Sarah L. wrote:I have decided to go to the mall dressed.
The mall I will be going to is empty most of the time. Most of the stores have moved out.There is only a couple of restaurants left in the food court.It shouldn't be too much exposure.It will also be Friday morning,so there will be alot of people at work.I should be off.
Sarah,
It sounds like you have thought this out well.
A less busy mall
Week day morning is normally a slower shopping time
Kids should be in school, no groups of teens
Is this mall also a ways from your home or out of town to minimize your chance of running into someone you know? Or do you not see running into someone you know as a potential issue? From almost all of the pics I have seen here, any of them would have few to mostly no issues. Your nervous actions will most like draw more attention.
IMHO being out and about is mostly mentally within your mind. Your personal acceptance of yourself and what you are doing and your attitude about doing it. IMHO your personal acceptance and attitude shows through your actions, movements and speech. Being nervous is ok. You will be.
Expect some looks and maybe some comments. But just go about your own business and repeat to yourself "it does not matter what they think" or "it is ok for me to be doing this".
In my experience if you have a blending look similar to the look that most others have at the mall, most will not even see you as you walk down through the mall. Yes they will see you as a person walking through the mall, but unless there is something that really sticks out, most will not take a second look at you. You are a person in their crowd of life. Those that happen to look a bit closer may do a double take and and most will give you a questioning look and move on. In my experience very few will comment, and some will comment or laugh after passing. I have yet to be approached by anyone just walking and most of the comments and laughs I have gotten were early on in my going out or when in a guy in a dress look. I still get lots of questioning looks but do not care. I figure I am giving them a different exposure of what a TG/CD is as apposed to that they have seen on the news or via society mis-information. If being near home and those I know my main concern is that my male identity is concealed not the fact that I am male.
Voice as others have said, just speak softer at a lower volume, slower and clearly. Trying to disguise it will often make it worse IMHO.
If someone says "That's a man!", unless they are coming at you angry with a pitch fork and torch, just ignore them and go about your business. IMHO if you look and confirm what they said you may get more comments and responses. Ignoring them and going about your business makes them question what they said as being true.
If you feel brave pop into the front of a store or two and briefly check out what is on the first rack, then turn and leave. Doing it briefly usually does not allow an SA enough time to get to you. But if they do, a "just looking" usually fends them off unless you get the what is on sale pitch or move into the store more. But SA's in most cases are your friend. They may get a sudden surprised look when they make you. But do not run. I have yet to have an SA that did not treat me professionally or better. Mostly just like another customer and often it seems better than other GG customers.
Enjoy the experience otherwise it is not worth it.
kimberlys-cd
joe in a skirt
