The "man in a skirt" phenomenon

[jjjjohanne]

What I do:
I present male. When I get an opportunity, I will wear all women's wear. Normally a skirt, top, hose and shoes. Sometimes I wear heels. No breasts, no purse, no wig or makeup. I wear clothes that are similar to what I wear in boy-mode. No flowers or lace. Normally plain colors. Knee length skirts. I do not think I try to be in-your-face about things. At least, I hope I don't...

Where I have worn a skirt in public:
I have gone out to the mall and other stores. I have eaten at a restaurant a couple times. A hair cut once. Flown pretty. Gone to the bank. I have attended a TG meeting once. I attended a couple meetings that was in no way crossdressing related.

My motivations:
I have never wanted to be a girl, except when I was a kid and I thought that was the only way to be allowed to wear girls' clothes. I used to only dress up in the house. I started getting the urge to go out. Those urges keep pushing me farther out. When I was in public wearing shorts and hose, I would be disappointed if no one noticed. But I believe it is correct that I do not want to be shocking. I suppose if you are not interested in ever going back to the same place again, then you are more interested in shock value.

My experiences:
Most people try not to stare. Some people nudge their friends to get them to look. Most people move on after getting their look. Two times has someone laughed out loud at me. Once a store clerk told me she preferred how I did not try to present female. I tried to explain to her that for some CDs, becoming a girl was what it was all about. For me it was just about the clothes and the feeling of them.
When I have had a reason to interact with someone, they were professional with me. Almost no one seemed to be disgusted or offended. After they soak in my appearance, I think they only react to my personality afterward.
People will say "Hi" in response to me. Seldom (or never) will the general public initiate a greeting. Twice did someone approach me in a store for help because I was wearing a lanyard. (It was holding my keys and money -- no pockets or purse.) My skirt did not keep them away.
I have never had any negative reaction on this website. I have only had people on this forum say they do not understand why I would dress up without presenting female. That is a decent response.

Moral of the story:
None.