arrogant. Haughty. False sense of entitlement.
I expect people to know the proper behavior in regards to us, the same way I expect people not to use nasty racial epithets in public or to not call persons with Downs syndrome the "r" word.
Veronica
Rondelle (Ron) Rogers Jr.