I'll admit that my experiences going out crossdressed probably vary greatly from those of most on here, though I have gone out in total femme mode too. For me, I can't deny that when I'm out in skirts or other women's clothes, that what I'm doing is at least for most people considered "weird."
But like you in the convenience store, I try to make it a point to send out signals that even though I am dressed unusually, I'm otherwise just a person out and about.
For me there's a difference between "weird" and "bad" or "unacceptable." Pretty much anyone who ever made a difference in the world was weird in one way or another, so I definitely find it acceptable to be weird.
I posted recently about a TG lady who comes into my store, and is way over the top with her movements and her personality and basically seems to go out of her way to be off-putting and rude. I find this unacceptable regardless of how anyone dresses.
On a side note, I think your "coffee afterwards" comments were a really valid point for why CDers *should* be getting out into the world. Support group meetings or designated "girl's" nights at specific clubs are great for getting the courage to go out initially, but eventually it does feel sort of like "ok, we're all crossdressers, now what?" Where as when you finally go out into the real world, You're really just being yourself and happen to be dressed the way you want. And every time that happens and the world doesn't come crumbling down is good for the crossdressers and good for those who don't normally experience us.
